Foxf1 and Foxf2 mRNA expression in the developing
palate were downregulated in the Osr2-IresCre;Smoc/c
mutant embryos. (A) At E13.5, Foxf1a mRNA was expressed in
the anterior palatal mesenchyme underlying the lateral and medial edge
epithelium (arrow) in the control embryos. (B) Foxf1a mRNA
expression was specifically downregulated in the palatal mesenchyme but its
expression in the tooth mesenchyme was not affected in the
Osr2-IresCre;Smoc/c mutant embryos. Asterisks in A and B
mark the maxillary first molar tooth buds. (C,D) At E13.5,
Foxf1 mRNA expression in the posterior palate was restricted to more
lateral and proximal cells in the control embryo (C) and this domain of
expression (arrows in C and D) was also downregulated in the
Osr2-IresCre;Smoc/c mutant embryos (D). (E-H)
Foxf2 mRNA expression exhibited a lateral-to-medial gradient in both
the anterior and posterior palate in the control embryos (E,G) and was
downregulated in both the anterior and posterior palatal mesenchyme in the
Osr2-IresCre;Smoc/c mutant embryos (F,H). E and F show
anterior palates; G and H, posterior. p, palatal shelf; t, tongue.