Expression of Cdk5/p35 and co-localization with its substrates in murine dental pulp cells

Objectives: Molecular mechanisms involved in dental pain are poorly understood, although there recent evidences that odontoblast cells participate in this process. We earlier demonstrated that Cdk5, a kinase implicate in orofacial pain, is expressed in mouse odontoblast-like cells. Here we evaluate the expression of Cdk5 and its activator p35, and its co-localization with known protein targets of Cdk5 involved in pain in murine dental pulp cells.
Methods: By western blot we evaluated protein expression of Cdk5 and p35 together with its phosphorylation targets (P2X2, TRPV1 and TRPA1) in adult rat dental pulps. In addition, by immunofluorescence we evaluated immunolocalization of Cdk5, p35, P2X2, TRPV1 and TRPA1 in primary culture of mouse differentiated dental pulp cells.
Results: Cdk5 and p35 are expressed in less amount in rat dental pulp cells compare to rat trigeminal ganglia. In addition, we found that P2X2, TRPV1 and TRPA1 were expressed in dental pulp tissues and in primary culture of differentiated dental pulp cells.
Conclusions: the expression of Cdk5/p35 and co-localization with their phosphorylation targets in murine dental pulp cells suggest a possible role for Cdk5 in odontoblast cells physiology and consequently in dental pain.