Investigation of proteome changes in osteoclastogenesis in low serum culture system using quantitative proteomics

BACKGROUND: RAW 264.7 cells can differentiate into osteoclasts when cultured in medium supplemented with 1 % FBS. However, the proteomic changes in the development of RAW 264.7 cells into osteoclasts in low serum culture system have not been elucidated. Therefore, we conducted quantitative proteomics analysis to investigate proteomic changes during osteoclastogenesis in low serum culture system. RESULTS: Our study confirmed that mature multinucleated osteoclasts were generated in a low serum culture system, validated by upregulated expression of 15 characteristic marker proteins, including TRAP, CTSK, MMP9, V-ATPase and ITGAV. Proteomics results demonstrated that 549 proteins expressed differentially in osteoclastogenesis in low serum culture system. In-depth bioinformatics analysis suggested that the differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in mitochondrial activities and energy metabolism, including the electron transport chain pathway, TCA cycle pathway, mitochondrial LC-fatty acid beta-oxidation pathway and fatty acid biosynthesis pathway. The data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001935. CONCLUSION: Osteoclast formation is an ATP consuming procedure, whether occurring in a low serum culture system or a conventional culture system. In contrast to osteoclasts formed in conventional culture system, the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway was upregulated in osteoclasts cultured in low serum condition. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12953-016-0097-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.