Site-specific expression of gelatinolytic activity during morphogenesis of the secondary palate in the mouse embryo.

ABSTRACT: Morphogenesis of the secondary palate in mammalian embryos involves two major events: first, reorientation of the two vertically oriented palatal shelves into a horizontal position above the tongue, and second, fusion of the two shelves at the midline. Genetic evidence in humans and mice indicates the involvement of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). As MMP expression patterns might differ from sites of activity, we used a recently developed highly sensitive in situ zymography technique to map gelatinolytic MMP activity in the developing mouse palate. At embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5), we detected strong gelatinolytic activity around the lateral epithelial folds of the nasopharyngeal cavity, which is generated as a consequence of palatal shelf elevation. Activity was concentrated in the basemen

SUBMITTER: Gkantidis N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3472992 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature