ACTIVIN AND BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN (BMP) SIGNALING DURING TOOTH DEVELOPMENT

Activins and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transfor ming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of structurally related cytokines. Results of recent in vivo and in vitro studies suggest tha t activin A, several BMPs, and their cell surface receptors may partic ipate in tooth development. In addition, follistatin, an extracellular protein that may interact with activin and BMP signaling, appears to be involved. This review focuses on recent advances In relation to the roles of activin/BMP receptors, their ligands and extracellular modif iers during tooth development.