Bone Abstracts

Tumor development occurs often by over-activation of members of the RAS-oncogene family (small GTPases (sGTPs)). By blocking the mevalonate pathway, aminobisphosphonates (BPs), and statines prevent activation of GTPs by inhibiting their post-translational prenylation. As we have shown, this induces apoptosis in U2OS osteosarcoma cells by re-activation of FAS expression via epigenetic DNA demethylation (1).The histone demethylase JHD...

Few drugs generate bone-stimulatory effects via epigenetic mechanisms. Modulation of CpG-residues hydroxymethylation in gene-promoters of key osteoblast-related factors (e.g., DLX5) induces their expression and increases osteoblast differentiation in vitro. The chemical properties of sulforaphane (SFN), a natural compound abundantly present in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, suggest that it may have similar molecular and biological effects. Previous stu...