Meteorin-Like Shows Unique Expression Pattern in Bone and Its Overexpression Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 11; no. 10; p. e0164446
• Main Authors: Gong, Weiyan, Liu, Yong, Wu, Zhihong, Wang, Shaohai, Qiu, Guixing, Lin, Shouqing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 07.10.2016; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Activator protein 1; Adipokines - genetics; Analysis; Animals; Biocompatibility; Biology and Life Sciences; Bone and Bones - metabolism; Bone cancer; Cancellous bone; Cell differentiation; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Cell fusion; Cell Line; Cell Line, Tumor; CHO Cells; Chondrocytes; Chondrocytes - metabolism; Cloning; Cricetulus; Differentiation (biology); Fusion protein; Gene expression; Genes; Genetic research; Growth factors; Gynecology; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Laboratory animals; Luciferase; Medicine and Health Sciences; Mineralization; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; Obstetrics; Osteoblastogenesis; Osteoblasts; Osteoblasts - metabolism; Osteogenesis - genetics; Osteosarcoma; Osteosarcoma - genetics; Osteosarcoma - metabolism; Proteins; Research and Analysis Methods; Rodents; Sarcoma; Transcription (Genetics); Transcription Factor AP-1 - metabolism; Transcription factors; Transcription, Genetic - genetics; Transfection; Transfection - methods
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164446
• ISSN: 1932-6203

The present study was performed to identify and characterize genes involved in osteoblasts function. Firstly, we constructed and sequenced a human osteoblast full-length cDNA library to screen for genes whose functions have not been reported and further identify these candidate genes through detecting the relationship with the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complex using a dual luciferase reporter system. Only one gene, namely METRNL (Meteorin, glial cell differentiation regulator-like) has been screened out. We performed immunohistochemistry to analyze expression patterns in bone and established a stable transfection MG63 cell line of METRNL-EGFP fusion protein overexpression to analyze the function of METRNL in mineralized nodule formation. Immunohistochemistry showed METRNL expression in hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts lining trabecular bone surfaces. Overexpression of METRNL inhibited mineralized nodule formation by the MG63 osteosarcoma cell line. Thus, the identified gene, METRNL, which is associated with AP-1 transcription factor complex activity, has a unique expression pattern in bone. In addition, the anomalous expression of METRNL may inhibit bone cell differentiation.