Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
07:23
Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification
Published on: December 3, 2016
Gremlin1 is required for skeletal development and postnatal skeletal homeostasis
Ernesto Canalis1, Kristen Parker, Stefano Zanotti
1Department of Research, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, Connecticut 06105-1299, USA. ecanalis@stfranciscare.org
Journal of Cellular Physiology
|March 18, 2011
Summary
Inactivating gremlin 1 (Grem1) causes skeletal abnormalities and osteopenia in mice. Bone loss is partially reversed in older females, but persists in males, indicating Grem1
Area of Science:
- Skeletal Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Bone Physiology
Background:
- Gremlin 1 (Grem1) antagonizes bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), inhibiting osteoblastogenesis and leading to osteopenia.
- While Grem1 inactivation causes developmental defects, its postnatal skeletal effects remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Grem1 in postnatal skeletal homeostasis.
- To determine the consequences of global Grem1 inactivation on the adult skeleton.
Main Methods:
- Homologous recombination was used to inactivate the Grem1 gene in mice.
- Skeletal abnormalities were assessed, including limb and bone formation.
- Bone histomorphometry and microarchitecture analyses were performed on femurs and vertebrae.
Main Results:
- Grem1 null mice displayed skeletal abnormalities, reduced body weight, and shortened femurs.
- Early-stage Grem1 null mice showed decreased bone volume and increased bone formation.
- Bone volume recovery was observed in older Grem1 null females but not males, with persistent vertebral osteopenia in males.
Conclusions:
- Grem1 is crucial for both skeletal development and postnatal skeletal homeostasis.
- Grem1 inactivation induces osteopenia with a partial, sex-dependent reversal linked to increased bone formation.
- These findings highlight Grem1's complex role in maintaining bone health throughout life.
More Related Videos
06:49Analysis of Cell Differentiation, Morphogenesis, and Patterning During Chicken Embryogenesis Using the Soaked-Bead Assay
Published on: January 12, 2022
11:48Grafting of Beads into Developing Chicken Embryo Limbs to Identify Signal Transduction Pathways Affecting Gene Expression
Published on: January 17, 2016
Related Concept Videos
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
01:31Bone Remodeling and Repair
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
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...
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...
01:21Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.