Objective      To investigate the effect of exogenous bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) on osteosarcoma cell line MG63 and its relationship with Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.       Methods      Recombinant adenovirus AdBMP9 carrying BMP9 gene was used to up-regulate the expression of BMP9 protein in MG63 cells. Then

MTT assay

Hoechst staining

and Transwell assay were used to detect the cell proliferation

apoptosis

and migration

respectively. The mRNA levels of genes involved in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

including β-catenin

c-myc

cyclinD1 and E-cadherin

were examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR)

while the protein levels were determined by Western blotting.       Results      BMP9 protein was over-expressed in the MG63 cells after transfection of recombinant adenovirus. BMP9 could promote the proliferation

apoptosis and migration in the MG63 cells. The over-expression of BMP9 protein up-regulated the expressions of β-catenin

c-myc and cyclinD1

and down-regulated the expression of E-cadherin.       Conclusion      BMP9 can positively regulate the MG63 cells through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.