Regulation of bone metabolism by Wnt signals #MMPMID26711238
Kobayashi Y; Uehara S; Udagawa N; Takahashi N
J Biochem 2016[Apr]; 159 (4): 387-92 PMID26711238show ga
Wnt ligands play a central role in the development and homeostasis of various organs through ?-catenin-dependent and -independent signalling. The crucial roles of Wnt/?-catenin signals in bone mass have been established by a large number of studies since the discovery of a causal link between mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (Lrp5) gene and alternations in human bone mass. The activation of Wnt/?-catenin signalling induces the expression of osterix, a transcription factor, which promotes osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, this signalling induces the expression of osteoprotegerin, an osteoclast inhibitory factor in osteoblast-lineage cells to prevent bone resorption. Recent studies have also shown that Wnt5a, a typical non-canonical Wnt ligand, enhanced osteoclast formation. In contrast, Wnt16 inhibited osteoclast formation through ?-catenin-independent signalling. In this review, we discussed the current understanding of the Wnt signalling molecules involved in bone formation and resorption.