Expression of mesenchymal marker genes and proliferation in palatal shelves at developmental stages E13.5-E14.5.

(A) In situ hybridizations for Bmp4 at E13.5 and Shox2 at E14.5 reveal similar expression in Bmp7^wt/wt and Bmp7^Δ/Δ embryos. At E14.5 Bmp7^wt/wt palatal shelves were elevated and in approximation (arrow). (B) To identify proliferating cells, Bmp7^wt/wt and Bmp7^Δ/Δ palatal shelves were stained for phosphohistone H3. Coronal sections of E13.5 Bmp7^wt/wt (a) and Bmp7^Δ/Δ (b) palatal shelves (stippled areas) are shown (positive cells are dark brown). Comparison between wild type and knock-out embryos did not reveal any significant difference in the number of proliferating cells at stages E13.5 and E14.5 (c). n; nose, p; palatal shelf, t; tongue, Scale bar: 100 μm.