Both the Smad and p38 MAPK pathways play a crucial role in Runx2 expression following induction by transforming growth factor-beta and bone morphogenetic protein.
The Runx family of transcription factors plays pivotal roles during normal development and in neoplasias. In mammals, Runx family genes are composed of Runx1 (Pebp2alphaB/Cbfa2/Aml1), Runx2 (Pebp2alphaA/Cbfa1/Aml3) and Runx3 (Pebp2alphaC/Cbfa3/Aml2). Runx1 and Runx3 are known to be involved in leukemogenesis and gastric carcinogenesis, respectively. Runx2, on the other hand, is a common target of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 ( BMP-2) and plays an essential role in osteoblast differentiation. Runx2 is induced by the receptor- activated Smad; Runx2 mediates the blockage of myogenic differentiation and induces osteoblast differentiation in C2C12 pluripotent mesenchymal precursor cells. However, Smad does not directly induce Runx2 expression; an additional step of de novo protein synthesis is required. Here we report that Smad- induced junB functions as an upstream activator of Runx2 expression. Furthermore, not only the Smad pathway but also the mitogen-activated protein kinase ( MAPK) cascades are involved in the induction of Runx2 by TGF-beta1 and BMP-2. Our results demonstrate that following TGF-beta and BMP induction, both the Smad and p38 MAPK pathways converge at the Runx2 gene to control mesenchymal precursor cell differentiation.[1]References
- Both the Smad and p38 MAPK pathways play a crucial role in Runx2 expression following induction by transforming growth factor-beta and bone morphogenetic protein. Lee, K.S., Hong, S.H., Bae, S.C. Oncogene (2002) [Pubmed]
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