Single-cell transcriptomic resolution of osteogenesis during craniofacial morphogenesis.

Craniofacial morphogenesis depends on complex cell fate decisions during the differentiation of post-migratory cranial neural crest cells. Molecular mechanisms of cell differentiation of mesenchymal cells to developing bones, cartilage, teeth, tongue, and other craniofacial tissues are still poorly understood. We performed single-cell transcriptomic analysis of craniofacial mesenchymal cells derived from cranial NCCs in mouse embryo.

Transcription factor Meis1b regulates craniofacial morphogenesis in zebrafish.

Background: Meis family of transcription factors operates in Pbx-Meis-Hox regulatory network controlling development of various tissues including eye, limbs, heart, hindbrain or craniofacial skeletal elements originating from the neural crest. Although studies in mouse provide abundant information about Meis factors function in embryogenesis, little is known about their role in zebrafish.

Results: We generated zebrafish lines carrying null mutations in meis1a, meis1b, meis2a, and meis2b genes.

Meis2 controls skeletal formation in the hyoid region.

A vertebrate skull is composed of many skeletal elements which display enormous diversity of shapes. Cranial bone formation embodies a multitude of processes, i.e.

The Mandibular and Hyoid Arches-From Molecular Patterning to Shaping Bone and Cartilage.

The mandibular and hyoid arches collectively make up the facial skeleton, also known as the viscerocranium. Although all three germ layers come together to assemble the pharyngeal arches, the majority of tissue within viscerocranial skeletal components differentiates from the neural crest. Since nearly one third of all birth defects in humans affect the craniofacial region, it is important to understand how signalling pathways and transcription factors govern the embryogenesis and skeletogenesis of the viscerocranium.