Quiescent satellite cells represent pluripotent stem cells capable of differentiating into other lineages. To define the potential changes in adhesion and motility in these differentiating cells, we utilized an established model system of murine-derived satellite cells induced with BMP2 to undergo osteoblastic differentiation. When mouse myogenic satellite cells were treated with BMP2, myogenesis was inhibited, and interaction with extracellular matrix ligands was altered. alpha 7 integrin expression was rapidly downregulated with attenuation of adhesion and migration on laminin substrates. BMP2 also induced alpha 2 integrin expression with increased adhesion and motility on collagen substrates as the pluripotent myoblasts develop into the osteogenic lineage. We examined the effect of BMP2 on alpha 7 promoter activity in myoblasts using a CAT reporter gene. BMP2 was found to suppress integrin expression through a transcriptional mechanism. The results identify a novel role for BMP2 in modulating satellite cell integrin expression and altering their interactions with the microenvironment during osteoblastic differentiation. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.