Runx2 regulation and its isoforms / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Runx2 is a transcription factor essential for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation.Expression of Runx2 is initiated from two promoters,the distal P1 promoter and the proximal P2 promoter.These promoters give rise to two major protein isoforms with distinct amino termini,named as Runx2-TypeI and Runx2-TypeII.Here we review some integrated complex pathways(Wnt/LRP5/?-catenin,BMP/Smads/DPC4,Vitamin D/VDR/VDRE pathway,etc) and several key proteins(Msx2,Dlx5,Twists,etc) necessary for regulating Runx2 activity and bone formation,which give us new hints on controlling osteoblast differentiation by drug therapy and treating osteoporosis by gene therapy.