Modulation of transcriptional regulation during bone and cartilage development and their disease]

Genetic and biochemical studies have identified transcription factors critical and specific for bone and cartilage development. More recent studies revealed the molecular mechanisms how these transcription factors regulate bone and cartilage development. Especially, we appreciate recent advances in molecular function of the complex assembled by these transcription factors and epigenetic regulation of them. Aging, inflammation, biological stress, and disorder of endocrine system induce several bone and/or cartilage diseases by affecting the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation. In this review, we would like to describe the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation during developmental and pathological stages. In addition, we discuss possible application of these information in regeneration of bone and cartilage.