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Slug gene expression supports human osteoblast maturation

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Abstract

This study aims to define the function of Slug transcription factor in human normal osteoblasts (hOBs). To date, Slug is considered exclusively a marker of malignancy in bone tissue. Here, we identified, for the first time, a role for Slug in hOBs using a knockdown approach. We demonstrated that Slug is positively correlated with osteoblast markers, including Runx2, osteopontin, osteocalcin, Collagen type 1, Wnt/β-catenin signaling mediators, and mineral deposition. At the same time, Slug silencing potentiates the expression of Sox-9, a factor indispensable for chondrogenic development. These data, with the finding that Slug is in vivo recruited by the promoters of Runx2 and Sox-9 genes, suggest that, in hOBs, Slug may act both as positive and negative transcriptional regulator of Runx2 and Sox-9 genes, respectively. In summary, our results support the hypothesis that Slug functions as a novel regulator of osteoblast activity and may be considered a new factor required for osteoblast maturation.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grants from MIUR COFIN-2007, Regione Emilia Romagna, Programma di Ricerca Regione Universita’ 2007–2009, the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo. E.L. is a recipient of a fellowship from the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cento.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology Section, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara, 74, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    Elisabetta Lambertini, Elena Torreggiani, Tiziana Franceschetti, Letizia Penolazzi, Roberto Gambari & Roberta Piva

  2. Immunology and Genetics Laboratory, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

    Gina Lisignoli, Cristina Manferdini, Elena Gabusi & Andrea Facchini

  3. Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Andrea Facchini

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  1. Elisabetta Lambertini
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Correspondence to Roberta Piva.

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Lambertini, E., Lisignoli, G., Torreggiani, E. et al. Slug gene expression supports human osteoblast maturation. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 66, 3641–3653 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-009-0149-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-009-0149-5

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