Epithelial and ectomesenchymal role of the type I TGF-beta receptor ALK5 during facial morphogenesis and palatal fusion
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) proteins play important roles in morphogenesis of many cramofacial tissues; however, detailed biological mechanisms of TGF-beta action, particularly in vivo, are still poorly understood. Here, we deleted the TGF-beta type I receptor gene Alk5 specifically in the embryonic ectodermal and neural crest cell lineages. Failure in signaling via this receptor, e