Characterization of Runx2 phosphorylation sites required for TGF-β1-mediated stimulation of matrix metalloproteinase-13 expression in osteoblastic cells

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1), a highly abundant growth factor in skeletal tissues, stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) expression in osteoblastic cells. MMP-13 plays a critical role in bone remodeling. Runx2, a bone transcription factor, is required for TGF-β1-mediated stimulation of MMP-13 expression in osteoblastic cells. In this study, the molecular mechanism responsible for TGF-β1-stimulation of MMP-13 expression via Runx2 in osteoblastic cells was elucidated. TGF-β1 stimulated the phosphorylation of Runx2 at serine amino acids, and ERK inhibition blocked this effect in rat (UMR106-01) and human (MG-63) osteoblastic cells. Pretreatment with okadaic acid, a serine-threonine phosphatase inhibitor, increased Runx2 serine phosphorylation in osteoblastic cells. When cells were pretreated with an ERK inhibitor, TGF-β1-mediated stimulation of MMP-13 mRNA expression decreased. Nano-ESI/LC/MS analysis identified that TGF-β1 stimulates Runx2 phosphorylation at three serine amino acids. Transient transfection of mouse mesenchymal stem cells (C3H10T1/2) with Runx2 serine mutant constructs decreased TGF-β1-mediated Runx2 serine phosphorylation. A luciferase reporter assay identified that TGF-β1 stimulated MMP-13 promoter activity in these cells only in the presence of the wild Runx2 construct, and not with mutant Runx2. Thus, TGF-β1 stimulates the phosphorylation of Runx2 at three serine amino acids, and this event is required for MMP-13 expression in osteoblastic cells. Hence, this study contributes to the knowledge of events governing bone remodeling and bone-related diseases.