Project Abstract Cleft palate is one of the most common congenital birth defects, with a prevalence of 1/700 live births worldwide. Human linkage studies have shown that either genetic mutations related to cholesterol metabolism or abnormal maternal cholesterol diets lead to craniofacial deformities such as cleft palate. However, it is largely unknown how disturbances in cholesterol production result in cleft palate. In our preliminary studies, we found that mice with loss of sterol-C5-desaturase (Sc5d) displayed cleft palate with complete penetrance through decreased cell proliferation during palate formation. Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling, which is crucial for normal palate formation, was compromised in Sc5d mutant mice. The primary cilium, an antenna-like structure receiving hedgehog signals on the plasma membrane, was deformed in palatal mesenchymal cells of Sc5d mutant mice. We also found that posttranscriptional protein modification and expression of non-coding RNAs was altered in the palate of Sc5d mutant mice. Interestingly, while cholesterol synthesis is inhibited similarly in mice deficient for the 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (Dhcr7) gene, which is crucial for cholesterol synthesis right after SC5D, these mice display cleft palate with a penetrance lower than 10%. Based on this foundation, in this project we will test the hypothesis that lathosterol, a cholesterol precursor that is elevated in Sc5d mutant mice, plays crucial roles in the pathogenesis of cleft palate. We have three specific aims; (1) To determine how a specific cholesterol intermediate interferes with SHH signaling by testing how lathosterol, a cholesterol intermediate accumulated in Sc5d mutant mice, interferes with hedgehog receptor movement and primary cilium formation; (2) To identify altered proteins and modifications in the developing palate of Sc5d mutant mice by conducting proteomic analyses using the palate of Sc5d mutant, Dhcr7 mutant, and control mice; (3) To identify non-coding RNAs and their regulated genes influenced by impaired cholesterol metabolism through analysis of the regulatory mechanism(s) of microRNAs (short non-coding RNAs) and their regulation of genes associated with cleft palate that are specifically altered in Sc5d mutant mice. Building on our strong preliminary work, we expect this study will systematically investigate the roles of cholesterol metabolism (at the cellular, metabolic, proteomic, and post- transcriptional regulation levels) in cleft palate in mice, and the results will lead to innovations in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cholesterol-related craniofacial birth defects.

PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Cleft palate is a common congenital birth defect with a complex etiology of contributions by both genetic and environmental factors. While increasing number of studies suggest a link between cellular metabolic aberrations and cleft palate, it remains largely unknown how cholesterol metabolism affects palate formation. The knowledge gained from this study will lead to a new approach for the diagnosis and prevention of cleft palate.