Krüppel-like zinc finger protein Glis3 promotes osteoblast differentiation by regulating FGF18 expression.
The zinc finger protein Glis3 is highly expressed in human osteoblasts and acts synergistically with BMP2 and Shh in enhancing osteoblast differentiation in multipotent C3H10T1/2 cells. This induction of osteoblast differentiation is at least in part caused by the induction of FGF18 expression. This study supports a regulatory role for Glis3 in osteoblast differentiation.


BACKGROUND
Gli-similar 3 (Glis3) is closely related to members of the Gli subfamily of Krüppel-like zinc finger proteins, transcription factors that act downstream of sonic hedgehog (Shh). In this study, we analyzed the expression of Glis3 in human osteoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Moreover, we examined the regulatory role of Glis3 in the differentiation of multipotent C3H10T1/2 cells into osteoblasts and adipocytes.


METHODS
Microarray analysis was performed to identify genes regulated by Glis3 in multipotent C3H10T1/2 cells. Reporter and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed to analyze the regulation of fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) by Glis3.


RESULTS
Glis3 promotes osteoblast differentiation in C3H10T1/2 cells as indicated by the induction of alkaline phosphatase activity and increased expression of osteopontin, osteocalcin, and Runx2. In contrast, Glis3 expression inhibits adipocyte differentiation. Glis3 acts synergistically with BMP2 and Shh in inducing osteoblast differentiation. Deletion analysis indicated that the carboxyl-terminal activation function of Glis3 is needed for its stimulation of osteoblast differentiation. Glis3 is highly expressed in human osteoblasts and induced in MSCs during differentiation along the osteoblast lineage. Microarray analysis identified FGF18 as one of the genes induced by Glis3 in C3H10T1/2 cells. Promoter analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that a Glis3 binding site in the FGF18 promoter flanking region is important in its regulation by Glis3.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that Glis3 positively regulates differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells into osteoblasts and inhibits adipocyte differentiation. Glis3 acts synergistically with BMP2 and Shh in inducing osteoblast differentiation. The promotion of osteoblast differentiation by Glis3 involves increased expression of FGF18, a positive regulator of osteogenesis. This, in conjunction with the induction of Glis3 expression during osteoblast differentiation in MSCs and its expression in osteoblasts, suggests that Glis3 is an important modulator of MSC differentiation.
Beak
Ju Youn
JY
Cell Biology Section, LRB, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health Research, Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.
Kang
Hong Soon
HS
Kim
Yong-Sik
YS
Jetten
Anton M
AM
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016335:Zinc Fingers
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C113569:fibroblast growth factor 18; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors