This therefore suggests that the MEPE-ASARM peptide has no effect on chondrocyte function per se. Instead it affects chondrocyte

matrix mineralization directly, as is in concordance with studies done on bone mineralization selleckchem [14] and [18]. It is well recognised that ALP activity is a key regulator of cartilage matrix mineralization. ALP is located to the outer surface of the trilaminar membrane of MVs, which form from the hypertrophic chondrocytes [56]. It is widely accepted that ALP generates Pi for HA formation and its lack of activity results in an excess of PPi[57]. The interaction between ALP, PPi and other SIBLING proteins has previously been documented [57] and [58]. It was therefore postulated that the effects of the pASARM peptide could act through a decrease in ALP activity/expression as has been shown in a previous study of bone mineralization and as is observed in the MEPE‐overexpressing mouse [13] and [14]. However here we show no effect on ALP activity or expression by the Y-27632 manufacturer ASARM peptide and as is in concordance with a previous study

investigating the role of MEPE in osteoblast mineralization [18]. No effect was also seen on PHOSPHO1 expression, which together with ALP regulates bone and cartilage mineralization suggesting that in the models utilized here, the mechanism of inhibition is not a result of decreased enzyme activity [59] and [60]. Rather, it is likely that the pASARM peptide exerts its effects through its direct binding to the HA as has previously been suggested. It has recently been shown that a truncated form of MEPE, which has the ASARM peptide removed, can promote bone mineralization in culture and in mice [61]. Furthermore, a mid-terminal fragment of MEPE has been shown to enhance cell binding and taken together

these results highlight the however importance of the post translational processing of MEPE in determining its functional role [62]. Here we have shown that the phosphorylation of the ASARM peptide is crucial in determining its functional role. Despite the observed promotion of mineralization by the npASARM peptide in the ATDC5 cultures, this was not corroborated by our metatarsal data. Furthermore in other in vitro studies, it has been shown that the function of the MEPE-ASARM peptide is entirely dependent upon its phosphorylation [14], [18] and [63]. Indeed it is likely that the npASARM peptide does not physiologically exist and is in fact inactive. One can reasonably infer that since the pASARM serine-phosphorylated casein kinase sites are highly conserved across species (including whales, dolphins, primates, rodents, marsupials, elephants, dogs, and cats) and the phosphorylated form is active that there might be a physiological mechanism that plays a role in regulating the ASARM-phosphorylation status [64].