Comparison of the effects of carboxyl-terminal parathyroid hormone peptide[53-84] and aminoterminal peptide[1-34] on mouse tooth germ in vitro

The biological activity of carboxyl-terminal parathyroid hormone peptide[53-84] (PTH[53-84]) and aminoterminal peptide [1-34] (PTH[1-34]) during cultivation of the lower molar tooth germ from mouse embryos was examined. PTH[1-34] increased alkaline phosphatase activity in the tooth germ at an early developmental stage (early to advanced bell stage), and decreased it at a late developmental stage (advanced to late bell stage). On the other hand, PTH[53-84] decreased alkaline phosphatase activity at the early stage and increased it at the late stage. Thus, both PTH fragments had distinct effects on tooth development in vitro, which were confirmed by histological observation of their marked effects on the formation of dentine and enamel. These results show that PTH[53-84] has biological activity in the murine tooth germ, opposite to the action of PTH[1-34].