Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM: To evaluate the expression of the AY245441 gene in normal embyonic palatine process and the cleft palate of mice induced by retinoic acid and to explore the effects between the AY245441 gene function and the formation of cleft palate . MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of the AY245441 gene in embyonic palatine process tissues in the experimental group induced by retinoic acid and control groups were assessed by Real-time PCR from GD11-GD16 and in situ hybridization on GD13 and GD14． RESULTS: AY245441 was expressed in all normal and cleft palates at GD11-GD16. To the normal palates, the highest expressions were in GD11,GD13 and GD14, showing significant differences to the samples (P<0.05) taken at other gestational dates. The expression abundance of AY245441 in normal palates was stronger than that of cleft palates during GD11－GD16(P<0.05). AY245441 expression was detected in both the epithelium of the anterior region of normal developing palatal shelves at GD13 , in both the epithelium and mesenchyme of the anterior region of normal developing palatal shelves at GD14. AY245441 gene expression was detected in the epithelium , but was suppressed in the anterior region of cleft palates at GD13. AY245441 gene expression was absent in both the epithelium and mesenchyme of the anterior region of cleft palatal at GD14. AY245441 was absent in both the epithelium and mesenchyme of normal posterior palate and cleft palate at GD14. CONCLUSION: The AY245441 gene played an important role in the development of palate in mice .The suppressed expression of the AY245441 gene was related to the occurrence of cleft palate．

Key words: Gpc3 gene, cleft palate, Real-time PCR, in situ hybridization