G-protein stimulatory subunit alpha and Gq/11α G-proteins are both required to maintain quiescent stem-like chondrocytes.

ABSTRACT: Round chondrocytes in the resting zone of the growth plate provide precursors for columnar chondrocytes and have stem-like properties. Here we demonstrate that these stem-like chondrocytes undergo apoptosis in the absence of the receptor (PPR) for parathyroid hormone-related protein. We examine the possible roles of heterotrimeric G-proteins activated by the PPR. Inactivation of the G-protein stimulatory α-subunit (G(s)α) leads to accelerated differentiation of columnar chondrocytes, as seen in the PPR knockout, but a remnant of growth cartilage remains, in contrast to disappearance of the growth cartilage in the PPR knockout. Stem-like chondrocytes lose their quiescence and proliferate upon G(s)α ablation. Inactivation of G(s)α in mice with a mutant PPR that cannot activate G proteins, Gq

SUBMITTER: Chagin AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4154354 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature