Julia Oxford, a biology professor and director of the Biomolecular Research Center at Boise State, helped discover a key mechanism in the way in which bones build and maintain strength and elasticity. Findings of the study are published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. The discovery could have a significant impact in treating osteoporosis and other diseases that can lead to decreased bone mineral contact and could provide a blueprint for improving methods of preserving bone strength with age.
A collaborative group of researchers conducted the study, including Oxford and led by Jeff Gorski, a professor of oral biology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Oxford explained that mineralization is the process that contributes to the strength and hardness of bone, whereby calcium phosphate crystals produced by bone-forming cells accumulate in the fibrous protein matrix that is the scaffolding of the bone itself.
“We found that mineralization depends on a specific enzyme called SKI-1, though it is just one of several proteins we’re looking at that play important roles in essential biological mechanisms,” she said. “Our growing understanding of these mechanisms could have significant implications in helping clinicians monitor bone health as well as diagnose and treat debilitating bone diseases.”
By studying bone cells isolated in culture dishes, researchers in the collaborative study demonstrated that the deactivation of SKI-1 means bone mineralization cannot occur. They alternatively observed that if the actions of SKI-1 are stimulated, more mineralization takes place, triggering production of the proteins that form the bone’s mineralized matrix. Scientists may be able to use such enzyme regulation to stimulate bone formation after fracture.
Boise State students of biology and chemistry are active in Oxford's research that provides a tremendous learning opportunity. Those students are Ben Davis, Stephanie Frahs, Anthony Hafez, Jon Reeck, Luke Woodbury, Bryan Martin, Chris Mallory and Dawn Mikelonis.
Boise State recently received a $750,000 NASA EPSCoR grant that will support a related project by Oxford (at right in photo) in collaboration with Boise State biology professors Cheryl Jorcyk, Troy Rohn and Kristen Mitchell.
Since 2007, the Idaho State Board of Education has contributed $1 million to Boise State for the formation of the Musculoskeletal Research Institute, co-directed by Oxford and biomedical engineering professor Michelle Sabick.
“We have been working to grow musculoskeletal research strength in Idaho, and the State Board is providing crucial infrastructure,” Oxford said.
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