Transcriptional control of Sost in bone.

Abstract

Sclerostin is an osteocyte derived negative regulator of bone formation. A highly specific expression pattern and the exclusive bone phenotype have made Sclerostin an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in treating metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis and in facilitating fracture repair. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate Sclerostin transcription is of great interest as it may unveil new avenues for therapeutic approaches. Such studies may also elucidate how various signaling pathways intersect to modulate bone metabolism. Here we review the current understanding of the upstream molecular mechanisms that regulate Sost/SOST transcription, in bone.