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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published on: June 8, 2014
Pharmacological topics of bone metabolism: antiresorptive microbial compounds that inhibit osteoclast
Je-Tae Woo1, Takayuki Yonezawa, Byung-Yoon Cha
1Department of Biological Chemistry, Chubu University, Matsumoto, Kasugai, Japan. jwoo@isc.chubu.ac.jp
Abstract:
The mass and function of bones depends on the maintenance of a complicated balance between osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation. Osteoporosis typically reflects an imbalance in skeletal turnover, such that bone resorption exceeds bone formation. Osteoclasts are target cells for anti-osteoporosis therapies. To discover new types of antiresorptive agents, we screened for natural compounds that regulate osteoclast differentiation, function, and survival. As a result, we identified reveromycin A, destruxins, mevastatin, FK506, cyclosporin A, prodigiosins, concanamycins, and symbioimine among microbial natural compounds. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of action of these compounds on osteoclasts.
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