Control of chondrogenesis by the transcription factor Sox9.

Cell-fate determination of pluripotent cells, cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation, as well as the maintenance of stem cells, are essential cellular events during organogenesis. Previous reports show that some distinct cell-specific transcription factors are the master genes that control cell lineage commitment and the subsequent cell proliferation and differentiation. Some of these transcription factors generate hierarchical regulation of expression and act in concert to fulfill their roles. This review discusses the molecular properties and mechanisms of Sry-related high-mobility-group box (Sox) transcription factor, Sox9, in chondrogenesis.