How Retinoic Acid Affects Jaw Development in Mice
Author Information
Author(s): Vieux-Rochas Maxence, Coen Laurent, Sato Takahiro, Kurihara Yukiko, Gitton Yorick, Barbieri Ottavia, Blay Karine Le, Merlo Giorgio, Ekker Marc, Kurihara Hiroki, Janvier Philippe, Levi Giovanni
Primary Institution: Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
Hypothesis
The craniofacial defects present in retinoic acid embryopathies could derive from altered signaling from the pharyngeal epithelium leading to abnormal activation of Dlx genes in cranial neural crest cells.
Conclusion
Retinoic acid treatment during a critical developmental window leads to significant craniofacial malformations in mice, suggesting a mechanism for the evolution of jaw structures.
Supporting Evidence
- Retinoic acid treatment at specific times caused different craniofacial malformations.
- Defects were linked to reduced expression of Dlx genes in the first pharyngeal arch.
- Similar defects were observed in mice with inactivated Dlx genes.
Takeaway
Giving pregnant mice retinoic acid at the wrong time can cause their babies to have jaw problems, helping us understand how jaws evolved.
Methodology
Mice were treated with retinoic acid at specific developmental times, and the resulting craniofacial structures were analyzed for defects.
Limitations
The phenotypes were variable even within a single litter, possibly due to different times of individual fertilizations.
Participant Demographics
Pregnant B6D2F1 hybrid mice were used in the study.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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