Endocrine Abstracts

The transcription factors Runx2 and osterix (Osx), which are known as downstream genes in BMP2 pathway, are essential for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Runx2 expression is normal in Osx null mice, but Osx is not expressed in Runx2 null mice, indicating that Osx acts as a downstream of Runx2. Here, we questioned whether or not all bones could be formed by BMP2–Runx2–Osx pathway or unknown their own gene axis. To answer this question, we first analyzed...