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Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis
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Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis

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PDGFRβ regulates craniofacial development through homodimers and functional heterodimers with PDGFRα

Katherine A Fantauzzo1, Philippe Soriano1

  • 1Department of Cell Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA.

Genes & Development
|November 19, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ) plays a crucial role in craniofacial development. Its interaction with PDGFRα influences facial structure, and disruptions lead to birth defects.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Craniofacial development is vital, with disruptions causing common birth defects.
  • Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) is known to be involved.
  • The function of PDGFRβ in murine craniofacial development is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of PDGFRβ in murine craniofacial development.
  • To explore the interaction between PDGFRα and PDGFRβ in neural crest cells.
  • To elucidate the signaling mechanisms of PDGF receptors in craniofacial morphogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzing Pdgfrb knockout mouse models in neural crest lineage.
  • Examining craniofacial phenotypes including nasal septum width and palatal shelf development.
  • Investigating genetic interactions and physical associations between PDGFRα and PDGFRβ.

Main Results:

  • PDGFRα and PDGFRβ are coexpressed in craniofacial mesenchyme.
  • PDGFRβ ablation in neural crest cells causes nasal septum defects and delayed palatal development.
  • Double mutants exhibit more severe facial clefting, indicating genetic interaction.
  • PDGFRα and PDGFRβ form functional heterodimers with unique signaling properties.

Conclusions:

  • PDGFRβ is essential for normal craniofacial development.
  • PDGFRα and PDGFRβ form functional heterodimers, revealing a novel PDGF signaling pathway.
  • This study uncovers a new mode of PDGF family signaling in vertebrate development.

Keywords:
PDGFRαPDGFRβcraniofacial developmentheterodimersneural crest

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