To provide a use of Gli1 gene.
A screening method using a cell capable of expressing Gli1 gene can be used for the search of a compound or its salt having an activity to control the expression of Gli1 gene. A compound having an activity to promote the expression of Gli1 gene has a bone or cartilage inducing activity and, accordingly, it can be used as an agent for preventing and treating diseases of orthopedic field, diseases of dental surgery field and osteoporosis, etc. It is further usable as a treating agent for bone grafting in cosmetic surgery field and a differentiation inducing agent for autotransplantation in regeneration medicine. A compound active to inhibit the expression of Gli1 gene can be used e.g. as a preventing and treating agent for hyperosteogenesis or hyperchondrogenesis.
