# Molecular Regulatory Network in Frontonasal Development

> **NIH NIH R03** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 2020 · $154,834

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Facial morphology is influenced by a genetic basis with a wide array of variations. In severe cases, the
morphological changes are recognized as frontonasal anomalies, malformations characterized by hypertelorism
(an increased distance between the eyes), a flat broad nose, malformed nasal tip, a vertical groove down the
middle of the face, etc. The etiology of frontonasal anomalies is complex with multiple genetic and environmental
factors. Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRs), short non-coding RNAs regulated by environmental
cues, can repress multiple target genes (~30% of protein-coding genes) and contribute to a number of diseases
and developmental disorders. We hypothesize that the proper control of miR expression is crucial for the
regulation of genes involved in frontonasal development. In this study, we will identify miRs highly expressed in
the frontonasal region during craniofacial development by analyzing RNA-seq datasets from the mouse
developing frontonasal region. We will also identify target genes regulated by miRs during frontonasal
development by analyzing miR-mRNA anti-correlation. We will further test the genotype-phenotype associations
of these candidate miRs and genes using public available datasets from genome-wide studies. These findings
will be validated in our confirmative experiments. Taken together, this study will provide insights into the role of
miRs in frontonasal development and suggest possible strategies for the diagnosis and prevention of frontonasal
anomalies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9849764
- **Project number:** 5R03DE028340-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Junichi Iwata
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $154,834
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2021-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9849764

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9849764, Molecular Regulatory Network in Frontonasal Development (5R03DE028340-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9849764. Licensed CC0.

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