Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 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 9, 2014
Degradation of bone matrix proteins by osteoclast cathepsins
A E Page1, A R Hayman, L M Andersson
1Department of Hisopathology, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, U.K.
Abstract:
1. The degradation of the bone matrix proteins osteocalcin, osteonectin and alpha 2HS-glycoprotein by human cathepsins B and L and human osteoclastoma cathepsins has been investigated. 2. Intermediate degradation products (M(r) > 12 kDa) were not observed during the digestion of alpha 2HS-glycoprotein and osteonectin by cathepsins B and L although they were observed with some of the osteoclastoma cathepsins. Most of the osteoclastoma cathepsins were capable of degrading these two proteins to small peptides at comparable rates. 3. Each cathepsin produced a different pattern of osteocalcin degradation products. 4. The extensive range of non-collagenous proteins in bone matrix may necessitate the production by osteoclasts of cathepsins with different specificities during bone resorption.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM
A...
The Bone Matrix
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone Remodeling and Repair

