title: FGF2 promotes Msx2 stimulated PC-1 expression via Frs2/MAPK signaling.
abstract: PC-1 is an enzymatic generator of pyrophosphate and a critical regulator of tissue mineralization. We previously showed that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) specifically induces PC-1 expression in calvarial pre-osteoblasts and that this occurs via a transcriptional mechanism involving Runx2. Because aberrant FGF signaling and Msx2 activity result in similar craniofacial skeletal defects and because Msx2 is an established regulator of osteoblastic gene expression, here we investigate Msx2 as an additional mediator of PC-1 gene expression. mRNA analysis and experiments utilizing PC-1 gene promoter/luciferase reporter constructs demonstrate that Msx2 promotes transcription of the PC-1 gene downstream of FGF2. Results indicate that both Msx2 and Runx2 are recruited to a conserved core Msx2 binding site within the PC-1 gene promoter upon FGF2 stimulation, and that Msx2 and Runx2 function together to induce PC-1 gene expression in osteoblastic cells. Here we show that FGF signaling promotes Msx2 transcriptional activity on the PC-1 gene promoter via the Frs2/MAPK signaling pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Msx2 functioning as a transcriptional enhancer downstream of FGF2 in calvarial pre-osteoblasts. As activating mutations in FGF receptors and Msx2 result in similar craniofacial skeletal disorders, our findings support the idea that FGF signaling and Msx2 activity influence cranial osteogenesis via the same molecular mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1078, USA.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Sungsu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Nan E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Hatch
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000235:genetics*; D011755:Pyrophosphatases / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C106534:FRS2 protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C084119:MSX2 protein; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; C065962:ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1; D011755:Pyrophosphatases