Runx signaling and dental stem cells

Tooth development is regulated by epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. This epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk is mediated by various types of molecular signaling pathways and their downstream transcription factors, which are used reiteratively during development. This mini-review discusses the functions of Runx/Cbfb genes in the maintenance of stem cell compartments during incisor development. Runx genes contribute to the continuous growth of incisors by sustaining fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. We will also discuss how the roles of defective incisor phenotypes are analogous to those proposed for Runx genes in a variety of other stem cell systems.