The YAP/TAZ transcriptional co-activators have opposing effects at different stages of osteoblast differentiation

The related transcriptional co-factors YAP (Yes-associated protein) and TAZ (transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif) have been proposed to either promote or inhibit osteoblast differentiation. Here we investigated the skeletal consequences of deleting YAP and TAZ at different stages of the osteoblast lineage using Prx1-Cre, Osx1-Cre, and Dmp1-Cre transgenic mice. Prx1-Cre-mediated deletion resulted in embryonic lethality. Mice lacking both copies of TAZ and one copy of YAP in cells targeted by Prx1-Cre were viable and displayed elevated bone mass associated increased bone formation.

Source: Bone - April 4, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Jinhu Xiong, Maria Almeida, Charles A. O'Brien Tags: Full Length Article Source Type: research