They have demonstrated how permanent cartilage is formed in an embryo due to mechanical movement. They also found out how permanent cartilage is lost and temporary or transient cartilage is formed in its place in the absence of movement. While permanent cartilage lines the joint, the transient cartilage is a bone-forming one. While BMP promotes transient cartilage formation, Wnt promotes permanent cartilage formation. In the presence of it, Wnt – the signal that promotes joint cartilage – is on and BMP signalling is off in the joint cartilage cells.

Source: The Hindu March 13, 2018 09:45 UTC