Cleft palate: players, pathways, and pursuits.
Cleft lip and palate is a common human birth defect, and its causes are being dissected through studies of human populations and through the use of animal models. Mouse models in particular have made a substantial contribution to our understanding of the gene pathways involved in palate development and the nature of signaling molecules that act in a tissue-specific manner at critical stages of embryogenesis. Related work has provided further support for investigating the role of common environmental triggers as causal covariates.
Murray
Jeffrey C
JC
Department of Pediatrics and Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. jeff-murray@uiowa.edu
Schutte
Brian C
BC
D000818:Animals; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010159:Palate / Q000196:embryology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology