title: beta-cryptoxanthin stimulates cell differentiation and mineralization in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.
abstract: The effect of beta-cryptoxanthin, a kind of carotenoid, on cell differentiation and mineralization in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells was investigated. Cells were cultured for 72 h in a minimum essential medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and the cells with subconfluency were changed to a medium containing either vehicle or beta-cryptoxanthin (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) without FBS. Cells were cultured for 3 to 21 days. Gene expression in osteoblastic cells was determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Culture with beta-cryptoxanthin (10(-7) or 10(-6) M) for 3 days caused a significant increase in Runx2 type 1, Runx2 type 2, alpha1 (I) collagen, and alkaline phosphatase mRNA levels in osteoblastic cells. These increases were completely blocked in the presence of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, or 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), an inhibitor of transcriptional activity. Meanwhile, vitamin A (10(-6) M) did not have a significant effect on Runx2 type 1 mRNA expression in the cells. The effect of beta-cryptoxanthin (10(-6) M) in stimulating Runx2 type 1 and alpha1 (I) collagen mRNA levels, protein content, and alkaline phosphatase activity in the cells was also seen in the presence of vitamin A (10(-6) M), suggesting that the mode of beta-cryptoxanthin action differs from that of vitamin A. Prolonged culture with beta-cryptoxanthin (10(-6) M) for 3 to 21 days caused a significant increase in cell number, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content, protein content, and alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblastic cells, suggesting that beta-cryptoxanthin stimulates cell proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, culture with beta-cryptoxanthin (10(-7) or 10(-6) M) for 5 to 21 days caused a remarkable increase in mineralization. This study demonstrates that beta-cryptoxanthin has a stimulatory effect on cell differentiation and mineralization due to enhancing gene expression of proteins, which involve in bone formation in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Endocrinology and Molecular Metabolism, Graduate School of Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
authors.forename: Masayoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D065366:Cryptoxanthins; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D024341:Xanthophylls; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; D065366:Cryptoxanthins; C493716:Runx2 protein, mouse; D024341:Xanthophylls; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase