A Reciprocal Role of the Smad4-Taz Axis in Osteogenesis and Adipogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

ABSTRACT: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into mature cells of various cell types. Although the differentiation process of MSCs requires lineage-specific transcription factors, the exact molecular mechanism that determines MSCs differentiation is not clearly addressed. Here, we demonstrate a Smad4-Taz axis as a new intrinsic regulator for adipo-osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and show that this function of Smad4 is independent of the transforming growth factor-β signal. Smad4 directly bound to the Taz protein and facilitated nuclear localization of Taz through its nuclear localization signal. Nuclear retention of Taz by direct binding to Smad4 increased expression of osteogenic genes through enhancing Taz-runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) inter

SUBMITTER: Park JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7379966 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature