Somatostatin receptors are restricted to a subpopulation of osteoblast-like cells during endochondral bone formation

Abstract

Specific binding sites for the peptide hormone somatostatin have previously been demonstrated in long bones from neonatal rats. In the present study, the distribution of somatostatin receptors during embryonic bone formation has been investigated using the stable radio-iodinated somatostatin analogue, SDZ 204-090. Somatostatin receptors in rat long bones were first detectable at the time of invasion of the cartilage model by osteogenic cells. Initially, receptors were detectable throughout the region occupied by osteogenic cells. As bone growth proceeded, however, receptors were restricted to the region of most recent invasion of the hypertrophic cartilage, where osteoid had not yet been dep..