Runx2 and Axin2 Interactions During Bone Formation

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project explores the molecular and physiological interactions between two crucial regulators of bone repair/regeneration and optimal bone mass accrual and maintenance: Runx2 and Axin2. Runx2 (Cbfa1) is a transcription factor required for osteoblastogenesis and chondrocyte hypertrophy. Runx2-deficiency is postnatally lethal, whereas Runx2-haploinsufficiency causes cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) and osteopenia. The only known biologic means to at least partially rescue the phenotype in Runx2 mice is by inhibiting Gsk3- 2. Axin2 is a concentration-limiting scaffolding protein that assembles Gsk3-2, 2-catenin and other components into the 2-catenin destruction complex. Axin2 is a negative feedback regulator of canonical Wnt signaling and slows osteoblast proliferation. Interestingly, Axin2 knockout mice have high trabecular bone mass. Thus, Axin2-deficiency and Runx2-haploinsufficiency cause opposing trabecular bone phenotypes. We show that Axin2 levels are increased in Runx2-deficient cells. The central hypothesis of this project is that Runx2 promotes bone mass and strength by actively repressing Axin2 and enhancing Wnt/2-catenin signaling in bone cells. The objective of this proposal is to quantitatively assess the phenotypes of "double mutant" Runx2:Axin2-/- mice relative to "single mutant" Runx2 or Axin2-/- mice and to determine if the interaction between Runx2 and Axin2 regulates bone cell differentiation.