Tokyo, February 05, 2024: Scientists investigate how the eb4 protein mediates the production of osteoclasts, which are involved in bone and t diseases, including osteoporosis.
Osteoclasts, cells that digest bone and aid in bone maintenance, are involved in many bone and t diseases, including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is not clear how osteoclast differentiation is regulated. In a recent study, scientists from Japan have now revealed that the RNA-binding protein eb4 plays a key role in osteoclast differentiation by regulating the splicing of a specific messenger RNA. These findings could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
In today’s aging societies, diseases affecting the bones and ts are becoming increasingly common. For example, in Japan alone, over 12 million people suffer from osteoporosis, a condition that severely weakens bones and makes them fragile. If we are to find effective treatments for such disorders, understanding the cellular processes involved in the maintenance of bone and t tissue is an essential first step.
Osteoclasts are a particularly important type of cell involved in bone maintenance. These cells absorb old or damaged bone and digest it, allowing the body to reuse important materials like calcium and giving way to new bones. As one might expect, various bone diseases arise when osteoclasts do not fulfill their role properly. Scientists have been investigating the mechanisms that regulate the proliferation and differentiation of precursor cells into osteoclasts.
Interestingly, in a study published in 2020, researchers from Tokyo University of Science (TUS) led by Professor Tadayoshi Hayata revealed that the cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 4 (eb4) protein is essential in osteoclast differentiation. They also discovered that this protein, which regulates the stability and translation of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, transported into specific structures within the nucleus of the cell when osteoclast differentiation was induced. However, just how this relocation occurs and what eb4 exactly does within these nuclear structures still remains a mystery.
Now, in a recent study published in the Journal of Cellular Physiology on 29 January 2024, Prof. Hayata and Mr. Yasuhiro Arasaki from TUS tackled these knowledge gaps. Motivated by the intricate and complex process of osteoclast differentiation, they sought to more thoroughly understand how the “life cycle” of mRNA, i.e., mRNA metabolism, is involved.
First, the researchers introduced strategic modifications into eb4 proteins and performed a series of experiments in cell cultures. They found that the localization of be4 in the abovementioned nuclear bodies occurred owing to its ability to bind to RNA molecules. Afterwards, seeking to understand the role of eb4 in the nucleus, the researchers demonstrated that eb4 co-localized with certain mRNA splicing factors. These proteins are involved in the process of mRNA splicing, which is a key step in mRNA metabolism. Put simply, it enables a cell to produce diverse mature mRNA molecules (and eventually proteins) from a single gene.
Through RNA sequencing and gene analysis in eb4-depleted cells, they found that eb4 alters the expression of multiple genes associated with splicing events in freshly differentiated osteoclasts. Finally, through further experiments, the researchers revealed that eb4 only altered the splicing patterns of Id2 mRNA, an important protein known to regulate osteoclast differentiation and development.
Overall, this study sheds important light on the mechanisms that regulate osteoclast differentiation. “Through this research, we were able to identify important factors involved in regulating mRNA splicing during the osteoclast differentiation process and obtained new knowledge regarding the control of mRNA splicing during osteoclast differentiation,” comments Prof. Hayata. While the contribution of eb4 is smaller than that of RANKL, a signaling factor that induces osteoclast differentiation, targeting eb4 may have the advantage of reducing the side effects of existing drugs as too much inhibition of osteoclast differentiation with RANKL inhibitory antibodies would halt bone remodeling.
Importantly, the results contribute to a more detailed understanding of how bones are maintained. “Although we used cultured mouse cells in our study, there are also research reports that show a correlation between variations in the EB4 gene and bone density in humans,” says Prof. Hayata. “We hope that our findings will help clarify the relationship between these two in the near future.”
Most importantly, the findings of the present study may prove to be a crucial stepping stone for advancing diagnostic techniques and treatments for bone and t diseases. GWAS analysis has reported a correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms in introns of the EB4 gene region and the estimated bone density. Therefore, it is possible that EB4 expression and activity can be used as diagnostic criteria.
However, the researchers note that it is unclear whether eb4 actually regulates bone metabolism in vivo. Therefore, clarification of the molecular basis of eb4 in bone metabolism in mice would help to establish a therapeutic approach. Additionally, recent studies have reported that eb4 is expressed in various cancer cells and contributes to cancer cell survival. In cancer, eb4 contributes to mRNA stability, although splicing regulation may exist.
“The discovery of part of the mechanisms by which eb4 controls osteoclast differentiation could lead to the elucidation of pathologies, including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis, and ultimately become the foundation for the development of new therapeutic drugs,” concludes a hopeful Prof. Hayata.
We too hope these efforts will pave the way for a brighter future for the millions of people suffering from osteoporosis and similar disorders, enabling them to live more active and fulfilling lives.