Leukemia/lymphoma-related factor (LRF) in mouse and osteoclast zinc finger protein (OCZF) in rats are members of the zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein (zBTB) family of transcriptional regulators and are highly expressed in mature osteoclasts, and enhance the expression of Bcl-xl mRNA. OCZF overexpression significantly promotes bone loss in ovariectomy-induced osteolytic mice. Protein levels of RNA binding splicing regulator of Bcl-x mRNA and Src substrate associated in mitosis of 68 kDa (Sam68) protein were markedly decreased in OCZF-Tg mouse-derived osteoclasts, suggesting that OCZF promotes osteoclast survival via Sam68.
- Xianghe Xu
- Takeo Shobuike
- Akiko Kukita