Elucidation of molecular mechanism and physiological significance in the inhibition of osteoblast process formation by Runx2

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K20364
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Morphological basic dentistry
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: KAWAI Yosuke 長崎大学, 病院(歯学系), 助教 (50423629)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: Runx2 / 骨芽細胞突起 / 骨芽細胞成熟

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In osteoblast-specific Runx2 transgenic mice, osteoblast maturation was inhibited and most of the osteoblasts were immature. Whole bone was formed by woven bone, the mice frequently suffered bone fracture, osteocytes were virtually absent, and the number of osteoblast processes were severely reduced. It suggested that cytoskeletal change, especially process formation, may determine osteoblast maturation. The examination of the number of osteoblast processes by the introduction of Runx2 or Runx2 siRNA revealed that the number of osteoblast processes and Runx2 expression levels are inversely related, and that Runx2 is involved in the regulation of osteoblast process formation.

Free Research Field

口腔外科学、骨代謝学