[Regulation of osteoblasts and chondrocytes by Wnt signaling.]

ABSTRACT

Wnt plays important roles in regulation of differentiation of osteoblast and chondrocyte and their function. Wnt family members ingeniously utilize canonical Wnt signaling pathway through ß-catenin and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway independent of ß-catenin, consequently regulating development, formation and homeostasis of bone and cartilage. Recent studies revealed that canonical Wnt signal activates transcriptional regulator, TAZ, in addition to transcription factors, LEF and TCF. Canonical Wnt signal crosstalks with BMP signal by stimulating complex formation of LEF1, TAZ and Runx2. Although molecular mechanism of non-canonical Wnt signal is getting clearer, the precise role of non-canonical Wnt signal in bone and cartilage seems still elusive.