Expression of Id, a negative regulator of helix-loop-helix DNA binding proteins, is down-regulated at confluence and enhanced by dexamethasone in a mouse osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3E1.

The message of Id (for "inhibitor of DNA binding") was expressed in an osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3E1, when the cells were in early cultures, while undetectable after the cells became confluent. The abundance of Id message in MC3T3E1 cells in early cultures was increased when the cells were treated with dexamethasone. This effect was time and dose dependent in a range between 10(-11)M and 10(-7)M. Id message expression was not enhanced by TGF-beta, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, retinoic acid, interleukin 1-alpha, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha or parathyroid hormone. These observations indicate for the first time the presence of HLH protein family member, Id, in osteoblast-like cells and its regulation by dexamethasone.