成骨细胞特异性转录因子 Osterix 对骨形成作用的研究进展

摘要

Bone formation is a complex developmental process involving the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts.The researches on the key factors and the elucidation of their specific molecular mechanism in bone formation have great significance for the treatment of bone metabolic diseases.Osterix ( Osx ) is the only osteoblast-specific transcriptional factor identified so far.The expression of Osx is exclusively found in bone tissues, which plays a decisive role in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts.Without Osx, there is no bone formation and bone regeneration.The discovery of Osx opens a new window to the whole research field of bone formation, giving us a more thorough understanding of the process of bone formation.So far, suspending the bone resorption is the main part in most treatments of bone metabolic diseases, which can suspend the progress of diseases.However, it cannot achieve a radical cure.Considering the importance of Osx in bone formation, researchers are eager to develop drugs affecting on Osx, which would bring a revolutionary progress in the treatment of bone metabolic diseases.So, further study and elucidation of the mechanism between the up-stream factors and down-stream factors in Osx signaling pathway are extremely important.%骨形成是一个涉及从间充质干细胞向成骨细胞分化的复杂发育过程，研究骨形成过程中的关键因子并阐明其作用的具体分子机制对骨代谢性疾病的治疗具有重要意义。 Osterix（ Osx）是迄今为止发现的唯一一个成骨细胞特异性转录因子，Osx只在骨组织细胞中表达，在干细胞向成骨细胞分化过程中起决定性作用，没有Oxs就没有骨形成和骨再生。 Osx的发现为整个骨形成领域的研究开启了新的窗口。基于Osx在骨形成过程中的重要地位，研究者们迫切希望开发出作用于Osx的合成代谢分子，这对骨代谢性疾病的治疗将起到革命性的进步，因此对Osx的上下游因子及信号通路之间具体作用机制的进一步研究和阐明显得尤其重要。笔者对其研究进展做一综述。