Ducy P, Schinke T, Karsenty G
Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Science. 2000 Sep 1;289(5484):1501-4. doi: 10.1126/science.289.5484.1501.
The study of the biology of osteoblasts, or bone-forming cells, illustrates how mammalian genetics has profoundly modified our understanding of cell differentiation and physiologic processes. Indeed, genetic-based studies over the past 5 years have revealed how osteoblast differentiation is controlled through growth and transcription factors. Likewise, the recent identification, using mutant mouse models, of a central component in the regulation of bone formation expands our understanding of the control of bone remodeling. This regulatory loop, which involves the hormone leptin, may help to explain the protective effect of obesity on bone mass in humans. In addition, it provides a novel physiologic concept that may shed light on the etiology of osteoporosis and help to identify new therapeutic targets.
对成骨细胞（即骨形成细胞）生物学的研究，阐明了哺乳动物遗传学如何深刻地改变了我们对细胞分化和生理过程的理解。事实上，过去5年基于遗传学的研究揭示了成骨细胞分化是如何通过生长因子和转录因子来控制的。同样，最近利用突变小鼠模型鉴定出的骨形成调节中的一个核心成分，扩展了我们对骨重塑控制的理解。这个涉及激素瘦素的调节回路，可能有助于解释肥胖对人类骨量的保护作用。此外，它提供了一个新的生理学概念，可能有助于阐明骨质疏松症的病因，并有助于确定新的治疗靶点。
