Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Isolation and Time-Lapse Imaging of Primary Mouse Embryonic Palatal Mesenchyme Cells to Analyze Collective Movement Attributes
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OGT mediates O-GlcNAcylation of MEIS2 and affects palatal osteogenic development

Zhongyin Zhang1,2,3, Zerui Shan1,2,3, Xinyu Chen1,2,3

  • 1Department of Orthodontics, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

International Journal of Oral Science
|April 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

O-linked β-D-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is crucial for palatal bone development. Reduced O-GlcNAc levels and O-GlcNAcylation of MEIS2 protein contribute to cleft palate, offering new diagnostic and preventive strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Post-translational modifications (PTMs) like O-GlcNAcylation regulate vital cellular processes.
  • Congenital malformations, including cleft palate, are increasingly linked to PTM dysregulation.
  • O-GlcNAcylation plays a role in transcription, translation, and cell fate determination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of O-GlcNAcylation in palatal development and cleft palate formation.
  • To identify the specific mechanisms by which O-GlcNAcylation influences palatal bone formation.
  • To explore the potential of O-GlcNAc levels as biomarkers or therapeutic targets for cleft palate.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized all-trans retinoic acid (atRA)-induced cleft palate mouse models to assess O-GlcNAc levels.
  • Employed zebrafish models to study the effects of O-GlcNAc deficiency on palatal development.
  • Investigated the interaction between O-GlcNAcylation, MEIS2 protein stability, and ubiquitination pathways.

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in O-GlcNAc levels was observed in the palatine plates of atRA-induced cleft palate mice.
  • Loss of O-GlcNAc in zebrafish led to increased cleft palate prevalence and impaired palatal bone formation.
  • O-GlcNAcylation of MEIS2 by OGT was found to stabilize the protein by inhibiting ubiquitination, maintaining osteogenic homeostasis.
  • Serine 237 (Ser237) was identified as a key site for MEIS2 O-GlcNAcylation.

Conclusions:

  • O-GlcNAcylation, particularly of MEIS2, is essential for normal palatal bone development.
  • Dysregulation of O-GlcNAcylation contributes to cleft palate pathogenesis.
  • This study provides a novel framework for understanding palatal development regulation and suggests potential avenues for cleft palate diagnosis and prevention.

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