Role of forkhead box gene family in bone metabolism.

Bone metabolism is associated with many bone diseases and regulated by multiple signal pathways. Over the past three decades, the functions of a superfamily of evolutionarily conserved transcriptional regulators, known as forkhead box (Fox) family, has been demonstrated to contribute to the bone metabolism. Genetic analysis studies have demonstrated that Fox gene family participate in bone metabolism and that their expression can be regulated by multiple factors. The deregulation of Fox gene family can lead to a series of bone metabolic diseases. In this manuscript, we sketched the biology of the Foxs family, summarized its function of regulating bone metabolism and maintaining bone homeostasis to estimate its potential therapeutic effects in bone diseases, and suggested directions for future exploration in this important field.