An analysis of these pathways, and of the research literature on osteoporosis, suggests that activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin 1 (sirt1), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), and the Nrf2 transcription factor, and the inhibition of the kinase CK2 could be expected to enhance the expression and activation of RUNX2 in osteoblasts, while promoting autophagy and inhibiting apoptosis in osteoblasts/osteocytes. The gene discussed is SIRT1; the disease is osteoporosis.