Objective To determine the expression and possible function of ClC- 5 during the rat tooth germ development. Methods Isolated total mRNA and protein from the rat tooth germs which were at different stages of development. RT- PCR and Western blot were used to investigate the mRNA and protein expression of the ClC- 5 in the rat tooth germ. Results The mRNA and protein of ClC- 5 expressed in the late bell stage, but undetected in the early or middle bell stage. Conclusion These results showed the spatial temporal distribution of expression of ClC- 5 during the different stages of the rat tooth germ development and suggested that it might contribute to the rat tooth germ development.
