“…The transcription factor core binding factor α1 (Cbfa1/Runx2, runt-related gene 2) is expressed by prehypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes prior to cartilage mineralisation (Choi, Lee, Park, Bae, Shin, Nam, Kim, Kim and Ryoo 2002;Kuboki, Kanyama, Nakanishi, Akiyama, Nawachi, Yatani, Yamashita, Takano-Yamamoto and Takigawa 2003) and is essential for endochondral ossification. Cbfa1 expression has been seen in the articular surface of epiphyseal cartilage in the stifle joints of normal 3-week-old mice but not in 10-week-old mice, while it is strongly expressed in hypertrophic chondrocytes deep to the articulating layer of cartilage (Kuboki, Kanyama, Nakanishi, Akiyama, Nawachi, Yatani, Yamashita, Takano-Yamamoto and Takigawa 2003 …”