Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis
07:26

Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis

Published on: April 1, 2022

MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway Analysis in Primary Osteoblasts From Patients With Nonsyndromic Sagittal Craniosynostosis

Sun-Don Kim, Garima Yagnik, Michael L Cunningham

    The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal : Official Publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
    |April 10, 2013
    PubMed
    Abstract

    Insights

    Investigating the MAPK/ERK pathway in sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (sNSC), this study found no evidence of misregulation in patient osteoblasts. The findings suggest MAPK/ERK signaling is not a key factor in sNSC development under tested conditions.

    Area of Science:

    • Cellular biology
    • Molecular signaling
    • Craniofacial development

    Background:

    • Craniosynostosis, particularly sagittal nonsyndromic craniosynostosis (sNSC), affects skull development.
    • The MAPK/ERK signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target for craniosynostosis syndromes.
    • The precise molecular mechanisms underlying sNSC remain largely unknown.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the role of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in sNSC.
    • To determine if MAPK/ERK signaling is misregulated in calvarial osteoblasts from sNSC patients.
    • To assess the potential of targeting MAPK/ERK for sNSC treatment.

    Main Methods:

    • Primary calvarial osteoblast cell lines were derived from sNSC patients and controls.
    • Immunoblotting was used to examine the levels of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK).
    • Cells were analyzed with and without fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) stimulation.

    Main Results:

    • No significant differences in ERK1/2 phosphorylation were observed in sNSC osteoblasts compared to controls.
    • FGF2 stimulation did not alter ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels differently between sNSC and control osteoblasts.
    • These findings indicate normal MAPK/ERK pathway activity in sNSC-derived osteoblasts.

    Conclusions:

    • The study did not find evidence supporting the involvement of MAPK/ERK signaling in the pathogenesis of sNSC.
    • Under the experimental conditions used, MAPK/ERK pathway dysregulation is unlikely to be a primary cause of sNSC.
    • Further research may be needed to explore other signaling pathways in sNSC.

    More Related Videos

    Tissue Preparation and Immunostaining of Mouse Craniofacial Tissues and Undecalcified Bone10:03

    Tissue Preparation and Immunostaining of Mouse Craniofacial Tissues and Undecalcified Bone

    Published on: May 10, 2019

    Using Inducible Osteoblastic Lineage-Specific Stat3 Knockout Mice to Study Alveolar Bone Remodeling During Orthodontic Tooth Movement05:25

    Using Inducible Osteoblastic Lineage-Specific Stat3 Knockout Mice to Study Alveolar Bone Remodeling During Orthodontic Tooth Movement

    Published on: July 21, 2023

    Related Concept Videos

    MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

    MAPK Signaling Cascades

    Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
    Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification01:29

    Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification

    Intramembranous ossification is one of the two processes involved in the development of bones within an embryo. The flat bones of the face, most of the cranial bones, and the clavicles are formed via this process. During intramembranous ossification, the bones develop directly from sheets of undifferentiated mesenchymal connective tissue.
    The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...