title: Identification of the homeobox protein Prx1 (MHox, Prrx-1) as a regulator of osterix expression and mediator of tumor necrosis factor α action in osteoblast differentiation.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) promotes bone loss and inhibits bone formation. Osterix (Osx, SP7) is a transcription factor required for osteoblast (OB) differentiation because deletion results in a cartilaginous skeleton. We previously described a TNF suppressor element in the Osx promoter that was used to isolate nuclear proteins mediating TNF inhibition of OB differentiation. Nuclear extracts from TNF-treated pre-OBs were incubated with the TNF suppressor element for protein pull-down, and tryptic fragments were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay confirmed eight bound transcription factors. One protein, the paired related homeobox protein (Prx1), had been shown previously to have a critical role in limb bud formation and skeletal patterning. PCR revealed Prx1 expression in primary stromal cells (MSCs), C3H10T1/2 cells, and MC3T3 preosteoblasts. TNF stimulated a 14-fold increase in mRNA for Prx1, rapid cell accumulation in MC3T3 cells, and expression in periosteal and trabecular lining cells in vivo. Transient expression of Prx inhibited transcription of Osx and RUNX2. Expression of the Prx1b isoform or Prx2 decreased Osx and RUNX2 mRNA and OB differentiation in preosteoblasts. Silencing of Prx1 with siRNA abrogated TNF suppression of Osx mRNA and increased basal Osx expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift revealed Prx1b as the preferred isoform binding the Osx promoter. These results identify the homeobox protein Prx1 as an obligate mediator of TNF inhibition of Osx and differentiation of OB progenitors. Activation of Prx1 by TNF may contribute to reduced bone formation in inflammatory arthritis, menopause, and aging.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, VA Medical Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Xianghuai
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Linda C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Corinne E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Camalier
authors.forename: Nicholas W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Bateman
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Hood
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Conrads
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: Shaojin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Nanes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000076182:Sp7 Transcription Factor; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D050659:Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; C489936:Prrx1 protein, mouse; C115469:Prrx2 protein, mouse; D000076182:Sp7 Transcription Factor; C479466:Sp7 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha