| Popis: |
CCN2/CTGF is a multifunctional molecule that has been shown to play a central role in chondrocyte differentiation. During this process, the expression of ccn2 is tightly regulated to confer a maximal level at prehypertrophic – hypertrophic stages, in which the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the mRNA is critically involved in mediating its post-transcriptional regulation. In our previous studies, we found that a 40-kDa protein binding specifically to an RNA cis-element, 3'-100/50, in the 3'-UTR of the chicken ccn2 mRNA regulated the intracellular stability of the mRNA. The interaction of this 40-kDa protein with 3′-100/50 was enhanced in proliferating chondrocytes, in which ccn2 mRNA is rapidly degraded; whereas a prolonged half life of ccn2 mRNA is observed in hypertrophic chondrocytes, where the interaction of the 40 kDa-protein and 3'-100/50 is diminished. Collectively, the data suggested that this 40-kDa protein acts as a ccn2-specific mRNA destabilizer during chondrocyte differentiation. |
