Pharmacological Topics of Bone Metabolism: Antiresorptive Microbial Compounds That Inhibit Osteoclast Differentiation, Function, and Survival

Abstract

The mass and function of bones depends on the maintenance of a complicated balance between osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and osteoblast-mediated bone formation. Osteoporosis typically reflects an imbalance in skeletal turnover, such that bone resorption exceeds bone formation. Osteoclasts are target cells for anti-osteoporosis therapies. To discover new types of antiresorptive agents, we screened for natural compounds that regulate osteoclast differentiation, function, and survival. As a result, we identified reveromycin A, destruxins, mevastatin, FK506, cyclosporin A, prodigiosins, concanamycins, and symbioimine among microbial natural compounds. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of action of these compounds on osteoclasts. Keywords:: microbial metabolite, antiresorptive agent, bone resorption, osteoclast, osteoporosis, bone metabolism