| First Author | Inose H | Year | 2009 |
| Journal | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A | Volume | 106 |
| Issue | 49 | Pages | 20794-9 |
| PubMed ID | 19933329 | Mgi Jnum | J:155543 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:4414704 | Doi | 10.1073/pnas.0909311106 |
| Citation | Inose H, et al. (2009) A microRNA regulatory mechanism of osteoblast differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 106(49):20794-9 |
| abstractText | Growing evidence shows that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate various developmental and homeostatic events in vertebrates and invertebrates. Osteoblast differentiation is a key step in proper skeletal development and acquisition of bone mass; however, the physiological role of non-coding small RNAs, especially miRNAs, in osteoblast differentiation remains elusive. Here, through comprehensive analysis of miRNAs expression during osteoblast differentiation, we show that miR-206, previously viewed as a muscle-specific miRNA, is a key regulator of this process. miR-206 was expressed in osteoblasts, and its expression decreased over the course of osteoblast differentiation. Overexpression of miR-206 in osteoblasts inhibited their differentiation, and conversely, knockdown of miR-206 expression promoted osteoblast differentiation. In silico analysis and molecular experiments revealed connexin 43 (Cx43), a major gap junction protein in osteoblasts, as a target of miR-206, and restoration of Cx43 expression in miR-206-expressing osteoblasts rescued them from the inhibitory effect of miR-206 on osteoblast differentiation. Finally, transgenic mice expressing miR-206 in osteoblasts developed a low bone mass phenotype due to impaired osteoblast differentiation. Our data show that miRNA is a regulator of osteoblast differentiation. |
