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All‐trans‐retinoic acid alters Smads expression in embryonic neural tissue of mice

Retinoic acid can cause malformations of the developing nervous system. Smad signaling is involved in embryonic development. The current study investigated all‐trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA)‐induced alteration of Smad expression in the developing neural tubes of mice. Pregnant mice were treated with a single dose of 50 mg/kg ATRA by oral gavage on embryonic day (E) 7. Western immunoblotting was used to examine Smads proteins, particularly phosphorylated (p‐) Smad1, total Smad1 and Smad6 in the neural tissue of the embryos on E8–E11 following treatment. Results showed that ATRA treatment significantly increased expression of both p‐Smad1 and total Smad1, while Smad6 was decreased in neural tissues of ATRA‐exposed embryos in utero from E8 to E11, a critical period for neural tube formation. Data suggest that disruption of Smad signaling may be involved in ATRA‐induced neural tube defects. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.