Transcriptomic profiling of the adult reptilian dentition sheds light on the genes regulating indefinite tooth replacement [scRNA-seq]. Transcriptomic profiling of the adult reptilian dentition sheds light on the genes regulating indefinite tooth replacement [scRNA-seq]

The aim of this study is to discover new genes and cells involved in life-long tooth replacement. Here we study the adult dentition of the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius). Single cell RNA-seq was carried out on jaw segments containing the dental forming tissues. One week prior to isolating the cells from the two animals, the developing, unerupted teeth were plucked out of the connective tissue in one part of the jaw. Other regions of the jaw were left intact and are considered controls. The scRNA-seq experiment successfully isolated dental mesenchyme and dental epithelial clusters. There were differences between the conditions when the two animals were combined. The data showed fewer differentiated cell types remain after plucking. We have validated a subset of the genes. This work will lead to discovery of genes and cell populations that may been lost in mammals. The profiling of adult, tissue-resident dental stem cells is likely to inform future tooth regeneration strategies for humans with tooth agenesis. Overall design: scRNA-seq UPDATE: [Apr-17-2026] The processed data files were replaced because a new genome assembly (GCA_028583425.1 MPM_Emac_v1.0) was used. The original (version 1) files are available in GSE221110_version1_processed_data.tar.gz.