Runx2/Cbfa1 is essential for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Runx2 null mice (Runx2(-/-)) completely lack mineralized tissue and die soon after birth, whereas Runx2 heterozygous knock-out mice (Runx2(+/-)) stay alive but show morphological defects in the skeletal system as observed in cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) in humans. The aim of this study is to elucidate the role of Runx2...

The transcription factor Runx2 has been reported to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in many tumors. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is described as the mimicry of endothelial cells by tumor cells to form microvascular tubes in aggressive tumors. Galectin-3 has been reported to regulate cell invasion, migration, and VM formation; it could be regulated by Runx2. However, the relationshi...

RUNX2 is a member of the runt family of DNA-binding transcription factors. RUNX2 mediates endothelial cell migration and invasion during tumor angiogenesis and is expressed in metastatic breast and prostate tumors. Our published studies showed that RUNX2 DNA-binding activity is low during growth arrest, but elevated in proliferating endothelial cells. To investigate its role in cell proliferati...

PURPOSE Previously, FTY720 was found to possess potent anticancer effects on various types of cancer. In the present study, we aimed to first verify the role of Runx2 in prostate cancer progression and metastasis, and, subsequently, assessed if FTY720 could modulate Runx2 expression, thus interfering downstream events regulated by this protein. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN First, the association betwe...

AIM Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a direct target gene of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling, plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. We previously showed that Runx2, a key transcription factor in osteoblast differentiation, regulates osteogenic conversion and dedifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In this study, we investigated t...

Dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) consists of dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and dentin phosphoprotein (DPP). The spatial-temporal expression of DSPP is largely restricted during differentiational stages of dental cells. DSPP plays a vital role in tooth development. It is known that an osteoblast-specific transcription factor, Runx2, is essential for osteoblast differentiation. However, effects of R...

Deletion of TIEG1/KLF10 in mice results in a gender specific osteopenic skeletal phenotype with significant defects in both cortical and trabecular bone, which are observed only in female animals. Calvarial osteoblasts isolated from TIEG1 knockout (KO) mice display reduced expression levels of multiple bone related genes, including Runx2, and exhibit significant delays in their mineralization r...

The Runx2 (Cbfa1/AML3) transcription factor and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) are key regulators of growth plate maturation and bone formation. The genes for both proteins are characteristic markers of breast and prostate cancer cells that metastasize to bone. Here we experimentally addressed the compelling question of whether Runx2 and MMP are functionally linked. By cDNA expression array ...

AIM To investigate clinical significance of runt-related transcription factor (RUNX)-2 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS RUNX2 protein expression and its subcellular localization were detected by immunohistochemistry in 116 patients with EOC. RESULTS RUNX2 protein was predominantly expressed in cell nucleus of EOC tissues. The expression level of RUNX2 in EOC tissues was significa...

Prostate cancer patients with regional lymph node involvement at radical prostatectomy often experience disease progression to other organs, with the bone as the predominant site. The transcription factor Runx2 plays an important role in bone formation and prostate cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Here we showed that the forkhead box O (FOXO1) protein, a key downstream effector ...