Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Stimulation of Notch Signaling in Mouse Osteoclast Precursors
Published on: February 28, 2017
Lyn inhibits osteoclast differentiation by interfering with PLCgamma1-mediated Ca2+ signaling
Soo-Hyun Yoon1, Youngkyun Lee, Hyung-Joon Kim
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Osteoclasts differentiate from macrophage-lineage cells to become specialized for bone resorption function. By a proteomics approach, we found that Lyn was down-regulated by the osteoclast differentiation factor, receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL). The forced reduction of Lyn caused a striking increase in the RANKL-induced PLCgamma1, Ca(2+), and NFATc1 responses during differentiation. These data suggest that Lyn plays a negative role in osteoclastogenesis by interfering with the PLCgamma1-mediated Ca(2+) signaling that leads to NFATc1 activation. Consistent with the in vitro results, in vivo injection of Lyn specific siRNA into mice calvariae provoked a fulminant bone resorption. Our study provides the first evidence of the involvement of Lyn in the negative regulation of osteoclastogenesis by RANKL.
Insights
Lyn negatively regulates osteoclastogenesis, the process of bone resorption. Reducing Lyn enhances signaling pathways crucial for osteoclast differentiation, leading to increased bone loss.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Osteoclasts are specialized cells derived from macrophages responsible for bone resorption.
- Osteoclast differentiation is tightly regulated by signaling pathways, including those initiated by the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Lyn, a protein tyrosine kinase, in osteoclast differentiation.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Lyn influences RANKL-mediated signaling.
Main Methods:
- Proteomics analysis to identify proteins affected by osteoclast differentiation factor RANKL.
- Experimental manipulation of Lyn expression (forced reduction) in osteoclast precursors.
- Assessment of downstream signaling molecules, including PLCgamma1, intracellular calcium (Ca2+), and NFATc1 activation.
- In vivo studies using siRNA to inhibit Lyn in mouse calvariae models.
Main Results:
- Lyn protein levels were found to be down-regulated by RANKL during osteoclast differentiation.
- Forced reduction of Lyn significantly amplified RANKL-induced signaling, including PLCgamma1 activation, Ca2+ influx, and NFATc1 nuclear translocation.
- Inhibition of Lyn in vivo resulted in pronounced bone resorption in mouse calvariae.
Conclusions:
- Lyn acts as a negative regulator of osteoclastogenesis.
- Lyn interferes with RANKL-induced PLCgamma1-mediated Ca2+ signaling, thereby inhibiting NFATc1 activation and osteoclast differentiation.
- These findings reveal a novel mechanism for the control of bone resorption by Lyn.
Related Concept Videos
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Bone Remodeling