RESUMEN
It is known that E-cadherin, playing a role in the differentiation of the various tissues, is expressed in the early stage of development. In this research, the expression of E-cadherin and the presence of the intracellular E-cadherin mRNA in the developing fetal rat palatine epithelium using immunohistochemistry and in situ RT-PCR are studied. The investigator also performs TUNEL method and TEM technique for detecting the apoptosis in the palatine epithelium. Fetal rats on the 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th day of gestation were used. The results obtained were as follows: Before the fusion of the both palatine shelves, E-cadherin was expressed in the oral part epithelium. After the fusion oral epithelium and original triangular area were reacted strongly. TUNEL positive cells were rarely found on the midline palatine epithelium in fused palatine processes. On the 18th day of gestation, the remodeling time, many apoptotic cells were observed in the original triangular area. It is suggested that E-cadherin plays a role in the fusion of the palatine shelves, especially in the fusion between the oral part and lower part of midline epithelium, and apoptosis plays a major role in the remodeling of the palate.