Gene expression changes in the secondary palate and mandible of Prdm16 ⁻/⁻ mice

• Published in: Cell and tissue research Vol. 351; no. 3; pp. 445 - 452
• Main Authors: Warner, Dennis R, Wells, Justin P, Greene, Robert M, Pisano, M. Michele
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.03.2013
• Subjects: Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Blotting, Western; bone formation; bone morphogenetic proteins; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins - genetics; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins - metabolism; chondrogenesis; Chondrogenesis - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - deficiency; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; DNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism; extracellular matrix; Extracellular Matrix Proteins - genetics; Extracellular Matrix Proteins - metabolism; fetus; Fetus - metabolism; gene expression; gene expression regulation; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; genes; Human Genetics; Mandible - embryology; Mandible - metabolism; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Molecular Medicine; Osteogenesis - genetics; Osteopontin - metabolism; palate; Palate - embryology; Palate - metabolism; polymerase chain reaction; Proteomics; Regular Article; Signal Transduction - genetics; skeletal development; Transcription Factors - deficiency; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta - genetics; Transforming Growth Factor beta - metabolism; Mandible; Craniofacial; Palate; Mouse; Chondrogenesis; Osteogenesis
• ISSN: 0302-766X; 1432-0878
• DOI: 10.1007/s00441-012-1525-2

Loss of Prdm16 expression in the mouse leads to a complete cleft of the secondary palate. We have now determined changes in gene expression in the secondary palates of Prdm16 ⁻/⁻ fetuses in an attempt to reveal the mechanism(s) leading to the failure of palate closure in these mice. Defined pathway-based polymerase chain reaction arrays were used to analyze the expression of genes associated with the extracellular matrix and the transforming growth factor-β and bone morphogenetic protein signaling networks, perturbations of which can lead to palatal clefting. Loss of Prdm16 expression in the secondary palate leads to alterations in numerous genes within these groups, many of which have been linked to chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. The expression of several genes linked to bone development was significantly changed in the developing secondary palate. Analysis of gene expression in the mandibles of Prdm16 ⁻/⁻ fetuses revealed similar alterations in the same gene set. These data suggest that one function of Prdm16 is the regulation of genes that play a role in the differentiation of mesenchymal cells into chondro-/osteocytes.