Takahata et al. investigate the functional role of SMOC1/2 proteins in skeletal development. They reveal a genetic pathway that includes Bmp2 and Runx2 inducing expression of the paralogous Smoc genes, which may offer novel and effective therapeutic strategies associated with various bone and cartilage diseases.
- Yoshifumi Takahata
- Hiromasa Hagino
- Riko Nishimura