title: Gene profile analysis of osteoblast genes differentially regulated by histone deacetylase inhibitors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoblast differentiation requires the coordinated stepwise expression of multiple genes. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) accelerate the osteoblast differentiation process by blocking the activity of histone deacetylases (HDACs), which alter gene expression by modifying chromatin structure. We previously demonstrated that HDIs and HDAC3 shRNAs accelerate matrix mineralization and the expression of osteoblast maturation genes (e.g. alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin). Identifying other genes that are differentially regulated by HDIs might identify new pathways that contribute to osteoblast differentiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To identify other osteoblast genes that are altered early by HDIs, we incubated MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts with HDIs (trichostatin A, MS-275, or valproic acid) for 18 hours in osteogenic conditions. The promotion of osteoblast differentiation by HDIs in this experiment was confirmed by osteogenic assays. Gene expression profiles relative to vehicle-treated cells were assessed by microarray analysis with Affymetrix GeneChip 430 2.0 arrays. The regulation of several genes by HDIs in MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblasts was verified by quantitative real-time PCR. Nine genes were differentially regulated by at least two-fold after exposure to each of the three HDIs and six were verified by PCR in osteoblasts. Four of the verified genes (solute carrier family 9 isoform 3 regulator 1 (Slc9a3r1), sorbitol dehydrogenase 1, a kinase anchor protein, and glutathione S-transferase alpha 4) were induced. Two genes (proteasome subunit, beta type 10 and adaptor-related protein complex AP-4 sigma 1) were suppressed. We also identified eight growth factors and growth factor receptor genes that are significantly altered by each of the HDIs, including Frizzled related proteins 1 and 4, which modulate the Wnt signaling pathway.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identifies osteoblast genes that are regulated early by HDIs and indicates pathways that might promote osteoblast maturation following HDI exposure. One gene whose upregulation following HDI treatment is consistent with this notion is Slc9a3r1. Also known as NHERF1, Slc9a3r1 is required for optimal bone density. Similarly, the regulation of Wnt receptor genes indicates that this crucial pathway in osteoblast development is also affected by HDIs. These data support the hypothesis that HDIs regulate the expression of genes that promote osteoblast differentiation and maturation.
authors.affiliation: The Cancer Center, and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, MMC 806, 420 Delaware Street SW, Minneapolis, MN, USA. tania.schroeder@ammd.com
authors.forename: Tania M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.forename: Aswathy K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Rodney
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Staggs
authors.forename: Anne-Francoise
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Lamblin
authors.forename: Jennifer J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Westendorf
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase