Loss of histone methyltransferase Ezh2 stimulates an osteogenic transcriptional program in chondrocytes but does not affect cartilage development.

ABSTRACT: Ezh2 is a histone methyltransferase that suppresses osteoblast maturation and skeletal development. We evaluated the role of Ezh2 in chondrocyte lineage differentiation and endochondral ossification. Ezh2 was genetically inactivated in the mesenchymal, osteoblastic, and chondrocytic lineages in mice using the Prrx1-Cre, Osx1-Cre, and Col2a1-Cre drivers, respectively. WT and conditional knockout mice were phenotypically assessed by gross morphology, histology, and micro-CT imaging. Ezh2-deficient chondrocytes in micromass culture models were evaluated using RNA-Seq, histologic evaluation, and Western blotting. Aged mice with Ezh2 deficiency were also evaluated for premature development of osteoarthritis using radiographic analysis.

SUBMITTER: Camilleri ET 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6295726 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature