Defects and rescue of the minor salivary glands in Eda pathway mutants

►The mechanisms of minor salivary gland (SG) development are unexplored. ►Minor SGs develop by epithelial bud formation and downgrowth ►Developing minor SGs are absent in Eda pathway mutant embryos ►Treatment of Eda−/− minor SG explants with EDA A1 rescues minor SG induction ►Treatment of Edar−/− explants with Fgf8 or Shh does not fully rescue minor SGs.