The versatile functions of Sox9 in development, stem cells, and human diseases.

The transcription factor Sox9 was first discovered in patients with campomelic dysplasia, a haploinsufficiency disorder with skeletal deformities caused by dysregulation of expression during chondrogenesis. Since then, its role as a cell fate determiner during embryonic development has been well characterized; expression differentiates cells derived from all three germ layers into a large variety of specialized tissues and organs. However, recent data has shown that ectoderm- and endoderm-derived tissues continue to express in mature organs and stem cell pools, suggesting its role in cell maintenance and specification during adult life.

Crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin and estrogen receptor signaling synergistically promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor cells.

Osteogenic differentiation from mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) are initiated and regulated by a cascade of signaling events. Either Wnt/β-catenin or estrogen signaling pathway has been shown to play an important role in regulating skeletal development and maintaining adult tissue homeostasis. Here, we investigate the potential crosstalk and synergy of these two signaling pathways in regulating osteogenic differentiation of MPCs.

The E-F hand calcium-binding protein S100A4 regulates the proliferation, survival and differentiation potential of human osteosarcoma cells.

Background/aims: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone malignancy in children and young adults. Molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of OS remain to be fully understood. Several members of the E-F hand calcium-binding S100 protein family are differentially expressed in human cancers.