title: Meteorin-Like Shows Unique Expression Pattern in Bone and Its Overexpression Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation.
abstract: The present study was performed to identify and characterize genes involved in osteoblasts function. Firstly, we constructed and sequenced a human osteoblast full-length cDNA library to screen for genes whose functions have not been reported and further identify these candidate genes through detecting the relationship with the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complex using a dual luciferase reporter system. Only one gene, namely METRNL (Meteorin, glial cell differentiation regulator-like) has been screened out. We performed immunohistochemistry to analyze expression patterns in bone and established a stable transfection MG63 cell line of METRNL-EGFP fusion protein overexpression to analyze the function of METRNL in mineralized nodule formation. Immunohistochemistry showed METRNL expression in hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts lining trabecular bone surfaces. Overexpression of METRNL inhibited mineralized nodule formation by the MG63 osteosarcoma cell line. Thus, the identified gene, METRNL, which is associated with AP-1 transcription factor complex activity, has a unique expression pattern in bone. In addition, the anomalous expression of METRNL may inhibit bone cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Weiyan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zhihong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shaohai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Guixing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shouqing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D016466:CHO Cells; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D003412:Cricetulus; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C502097:METRN protein, human; C000593412:Metrnl protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1