摘要 |
Methods are disclosed for identifying osteogenic promoting compounds by contacting test compounds with a target gene polypeptide or fragment thereof, which target gene is identified as involved in the osteogenesis process, and measuring a compound-polypeptide osteogenesis property. Also disclosed are methods of promoting osteogenesis by contacting progenitor cells with an effective osteogenic stimulating amount of an agonist of a target gene or an expressible nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO. 1-18, and may be used for the treatment or prevention of an imbalance in bone homeostasis. A further aspect is a method to produce bone tissue in vitro, by contacting a target gene agonist or an expressible nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO. 1-18 with a vertebrate cell population including osteoblast progenitor cells on a substrate.
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