Table 1 Summary of data for 29 hub genes reported in the previous studies of antler tip using molecular technologies

IGF1R

insulin like growth factor 1 receptor

Increases antler mesenchymal cell proliferation

[44, 45, 46]

COL1A1

collagen type I alpha 1 chain

Localizes to a subset of flattened cells on the periphery of the trabeculae

[47, 48]

COL2A1

collagen type 2 alpha 1 chain

Expresses transiently in the antler tip, as a marker of mature chondrocytes

[47]

COL10A1

collagen type X alpha 1 chain

Increases by recently differentiated chondrocytes and continued to be expressed throughout the unmineralized and mineralized cartilage region, as a marker of hypertrophic chondrocytes

[47]

MMP9

matrix metallopeptidase 9

Highly expresses in the cells resident in antler cartilage, involved in matrix degradation

[47, 50]

MMP13

matrix metallopeptidase 13

Highly expresses in the chondrocytes, involved in matrix degradation

[49]

MATN1

matrilin 1, cartilage matrix protein

Increases only in the cartilage regions, as a marker of prehypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes

[51]

VEGFA/C

vascular endothelial growth factor

Expresses from precartilage to cartilage regions, having an angiogenic effect within antler

[52]

IHH

indian hedgehog

Localizes only in recently differentiated chondrocytes, involved in the control of chondrocyte differentiation

[25]

PTHLH/PTH1R

parathyroid hormone 1 and its receptor

Expresses highly in cartilage, promote the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, also localized in cells of the osteoclast lineage

[53][54]

WNT4

Wnt family member 4

Regulates terminal differentiation of antler chondrocytes

[55]

CSF1/CSF1R

colony stimulating factor 1 and its receptor

Induces osteoclastogenesis in vitro

[50]

BGLAP

bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein

Highly expresses in chondrocytes, as an indicators of bone mineral metabolism

[56]

ALPL

alkaline phosphatase

Inhibitors of mineral deposition, increases indicating differentiation into osteoblast-like cells, as a marker of osteoblast differentiation

[57]

SPARC

secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich

Expresses highly in chondrocytes, as an indicators of bone mineral metabolism

[49, 56]

TNFSF11/

TNFRSF11A

tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 11/TNF receptor superfamily member 11a (RANKL/RANK)

Induces antler osteoclastogenesis in vitro

[50]

FGFR1

fibroblast growth factor receptor 1

Widely expresses in the integument and osteocartilaginous compartments

[58]

FGFR3

fibroblast growth factor receptor 3

Widely expresses in the integument and osteocartilaginous compartments

[58]

CTSK

cathepsin K

Expresses only in osteoclasts, involved in matrix degradation

[50]

CALCR

calcitonin receptor

Expresses only in osteoclasts, the most specific marker of the osteoclast lineage cells

[50]

IBSP

integrin binding sialoprotein

Highly expresses in cartilage regions

[56]

TGFB1

transforming growth factor beta 1

Regulation of chondrogenesis

[25]

MGP

matrix Gla protein

Highly expresses in cartilage regions

[56]

RUNX3

runt related transcription factor 3

Involved in regulating the differentiation of chondrocytes

[59]

APOD

Apolipoprotein D

Expresses primarily in chondrocytes,

[60]

SOX9

SRY-Box 9

Highly expresses in proliferating and prehypertrophic chondrocytes

[61]