Résumé
Protocadherins are transmembrane glycoproteins belonging to the cadherin superfamily of molecules, which are involved in many biological processes such as cell adhesion, cytoskeletal organization and morphogenesis. Protocadherins generally exhibit only moderate adhesive activity and are highly expressed in the nervous system. Here, we report on the expression pattern of two novel families of protocadherins (CNRs and Pcdh-γ) during rodent teeth development. Furthermore, we compare their expression with that of reelin, which is the potential ligand of CNRs. Throughout odontogenesis, CNRs, Pcdh-γ and reelin show dynamic spatiotemporal expression patterns, which relate to both morphogenesis and cell differentiation events.