OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of excessive fluoride on the gene expression of rat osteoblasts.

METHODSRat osteoblasts were treated with 2.0 mmol/L of sodium fluoride (NaF) for two weeks in vitro, and difference in the gene expression between the NaF-treated and normal osteoblasts was compared with mRNA differential display (DD-PCR) technique.

RESULTSAmong the six differentially expressed gene fragments which had been cloned, expression of the ribosomal protein L5 gene, ATPase Na(+)K(+) transporting beta polypeptide 3 gene, karyopherin alpha 2 gene and cis-Golgi body p28 gene was lower and expression of ubiquitous-conjugating enzyme E2D 3 gene and a newly-discovered gene fragment in this study showed up-regulated in the NaF-treated osteoblasts of the rats.

CONCLUSIONSExpression of genes changed in the osteoblasts after treatment with fluoride for two weeks and most of them associated with synthesis, transportation and processing of protein. It suggested that excessive fluoride could affect the protein synthesis in osteoblasts by changing the expression of the related genes. A novel gene related to excessive fluoride exposure was also found.