Altered mandibular development precedes the time of palate closure in mice homozygous for disproportionate micromelia: an oral clefting model supporting the Pierre-Robin sequence.

Background: Development of the human craniofacial anatomy involves a number of interrelated, genetically controlled components. The complexity of the interactions between these components suggests that interference with the spaciotemporal interaction of the expanding tongue and elongating Meckel's cartilage correlates with the appearance of cleft palate. Mice homozygous for the semi-dominant Col2a1 mutation Disproportionate micromelia (Dmm), presenting at birth with both cleft palate and micrognathia, provide the opportunity to test the hypothesis that mandibular growth retardation coincides with formation of the secondary palate as predicted from our understanding of the Pierre Robin sequence.