To figure out how the body changes over time, researchers are increasingly looking to understand epigenetics, the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. This scientific endeavor extends to teeth as well.

Associate Dean of Research Yang Chai PhD ’91, DDS ’96 has had an article published in eLife called “Antagonistic interaction between Ezh2 and Arid1a coordinates root pattering and development via Cdkn2a in mouse molars.”

In the article, Chai reports that he and his colleagues discovered that epigenetic regulation can control tooth root patterning and development. “This is an aspect that doesn’t involve the change in DNA sequence, but it’s basically through the control where you make the genes available or unavailable for transcription, which can determine the pattern,” he explains.

A protein called Ezh2 helps the bones of the face to develop, but it was not known how it affects tooth root development, the authors write. So the team looked at what happens when Ezh2 is not present in the molar teeth of developing mice. They found that a protein called Ezh2 and another one called Arid1a must be in balance to establish the tooth root pattern and the proper integration of roots with the jaw bones.

A NEW KIND OF DENTAL IMPLANT

Chai says the new work is motivating. “I feel excited about this because, through human evolution, there are changes in our diet and environment that can influence our epigenome — the ways our genes are regulated — and you can clearly see a difference between the root formation of our dentition versus Neanderthals.” Neanderthal molars have longer root trunks than the ones seen in anatomically modern humans and show late splitting of the roots, which could be due to the pressure of diet and exercise on the proteins that turn the genes on and off.

The balance of regulators also has a hand in disease and wellness. In different types of cancer, research has shown that the balance of two opposing epigenetic regulators is quite important. Knocking out one regulator can create cancer, Chai says, but modulating its opposing regulator can stop the cancer. “These epigenetic regulators, which are not changing the DNA sequences, are important in themselves, but their level of activity is also important,” he says. “Basically you can’t have too much or too little — if the balance is off track, then you get developmental problems or disease.”

The ultimate goal of Chai’s research on tooth development regulation is to regrow teeth — but generating an entire tooth is very challenging because it takes a long time for nature to build a tooth from development to eruption, Chai explains. So he aims to find ways to regenerate a molar root and put a crown on top. “It would be the best of both worlds: a natural integration of the root with the jawbone with the periodontal ligament in place, and a reduction in the amount of time we need by using just a crown to restore function.”