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Endothelin Signaling In Bone, Jasmin Kristianto, Michael Johnson, Rafia Afzal, Robert D. Blank

Department of Anaesthesia

The endothelin (ET) system includes 3 small peptide hormones and a pair of G-protein-coupled receptors. This review first outlines the ET signaling pathway and ET metabolism. Next, it summarizes the role of ET1 signaling in craniofacial development. Then, it discusses observations relating ET signaling to osteoblastic and other osteosclerotic processes in cancer. Finally, it describes recent work in our laboratory that points to endothelin signaling as an upstream mediator of WNT signaling, promoting bone matrix synthesis and mineralization. It concludes with a statement of some remaining gaps in knowledge and proposals for future research.