C/EBPbeta Promotes transition from proliferation to hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes through transactivation of p57.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although transition from proliferation to hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes is a crucial step for endochondral ossification in physiological skeletal growth and pathological disorders like osteoarthritis, the underlying mechanism remains an enigma. This study investigated the role of the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPbeta) in chondrocytes during endochondral ossification.

Methodology/principal findings

Mouse embryos with homozygous deficiency in C/EBPbeta (C/EBPbeta-/-) exhibited dwarfism with elongated proliferative zone and delayed chondrocyte hypertrophy in the growth plate cartilage. In the cultures of primary C/EBPbeta-/- chondrocytes, cell proliferation was enhanced while hypertrophic differentiation was suppressed

SUBMITTER: Hirata M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2638010 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature