title: PTHrP modulates chondrocyte differentiation through AP-1 and CREB signaling.
abstract: During the process of differentiation, chondrocytes integrate a complex array of signals from local or systemic factors like parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), Indian hedgehog, bone morphogenetic proteins and transforming growth factor beta. While PTHrP is known to be a critical regulator of chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation, the signaling pathways through which this factor acts remain to be elucidated. Here we show that both cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and AP-1 activation are critical to PTHrP signaling in chondrocytes. PTHrP treatment leads to rapid CREB phosphorylation and activation, while CREB DNA binding activity is constitutive. In contrast, PTHrP induces AP-1 DNA binding activity through induction of c-Fos protein expression. PTHrP activates CRE and TRE reporter constructs primarily through PKA-mediated signaling events. Both signaling pathways were found to be important mediators of PTHrP effects on chondrocyte phenotype. Alone, PTHrP suppresses maturation and stimulates proliferation of the chondrocyte cultures. However, in the presence of dominant negative inhibitors of CREB and c-Fos, these PTHrP effects were suppressed, and chondrocyte maturation was accelerated. Moreover, in combination, the effects of dominant negative c-Fos and CREB are synergistic, suggesting interaction between these signaling pathways during chondrocyte differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Biochemistry, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ionescu
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vinson
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Puzas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosier
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D011506:Proteins; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D011493:Protein Kinase C