Chondrogenesis from MSCs

Question 1

What is the master regulator (TF) of chondrogenesis and when is it expressed?

Answer 1

Sox9
Throughout chondrogenic differentiation until the cells become hypertrophic where it rapidly diminishes

Question 2

What is chondrogenesis?

Answer 2

process by which cartilage is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue and begins secreting the materials that form the extracellular matrix.

Question 3

What are some other TFs that play a key role in chondrogenesis and how do they differ to the master TF?

Answer 3

L-SOX5
SOX6
Lack transactivation domain, meaning they cant affect gene expression directly and so instead recruit other transcriptional activators to create their effect

Question 4

What are some chondrocyte-specific markers?

Answer 4

COL2A1
COL11A2

Question 5

What happens if you overexpress the Sox-triad? how?

Answer 5

chondrogenesis arrest in the pre-hypertrophic stage
Via activation of members of S100 protein family expressed during later proliferative and pre-hypertrophic stages