Transcriptional regulation of dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) by AP-1 (c-fos/c-jun) factors

Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is an extracellular matrix phosphoprotein whose expression is precisely controlled temporally and spatially during the differentiation of the odontoblasts. Odontoblasts are postmitotic cells that differentiate to mature polarized cells and are responsible for the synthesis of a calcified dentin matrix. Although the DMP1 promoter has been isolated from the mouse and the rat, little is actually known about their control by specific transcription factors. Analysis of the rat DMP1 promoter has identified several regulatory transcription factors. These factors include AP-1 family members, SP1 and ETS. Therefore the transcription of DMP1 may be controlled positively or negatively by a variety of stimuli resulting in a developmentally regulated gene expression. This study demonstrates the role of c-fos and c-jun on the transcriptional regulation of DMP1 gene.