Figure 2. MT1-MMP protein synthesis in odontoblasts and pulp tissue detected by Western blot analysis. (A) A 20-µL quantity of native odontoblasts (ObN) and native pulp tissue (PN) in 1x Laemmli buffer was subjected to Western blot analysis with the use of an MT1-MMP-specific polyclonal antibody. ProMT1-MMP (65 kDa) and MT1-MMP (51 kDa) bands were detected in all samples. In addition, truncated MT1-MMP (45, 42, 35, and 20 kDa) forms were also observed. (B) Odontoblasts (ObC) and pulp tissue (PC) were cultured for 24 hrs without growth factors and were subjected to Western blotting with the use of MT1-MMP-specific polyclonal antibody. ProMT1-MMP (65 kDa) and MT1-MMP (51 kDa) bands were detected. In addition, truncated MT1-MMPs (42, 35, and 20 kDa) were seen in the pulp tissue. Recombinant human soluble proMT1-MMP was used as a positive control for antibody specificity. The expected 62-kDa immunoreactive band was observed (rhMT1-MMP). This control strongly suggests that the 65-kDa band observed in the odontoblasts and pulp tissue samples represents the latent form of MT1-MMP.
