The main outcome of this study highlights the role of the IRF6 gene in zebrafish in palatogenesis and disruption of IRF6 or its downstream targets; GRHL3, KLF17, and ESPR1/2 demonstrated cleft lip and palate development, indicating the importance of IRF6 and its downstream genes in palatal development and embryogenesis. The gene discussed is KLF17; the disease is cleft lip.