LAUSR

Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a member of the basic leucine zipper (bZip) transcription factor family required for the terminal differentiation of osteoblasts. Despite its critical importance as one of the three main osteoblast differentiation transcription factors, regulators of osteoblast terminal maturation remain poorly defined. Here we report the identification of homologous pairing protein 2 (Hop2) as a dimerization partner of ATF4 in osteoblasts via the yeast two‐hybrid system. Deletional mapping revealed that the Zip domain of Hop2 is necessary and sufficient to bind ATF4 and to enhance ATF4‐dependent transcription. Ectopic Hop2 expression in preosteoblasts increased endogenous ATF4 protein content and accelerated osteoblast differentiation. Mice lacking Hop2 (Hop2−/−) have a normal stature but exhibit an osteopenic phenotype similar to the one observed in Atf4−/− mice, albeit milder, which is associated with decreased Osteocalcin mRNA expression and reduced type I collagen synthesis. Compound heterozygous mice (Atf4+/−:Hop2+/−) display identical skeletal defects to those found in Hop2−/− mice. These results indicate that Hop2 plays a previous unknown role as a determinant of osteoblast maturation via its regulation of ATF4 transcriptional activity. Our work for the first time reveals a function of Hop2 beyond its role in guiding the alignment of homologous chromosomes. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.