Abstract
Each Runx (runt-related gene) protein exerts a fundamental role in different cell lineages. Runx2 is essential for osteoblast differentiation and plays an important role in chondrocyte maturation. Runx2 determines the lineage of osteoblastic cells from multipotent mesenchymal cells, enhances osteoblast differentiation at an early stage, and inhibits osteoblast differentiation at a late stage. In addition, Runx2 is involved in the production of bone matrix proteins. Further, Runx2 is a positive regulator of chondrocyte maturation and is involved in vascular invasion into the cartilage. Core binding factor beta (Cbfb) is a cotranscription factor which forms a heterodimer with Runx proteins. Cbfb is required for the functions of Runx1 and Runx2. Thus, Runx2/Cbfb heterodimers play essential roles in skeletal development.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Bone Matrix / metabolism
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Bone and Bones / cytology*
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Bone and Bones / embryology
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Bone and Bones / physiology*
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Cell Differentiation / physiology
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Chondrocytes / cytology
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Chondrocytes / physiology
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Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
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Core Binding Factor alpha Subunits
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Core Binding Factor beta Subunit
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Core Binding Factors
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DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Mice
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Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*
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Osteoblasts / cytology
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Osteoblasts / physiology
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Transcription Factor AP-2
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Transcription Factors / physiology*
Substances
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Cbfb protein, mouse
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Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
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Core Binding Factor alpha Subunits
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Core Binding Factor beta Subunit
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Core Binding Factors
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Neoplasm Proteins
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Runx2 protein, mouse
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Transcription Factor AP-2
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Transcription Factors