Mutation analysis of the MSX1 gene exons and intron in patients with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate

SUMMARY

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate and cleft palate (CL/CLP/CP) is one of the most common malforma- tions among newborns. The estimated prevalence in Latvia is 1/700. Nonsyndromic CL/CLP/CP is a complex trait determined by multiple, interacting genetic and environmental factors. MSX1 gene is one of the most important candidate-genes, which had been analyzed in relation with nonsyndromic CL/CLP/CP.
The objective of our study was to examine the etiologic role of MSX1 gene mutations in the development of nonsyndromic CL/CLP/CP in Latvian population.