Abstract: Abstract: Objective To study the expression of four nervous system related genes: ASH2L, HDAC4, NSPC1and DOK5 in the all trans retinoic acid -induced mouse neural tube defect model. Methods: Divide eight E8.5 C57/BL6 pregnant mice randomly into two groups: control group and experimental group . Control group, intraperitoneal injection of olive oil, the experimental group by intraperitoneal injection of all-trans retinoic acid; E13.5 take embryos. Real-time PCR were detected in mouse brain and spinal cord of ASH2L, HDAC4, NSPC1 and DOK5 mRNA expression; Western Blotting detected two groups of mice brain and spinal cord ASH2L, HDAC4, NSPC1 and DOK5 of protein expression.Results All-trans retinoic acid can induce a typical neural tube defects in mice. Compared with the control group, the expression of mRNA declined in fetal mice brain and spinal cord which is treated with all trans RA (P <0.05); Meanwhile, the protein levels of these genes was also significantly decreased (P <0.05). Conclusion ASH2L, HDAC4, NSPC1 and DOK5 may be the may underlying genes of inhibiting all trans RA-induced neural tube defects.

Key words: Key words: all trans retinoic acid, ASH2L, HDAC4, NSPC1, DOK, Neural tube defects.