Abstract: Nonsyndromic cleft lip and palat（e NSCLP）is a complex, multi- gene, multi- factor genetic disorder. Many scholars take a lot of study on this disorder from the association of gene and NSCLP to gene interaction, gene- environment
interaction. The transforming growth factor- α（ TGF- α） gene is a polypeptidic growth factor, which promotes cell proliferation and transform, It presents high level in the epithelial tissue of the media ledge of the palatal shelves at the time of shelf fusion in mice. The association of TGF- αwith NSCLP, has been proposed as a candidate gene in the etiology of NSCLP. This article reviews the recent progress of the role of TGF- αgene in NSCLP.