Journal
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
Volume 66, Issue 22, Pages 3641-3653Publisher
SPRINGER BASEL AG
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-009-0149-5
Keywords
Human osteoblasts; Slug; Wnt signaling; Runx2; Sox-9
Categories
Funding
- MIUR [COFIN-2007]
- Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cento
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study aims to define the function of Slug transcription factor in human normal osteoblasts (hOBs). To date, Slug is considered exclusively a marker of malignancy in bone tissue. Here, we identified, for the first time, a role for Slug in hOBs using a knockdown approach. We demonstrated that Slug is positively correlated with osteoblast markers, including Runx2, osteopontin, osteocalcin, Collagen type 1, Wnt/beta-catenin signaling mediators, and mineral deposition. At the same time, Slug silencing potentiates the expression of Sox-9, a factor indispensable for chondrogenic development. These data, with the finding that Slug is in vivo recruited by the promoters of Runx2 and Sox-9 genes, suggest that, in hOBs, Slug may act both as positive and negative transcriptional regulator of Runx2 and Sox-9 genes, respectively. In summary, our results support the hypothesis that Slug functions as a novel regulator of osteoblast activity and may be considered a new factor required for osteoblast maturation.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available