Collagen type I trimer synthesis by cultured embryonic mouse molars.

Embryonic mouse tooth germs were cultured in vitro and the collagens type I, type III and type I trimer were purified and biochemically characterized. Collagen type I trimer has been identified by means of CM-cellulose chromatography, CNBr peptide analysis, pepsin resistance and molecular sieve chromatography. Already before the odontoblasts were functional, this molecule was found to be a constituent of the dental extracellular matrix. However, the synthesis of collagen type I trimer was considerably increased when odontoblasts polarized and became functional. the incorporation of 5-bromodeoxyuridine into the dental cells inhibited the polarization of odontoblasts as well as the amplification of collagen type I and type I trimer synthesis.