Role of Cbfa1 in osteoblast differentiation and function.

Among the multiple cell lineages whose differentiation is affected by a runt-related gene the osteoblast is a relative newcomer. Molecular biology, developmental biology and mouse and human genetic studies have demonstrated that Cbfa1 is a critical regulator of osteoblast differentiation in vertebrates. Cbfa1 is not only a differentiation factor but also a regulator of bone formation by differentiated osteoblasts beyond development. Thus, Cbfa1 controls osteogenesis at multiple stages.