New research may change our understanding of a specific protein's role in bone development. Its findings may lead to development of common bone diseases like osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, a bone disease that decreases bone strength, may lead to painful fractures. Men and women of all races have the chance to develop it. Fragile bones make people vulnerable to mild stresses or the force from a fall. Study from Penn State University offers a novel target for the diagnosis and intervention of skeletal diseases including osteoporosis. It finds that the Speckle-type POZ Protein (Spop) modulates skeletal development and the lack of the protein causes mice to have shorter digit bones and lower bone density. Spop has a role in Hedgehog signaling -- a signaling pathway that is crucial for the development and maintenance of organs. Scientists previously thought that the protein Spop turns down this signaling pathway. But the new study finds that the protein actually promotes Indian Hedgehog signaling. Indian Hedgehog is a protein that plays a critical role in bone development. The researchers removed the Spop gene in limbs of mice, and found that their limbs had less dense bone, and shorter fingers and toes. In the absence of Spop, a transcription factor called Gli3 was up-regulated, which decreased Hedgehog signaling. Furthermore, reducing the levels of Gli3 greatly rescued the skeletal defects caused by Spop deficiency. Collectively, the Spop protein is a positive regulator of Indian Hedgehog signaling and skeletal development. Osteoporosis involves reduced bone density, which increases the risk of fractures and fragile bones. Multiple methods such as X-Ray test, traditional radiography tests, and bone density test are being used in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. The new research may provides a new test to the condition. Current osteoporosis drugs may accompany side effects, including nausea, ulcer in stomach and irritable bowel syndrome. The growing geriatric population and increasing prevalence of osteoporosis stress the need to develop more effective drugs. CusAb offers Spop protein and HRP conjugated antibody.
