Figure 7

Expression patterns from microarray analyses demonstrate up-regulation of cGMP-dependent kinase genes in the hypertrophic zone. Microarray analyses of the principal players in the CNP pathway in micro-dissected tibiae cultured with and without CNP (1 μM) are shown (A). Prkg1 and Prgk2, encoding cGMP-dependent kinases I and II, were strongly up-regulated in the hypertrophic zone, irrespectively of exogenous CNP. In addition, CNP strongly stimulated expression of Npr3, the natriuretic peptide clearance receptor, in the hypertrophic zone. Real-time analysis confirmed induction of Npr3 by CNP, which primarily occurs through a p38-independent manner. Data represent means ± SD of three independent trials (p < 0.05).