Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (28): 7316-7322.doi: 10.12307/2026.785

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Evolution, development and molecular regulation of fish tooth

Wang Shuoran1, Huang Rui1, Dong Lingyue2, An Wei2, Huang Xiaofeng1   

  1. 1Department of Stomatology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China; 2Department of Cell Biology, Capital Medical University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100069, China
  • Received:2025-08-25 Revised:2025-11-16 Online:2026-10-08 Published:2026-02-11
  • Contact: Huang Xiaofeng, MD, Chief physician, Professor, Department of Stomatology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
  • About author:Wang Shuoran, Doctoral candidate, Department of Stomatology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China
  • Supported by:
    Beijing Natural Science Foundation (General Program), No. 7252026 (to HXF); National Natural Science Foundation of  China (General Program), No. 82071141 (to HXF)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fish tooth serves as a pivotal model for depicting evolution and development of vertebrate and human tooth. Recent advancements in molecular developmental biology have provided new insights in the developmental homology between the teeth and scales of fish, as well as the signaling pathways involved. However, comparative studies across species and integration of evolutionary mechanisms require further exploration.
OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the evolutionary origins, morphological diversification, and molecular regulatory mechanisms of fish dentition, while critically comparing core propositions and limitations of existing hypotheses.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases with search terms “fish teeth, teeth development, evolution of teeth, molecular regulation of teeth” in both English and Chinese. Articles published between 1970 and 2025 were screened. According to the inclusion criteria, 77 articles were ultimately included for comprehensive analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Molecular evidence supports the revised hypothesis of “outside-in,” demonstrating co-evolution of ectodermal scales and endodermal mesenchyme in dental formation. Fish dentin is classified into four distinct types, which are orthodontin, osteodentin, pseudoosteodentin, and vasodentin. Chondrichthyan enameloid mineralization initiates through tubular vesicles secreted by odontoblasts, whereas teleosts employ collagen fiber-guided crystal growth, indicating an evolutionary transition from vesicle-dominated to collagen-templated mineralization mechanisms. Sonic hedgehog signaling precisely regulates dental row regeneration in cartilaginous fish, while zebrafish pharyngeal dentition relies on spatiotemporal activation of retinoic acid signaling. Core pathways (fibroblast growth factor, Sonic hedgehog, and Wnt)) maintain functional conservation, yet their regulatory elements exhibit adaptive evolution through natural selection pressures.


Key words: fish tooth, tooth evolution, tooth development, molecular regulation, dentin, tooth replacement

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