Role of cyclic AMP, prostaglandins, and catecholamines during normal palate development.

The biochemical regulatory mechanisms controlling palatal differentiation are largely unknown. Published data suggest that hormonally regulated levels of cyclic AMP may be important in normal, as well as abnormal, development of the secondary palate. Palatal cAMP, prostaglandins, and catecholamines appear to be integrally involved in cellular differentiation during normal palatal development. Studies such as those outlined in this chapter are fundamental to meaningful investigations probing the etiology of abnormal development. Questions dealing with biochemical mechanisms of action of potential cleft palate teratogens, or with genetically based orofacial malformations, must be grounded on a thorough understanding of biochemical events and regulation of these events during normal craniofacial development. Evidence suggests that cyclic AMP levels, possibly regulated by prostaglandin and/or catecholamine receptor occupancy, may play an important role in normal growth and differentiation of the developing orofacial region and may serve as metabolic foci for teratogenic perturbation resulting in palatal clefting.