Expression of retinoic acid receptor genes in neural crest-derived cells during mouse facial development.

Retinoic acid (RA) is known as a teratogen that induces abnormalities in facial structures which are made up mainly of neural crest-derived mesenchyme. We investigated expression patterns of RA receptor (RAR) genes (subtypes alpha, beta, gamma) during mouse facial development. The expression of the RAR beta gene is specific for the mesenchyme around developing eyes and nose, whereas the RAR gamma gene is expressed in the mesenchyme differentiating to facial cartilages and bones. In contrast, the RAR alpha gene is expressed weakly and uniformly over the facial region. These results suggest that crucial roles of endogenous RA in facial development depend on differential functions of the RAR subtypes.