Acts as regulator of gene expression and activator of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases MAPK3/ERK1 and MAPK1/ERK2 in mechanically stimulated osteoblasts. Under fluid shear stress, mediates ERK activation and subsequent induction of FOS, FOSL1/FRA1, FOSL2/FRA2 and FOSB that play a key role in the osteoblast anabolic response to mechanical stimulation .