The molecular mechanisms control the function of PDL(periodonta1 ligament) cells and/or fibroblasts remain unclear. PDLsl7, PDL-specific gene, had previousely　identified the cDNA for a novel protein from cultured　PDL fibroblasts using subtraction hybridization between gingival fibroblasts and　PDL fibroblasts. The purpose　of this study was to determine the regulation by growth factors and cytokines on　PDLsl7 gene expression in　cultured human periodontal ligament cells and observe the immunohistochemical　localization of PDLsl7 protein in various tissues of mouse. Primary PDL fibroblasts isolated by scraping the root of the extracted human mandibular third molars. The cells were incubated with various concentration of human recombinant $IL-1{eta}$, PDGF-BB and TGF;${eta}$ for 48h nd 2 weeks. At each time point total RNA was extracted and the levels of transcription ere assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR assay). polyclonal antiserum raised against PDLsl7 peptides, CLSVSYNRSYQINE and SEAVHETDLHDGC, were made, and stained the tooth, periodontium, developing bone, bone marrow and mid-palatal suture of the mouse. The results were as follows. 1. PDLsl7 mRNA levels were increased in response to PDGF (10ng/ml) and $TGF;{eta}$(20ng/ml) after treatment of the $IL-1{eta}$, PDGF-BB and $TGF{eta}$for 48 h. 2. PDLsl7 was up-regulated only by $TGF{eta}$(20 ng/ml) after treatment of the $IL-1{eta}$, PDGF-BB and $TGF;{eta}$ for 2 weeks and unchanged by the other stimulants. 3. PDLsl7 was a novel protein coding the 142 amino acid peptides in the ORF and the nucleotide sequences of the obtained cDNA from RT-PCR was exactly same as the nucleotides of the database. 4. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that PDLsl7 is preferentially expressed in the PDL, differentiating osteoblast-like cells and stromal cells of the bone marrow in the adult mouse. 5. The expression of PDLsl7 protein was barely detectable in gingival fibroblasts, hematopoetic cells of the bone marrow and mature osteocytes of the alveolar bone. These results suggest that PDLsl7 might upregulated by PDGF-BB or $TGF{eta}$ and acts at the initial stage of differentiation when the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in the bone marrow and PDL differentiate into multiple cell types. However, more research needs to be performed to gain a better understanding of the exact function of PDLsl7 during the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal and PDL cells.