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Figure 1. Expression of Npt2 mRNA in wild-type mice, with the use of RT-PCR (a), Northern blot (b), and in situ hybridization (c–g) analyses. (a) Single bands of the expected size for the amplification products of Npt2b were observed in tooth germs from mice aged 2, 6, and 10 days. (b) A strong expression of Npt2b mRNA can be seen in the tooth germ specimens. (c) Photomicrograph of a distal portion of a lower first molar. (d) Higher magnification of the boxed area in (c). Mature ameloblasts (MA) show the signals. (e) Adjacent section of (d). H-E staining. (f) Higher magnification of the boxed area in (c). Signals can be seen in secretory ameloblasts (SA) and odontoblasts (arrows). (g) Section adjacent to (e). H-E staining. D, dentin; E, enamel; OB, odontoblasts.
