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Updated: May 13, 2026
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Live Imaging of Mouse Secondary Palate Fusion
Published on: July 27, 2017
Heparanase localization during palatogenesis in mice
Azumi Hirata1, Kentaro Katayama, Takehito Tsuji
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki 569-8686, Japan. an1026@art.osaka-med.ac.jp
Biomed Research International
|March 20, 2013
Summary
Heparanase is crucial for palate formation, aiding extracellular matrix remodeling during mouse palate development. This enzyme
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Palatogenesis involves epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling.
- The role of heparanase in palate formation is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and role of heparanase during mouse palate development.
- To understand heparanase's contribution to ECM remodeling in palatal shelves.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of developing mouse palates.
- Assessed distribution of heparanase, heparan sulfate (HS), perlecan, laminin, type IV collagen, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -9, -2, and -3.
Main Results:
- Heparanase was not observed in early palatal shelves but localized to epithelial cells as shelves reorganized.
- Strong heparanase signal was detected in the medial epithelial seam (MES) during palate fusion.
- Basement membrane components like heparan sulfate and perlecan were reduced in fused shelves, while laminin and type IV collagen were present.
Conclusions:
- Heparanase plays a significant role in palate formation by mediating ECM degradation in palatal shelves.
- Heparanase, potentially with other proteases, may contribute to the regression of the medial epithelial seam during fusion.
