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First published online July 27, 2006

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Canonical Wnt to the bone

Previous studies have implied that the specification of osteoblasts - the cells that secrete bone matrix - involves Hedgehog (Hh) and canonical Wnt signalling. On p. 3231, Rodda and McMahon test this idea directly by genetic manipulation within osteoblast progenitors and find that these pathways have sequential roles in osteoblast specification. By conditionally removing ß-catenin in specific cell types, they show that canonical Wnt signalling is necessary to stop osteoblast precursors from becoming chondrocytes (cells that produce cartilage). Conversely, using a stabilised form of ß-catenin, they found that too much canonical Wnt signalling causes the overproliferation of osteoblast precursors and excessive mineralisation. They have also found that osteoblast specification requires only transient Hh signalling, and that Hh is not required during the formation of mature osteoblasts. The authors go on to discuss how Hh and Wnt might sequentially regulate osteoblast differentiation, speculating that the programmes of chondrocytes and osteoblast development are regulated by a balance between Sox9 and ß-catenin.

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Related articles in Development:

Distinct roles for Hedgehog and canonical Wnt signaling in specification, differentiation and maintenance of osteoblast progenitors

Stephen J. Rodda and Andrew P. McMahon
Development 2006 133: 3231-3244. [Abstract] [Full Text]  

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in Development Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?