Novel Function of Osteocalcin in Chondrocyte Differentiation and Endochondral Ossification Revealed on a CRISPR/Cas9 <i>bglap-bglap2</i> Deficiency Mouse Model.

ABSTRACT: Endochondral ossification is the process by which cartilage is mineralized into bone, and is essential for the development of long bones. Osteocalcin (OCN), a protein abundant in bone matrix, also exhibits high expression in chondrocytes, especially hypertrophic chondrocytes, while its role in endochondral ossification remains unclear. Utilizing a new CRISPR/Cas9-mediated bglap-bglap2 deficiency (OCN^em) mouse model generated in our laboratory, we provide the first evidence of OCN's regulatory function in chondrocyte differentiation and endochondral ossification. The OCN^em mice exhibited significant delays in primary and secondary ossification centers compared to wild-type mice, along with increased cartilage length in growth plates and hypertrophic zones during

SUBMITTER: Yu XF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11431882 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature