Abstract
Metformin is an oral anti-diabetic drug of the biguanide class that is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study examined the molecular mechanism for the action of metformin on osteoblast differentiation. Metformin-induced mRNA expression of the osteogenic genes and small heterodimer partner (SHP) in MC3T3E1 cells were determined by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. Metformin increased significantly the expression of the key osteogenic genes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) as well as SHP. Transient transfection assays were performed in MC3T3E1 cells to confirm the effects of metformin on SHP, OC and Runx2 promoter activities. Metformin increased the transcription of the SHP and OC genes, and the metformin effect was inhibited by dominant negative form of AMPK (DN-AMPK) or compound C (an inhibitor of AMPK). The adenoviral overexpression of SHP increased significantly the level of ALP staining and OC production. However, metformin did not have any significant effect on osteogenic gene expression, ALP staining and activity, and OC production in SHP null (SHP−/−) primary calvarial cells. Moreover, upstream stimulatory factor-1 (USF-1) specifically mediated metformin-induced SHP gene expression. In addition, metformin-induced AMPK activation increased the level of Runx2 mRNA and protein. However, USF-1 and SHP were not involved in metformin-induced Runx2 expression. Transient transfection and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that metformin-induced SHP interacts physically and forms a complex with Runx2 on the osteocalcin gene promoter in MC3T3E1 cells. These results suggest that metformin may stimulate osteoblast differentiation through the transactivation of Runx2 via AMPK/USF-1/SHP regulatory cascade in mouse calvaria-derived cells.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.