BMP signaling orchestrates a transcriptional network to control the fate of mesenchymal stem cells in mice.

ABSTRACT: Signaling pathways are used reiteratively in different developmental processes yet produce distinct cell fates through specific downstream transcription factors. In this study, we used tooth root development as a model with which to investigate how the BMP signaling pathway regulates transcriptional complexes to direct the fate determination of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We first identified the MSC population supporting mouse molar root growth as Gli1⁺ cells. Using a Gli1-driven Cre-mediated recombination system, our results provide the first in vivo evidence that BMP signaling activity is required for the odontogenic differentiation of MSCs. Specifically, we identified the transcription factors Pax9, Klf4, Satb2 and Lhx8 as being downstream of BMP signali

SUBMITTER: Feng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5536932 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature