Our data show that Atmin and Vangl2 genetically interact; moreover the disparity in the number of double heterozygous embryos exhibiting craniorachischisis and kidney defects suggests that the Atmin-Vangl2 interaction may be more important in some specific aspects of embryo development, such as kidney formation, than in others, e.g. neural tube closure. This evidence concerns the gene ATMIN and craniorachischisis.