Description
Core binding factor A1 (CBFA1/RUNX2) is a runt-like transcription factor essential for osteoblast differentiation. This protein is a member of the RUNX family of transcription factors and has a Runt DNA-binding domain. It is essential for osteoblastic differentiation and skeletal morphogenesis and acts as a scaffold for nucleic acids and regulatory factors involved in skeletal gene expression. RUNX2 plays a non-redundant role for Cbfa1 in tooth development that may be distinct from that in bone formation. In odontogenesis, RUNX2 is not involved in the early signaling networks regulating tooth initiation and early morphogenesis but regulates key epithelial-mesenchymal interactions that control advancing morphogenesis and histodifferentiation of the epithelial enamel organ