The activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) and runt domain binding (Runx/RD/Cbfa) sites and their respective binding proteins, c‐Fos/c‐Jun and Runx2 (Cbfa1), regulate the rat matrix metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13) promoter in both parathyroid hormone (PTH)‐treated and differentiating osteoblastic cells in culture. To determine the importance of these regulatory sites in the expression of MMP‐13 in vivo, transgenic mice containing either wild‐type (−456 or −148) or AP‐1 and Runx/RD/Cbfa sites mutated (−148A₃R₃) MMP‐13 promoters fused with the E. coli lacZ reporter were generated. The wild‐type transgenic lines expressed higher levels of bacterial β‐galactosidase in bone, teeth, and skin compared to the mutant and non‐transgenic lines. Next, we investigated if overexpression of Runx2 directed by the MMP‐13 promoter regulated expression of bone specific genes in vivo, and whether this causes morphological changes in these animals. Real time RT‐PCR experiments identified increased mRNA expression of bone forming genes and decreased MMP‐13 in the tibiae of transgenic mice (14 days and 6 weeks old). Histomorphometric analyses of the proximal tibiae showed increased bone mineralization surface, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate in the transgenic mice which appears to be due to decreased osteoclast number. Since MMP‐13 is likely to play a role in recruiting osteoclasts to the bone surface, decreased expression of MMP‐13 may cause reduced osteoclast‐mediated bone resorption, resulting in greater bone formation in transgenic mice. In summary, we show here that the 148 bp upstream of the MMP‐13 transcriptional start site is sufficient and necessary for gene expression in bone, teeth, and skin in vivo and the AP‐1 and Runx/RD/Cbfa sites are likely to regulate this. Overexpression of Runx2 by these regulatory elements appears to alter the balance between the bone formation‐bone resorption processes in vivo. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 545–557, 2006.

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