Regulation of the osteoblast-specific transcription factor Osterix by NO66, a Jumonji family histone demethylase.

ABSTRACT: Osterix (Osx) is an osteoblast-specific transcription factor required for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Osx null mice develop a normal cartilage skeleton but fail to form bone and to express osteoblast-specific marker genes. To better understand the control of transcriptional regulation by Osx, we identified Osx-interacting proteins using proteomics approaches. Here, we report that a Jumonji C (JmjC)-domain containing protein, called NO66, directly interacts with Osx and inhibits Osx-mediated promoter activation. The knockdown of NO66 in preosteoblast cells triggered accelerated osteoblast differentiation and mineralization, and markedly stimulated the expression of Osx target genes. A JmjC-dependent histone demethylase activity was exhibited by NO66, which was specific fo

SUBMITTER: Sinha KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2780536 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature