| First Author | Nakashima K | Year | 2003 |
| Journal | Trends Genet | Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 8 | Pages | 458-66 |
| PubMed ID | 12902164 | Mgi Jnum | J:85095 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:2671694 | Doi | 10.1016/S0168-9525(03)00176-8 |
| Citation | Nakashima K, et al. (2003) Transcriptional mechanisms in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Trends Genet 19(8):458-66 |
| abstractText | Osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation, differentiate from mesenchymal cells. Here, we discuss transcription factors that are involved in regulating the multistep molecular pathway of osteoblast differentiation. Runx2 and Osx, a newly identified zinc-finger-containing protein, are transcription factors that are expressed selectively and at high levels in osteoblasts. Null mutations of either leads to a complete absence of bone in mice. Runx2 plus its companion subunit Cbf beta are needed for an early step in this pathway, whereas Osx is required for a subsequent step, namely the differentiation of preosteoblasts into fully functioning osteoblasts. The finding that Osx-null cells acquire a chondrocyte phenotype implies that Osx is a negative regulator of Sox9 and of the chondrocyte phenotype. This leads to the hypothesis that Osx might have a role in the segregation of osteoblasts from osteochondroprogenitors. We also discuss recent progress in studies of other transcription factors that affect skeletal patterning and development. |
