Elsevier

Developmental Biology

Volume 319, Issue 2, 15 July 2008, Pages 171-178
Developmental Biology

Review
Nitric oxide, C-type natriuretic peptide and cGMP as regulators of endochondral ossification

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2008.04.031Get rights and content
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Abstract

Coordinated proliferation and differentiation of growth plate chondrocytes is required for endochondral bone growth, but the mechanisms and pathways that control these processes are not completely understood. Recent data demonstrate important roles for nitric oxide (NO) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in the regulation of cartilage development. Both NO and CNP stimulate the synthesis of cGMP and thus the activation of common downstream pathways. One of these downstream mediators, cGMP-dependent kinase II (cGKII), has itself been shown to be essential for normal endochondral bone formation. This review summarizes our knowledge of the roles and mechanisms of NO, CNP and cGKII signaling in cartilage and endochondral bone development.

Keywords

Nitric oxide
C-type natriuretic peptide
cGMP
cGMP-dependent kinase
Cartilage
Endochondral bone
MAPK pathways

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