title: Expanding the role of Src and protein-tyrosine phosphatases balance in modulating osteoblast metabolism: lessons from mice.
abstract: The widespread nature of protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation underscores its key role in cell signaling metabolism, growth and differentiation. Tyrosine phosphorylation of cytoplasmic proteins is a critical event in the regulation of intracellular signaling pathways activated by external stimuli. An adequate balance in protein phosphorylation is a major factor in the regulation of osteoclast and osteoblast activities involved in bone metabolism. However, although phosphorylation is widely recognized as an important regulatory pathway in skeletal development and maintenance, the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Among the putative protein-tyrosine kinases (ptk) and protein-tyrosine phosphatases (ptp) involved in this phenomenon there is increasing evidence that Src and low molecular weight-ptps play a central role in a range of osteoblast activities, from adhesion to differentiation. A role for Src in bone metabolism was first demonstrated in Src-deficient mice and has since been confirmed using low molecular weight Src inhibitors in animal models of osteoporosis. Several studies have shown that Src is important for cellular proliferation, adhesion and motility. In contrast, few studies have assessed the importance of the ptk/ptp balance in driving osteoblast metabolism. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the functional importance of the ptk/ptp balance in osteoblast metabolism, and highlight directions for future research that should improve our understanding of these critical signaling molecules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil. wzambuzzi@gmail.com
authors.forename: Willian F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Zambuzzi
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milani
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / Q000502:physiology*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D019061:src-Family Kinases / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D019061:src-Family Kinases; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases