[Chondrogenic differentiation and transcription factors].

Molecular understanding of cartilage differentiation has been improved during the past decade. The finding of Sox9 in particular has improved our understanding of the molecular events during cartilage formation. However, a relatively few transcription factors have been proven to be involved in chondrogenesis. Therefore, the majority of transcription factors and their networks for the differentiation and maturation of chondrocytes may well remain to be elucidated. Here, we summarize the present state of research on transcription factors involved in the differentiation of chondrocytes.