Nkx3.2 induces oxygen concentration-independent and lysosome-dependent degradation of HIF-1α to modulate hypoxic responses in chondrocytes.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) is a DNA-binding transcription factor regulating hypoxic responses. It plays a key role in vascularization and angiogenesis as well as various metabolic pathways. Interestingly, during early phase endochondral ossification when HIF expression in chondrocytes is evident, developing cartilage primordia remains avascular until hypertrophic calcification commences.

The endothelial E3 ligase HECW2 promotes endothelial cell junctions by increasing AMOTL1 protein stability via K63-linked ubiquitination.

Cell-to-cell junctions are critical for the formation of endothelial barriers, and its disorganization is required for sprouting angiogenesis. Members of the angiomotin (AMOT) family have emerged as key regulators in the control of endothelial cell (EC) junction stability and permeability. However, the underlying mechanism by which the AMOT family is regulated in ECs remains unclear.

Suppression of Nkx3.2 by phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signaling regulates cartilage development by modulating chondrocyte hypertrophy.

Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) is a key regulator of diverse biological processes including cell proliferation, migration, survival, and differentiation. While a role of PI3K in chondrocyte differentiation has been suggested, its precise mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Here we show that PI3K signaling can down-regulate Nkx3.