Orai1 Expression Pattern in Tooth and Craniofacial Ectodermal Tissues and Potential Functions During Ameloblast Differentiation

The study investigated the role of Orai1 in ameloblast differentiation and its expression in developing mouse teeth. Orai1 was found to be crucial for ameloblast differentiation, as its knockdown in HAT-7 ameloblastic cells led to an 80% reduction in Orai1 mRNA and protein levels, significantly decreasing cell proliferation and the expression of key differentiation markers like dentin sialoprotein, amelogenin, and ameloblastin. This suggested that Orai1 played a vital role in calcium-dependent gene expression during ameloblast differentiation, potentially affecting enamel formation and contributing to tooth defects in conditions such as ectodermal dysplasia. The study highlighted Orai1's importance in regulating gene expression and matrix formation in enamel development, although the exact genetic pathways remained unclear.