Zoledronic acid up-regulates bone sialoprotein expression in osteoblastic cells through Rho GTPase inhibition.
Clinical practice reveals that osteoporotic women treated with BPs (bisphosphonates) show an increased bone mass density and a reduced risk of fractures. However, the mechanisms leading to these beneficial effects of BPs are still poorly understood. We hypothesized that ZOL (zoledronic acid), a potent third-generation BP, may induce the expression of proteins associated with the bone-forming potential of osteoblastic cells such as BSP (bone sialo-protein). Expression of BSP gene is up-regulated by hormones that promote bone formation and has been associated with de novo bone mineralization. Using real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR and Western-blot analysis, we demonstrated that ZOL increased BSP expression in Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells. Nuclear run-on and mRNA decay assays showed no effect at the transcriptional level but a stabilization of BSP transcripts in ZOL-treated cells. ZOL effect on BSP expression occurred through an interference with the mevalonate pathway since it was reversed by either mevalonate pathway intermediates or a Rho GTPase activator. We showed that ZOL impaired membrane localization of RhoA in Saos-2 cells indicating reduced prenylation of this protein. By the use of small interfering RNAs directed to RhoA and Rac1, we identified both Rho GTPases as negative regulators of BSP expression in Saos-2 cells. Our study demonstrates that ZOL induces BSP expression in osteoblast-like cells through inactivation of Rho GTPases and provides a potential mechanism to explain the favourable effects of ZOL treatment on bone mass and integrity.
Metastasis Research Laboratory, Center of Experimental Cancer Research, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Michaël
M
Chaplet
Cédric
C
Detry
Christophe
C
Deroanne
Larry W
LW
Fisher
Vincent
V
Castronovo
Akeila
A
Bellahcéne
D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D004164:Diphosphonates; C546871:IBSP protein, human; D007093:Imidazoles; D058574:Integrin-Binding Sialoprotein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid; D020830:rac1 GTP-Binding Protein; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein