delta-EF1 is a negative regulator of Ihh in the developing growth plate.
Indian hedgehog (Ihh) regulates proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes in the growth plate. Although the biology of Ihh is currently well documented, its transcriptional regulation is poorly understood. delta-EF1 is a two-handed zinc finger/homeodomain transcriptional repressor. Targeted inactivation of mouse delta-EF1 leads to skeletal abnormalities including disorganized growth plates, shortening of long bones, and joint fusions, which are reminiscent of defects associated with deregulation of Ihh signaling. Here, we show that the absence of delta-EF1 results in delayed hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes and increased cell proliferation in the growth plate. Further, we demonstrate that delta-EF1 binds to the putative regulatory elements in intron 1 of Ihh in vitro and in vivo, resulting in down-regulation of Ihh expression. Finally, we show that delta-EF1 haploinsufficiency leads to a postnatal increase in trabecular bone mass associated with enhanced Ihh expression. In summary, we have identified delta-EF1 as an in vivo negative regulator of Ihh expression in the growth plate.
Bellon
Ellen
E
Laboratory of Skeletal Development and Joint Disorders, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
Luyten
Frank P
FP
Tylzanowski
Przemko
P
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002642:Chick Embryo; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005121:Extremities / Q000254:growth & development; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000071799:Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1
D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C514061:ihh protein, mouse; C519422:ZEB1 protein, mouse; D000071799:Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1