Int. J. Dev. Biol. 43: 567 - 570 (1999)

Vol 43, Issue 6

The role of RXR-alpha in retinoic acid-induced cleft palate as assessed with the RXR-alpha knockout mouse

Published: 1 September 1999

P Nugent, H M Sucov, M M Pisano and R M Greene

Department of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology, University of Louisville School of Dentistry and University of Louisville Birth Defects Center, KY 40292, USA. pfnuge01@gwise.louisville.edu

Abstract

Treatment of pregnant mice with retinoic acid (RA) in mid-gestation produces cleft palate and limb defects in the fetuses. RXR-alpha has been previously shown to mediate the teratogenic effects of RA in the limb. In this study, we show that RXR-alpha is also involved in retinoid-induced palatal clefting. Treatment of RXR-alpha knockout mice with a teratogenic dose of RA on gestation day 11 or 12 induces cleft palate at a lower frequency than that seen in wild-type animals.