title: Nmp4/CIZ inhibits mechanically induced beta-catenin signaling activity in osteoblasts.
abstract: Cellular mechanotransduction, the process of converting mechanical signals into biochemical responses within cells, is a critical aspect of bone health. While the effects of mechanical loading on bone are well recognized, elucidating the specific molecular pathways involved in the processing of mechanical signals by bone cells represents a challenge and an opportunity to identify therapeutic strategies to combat bone loss. In this study we have for the first time examined the relationship between the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling transcription factor nuclear matrix protein-4/cas interacting zinc finger protein (Nmp4/CIZ) and beta-catenin signaling in response to a physiologic mechanical stimulation (oscillatory fluid shear stress, OFSS) in osteoblasts. Using calvaria-derived osteoblasts from Nmp4-deficient and wild-type mice, we found that the normal translocation of beta-catenin to the nucleus in osteoblasts that is induced by OFSS is enhanced when Nmp4/CIZ is absent. Furthermore, we found that other aspects of OFSS-induced mechanotransduction generally associated with the beta-catenin signaling pathway, including ERK, Akt, and GSK3beta activity, as well as expression of the beta-catenin-responsive protein cyclin D1 are also enhanced in cells lacking Nmp4/CIZ. Finally, we found that in the absence of Nmp4/CIZ, OFSS-induced cytoskeletal reorganization and the formation of focal adhesions between osteoblasts and the extracellular substrate is qualitatively enhanced, suggesting that Nmp4/CIZ may reduce the sensitivity of bone cells to mechanical stimuli. Together these results provide experimental support for the concept that Nmp4/CIZ plays an inhibitory role in the response of bone cells to mechanical stimulation induced by OFSS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Zhouqi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bidwell
authors.forename: Suzanne R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerard-O'Riley
authors.forename: Haifang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fredrick M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Pavalko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000378:metabolism; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000502:physiology; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D034521:Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D034521:Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C499081:Zfp384 protein, mouse; D051176:beta Catenin; D019938:Cyclin D1; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; C000605507:Gsk3b protein, mouse; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3