C2C12 myoblast/osteoblast transdifferentiation steps enhanced by epigenetic inhibition of BMP2 endocytosis.

We investigated the modulation of critical transcriptional steps of C2C12 myoblast/osteoblast transdifferentiation triggered by the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) signaling protein, in response to epigenetic inhibition of the endocytotic internalization of exogenous BMP2. BMP2 endocytosis was inhibited chemically with polyethylene glycol-50 (PEG-Chol) and cyclodextrin and mechanically by mild hyposmotic treatment. BMP2-dependent nuclear translocation of the mother against Dpp (Smad1) transcription factor was ten times faster if BMP2 endocytosis was inhibited.