Chen Di, Zhao Ming, Harris Stephen E, Mi Zenghui
Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas, Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail code: 7762, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
Front Biosci. 2004 Jan 1;9:349-58. doi: 10.2741/1090.
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multi-functional growth factors and belong to the transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) superfamily. The roles of BMPs in embryonic development and cellular functions in postnatal animals have been extensively studied in recent years. Signal transduction studies have revealed that Smad1 and 5 are the immediate downstream molecules of BMP receptor and play a central role in BMP signal transduction. Using transgenic and knockout approaches and animal models with naturally occurring mutations in BMP genes, it has been shown that BMPs play critical roles in mesoderm formation, heart development, cartilage development and postnatal bone formation. Recombinant BMP-2 and 7 have been used clinically for several different clinical interventions such as non-union fractures and spinal fusions. Tissue-specific knockout of a specific BMP ligand, a subtype of BMP receptors or a specific signaling molecule is required to further determine the specific role of a particular BMP ligand, receptor or signaling molecule.
骨形态发生蛋白（BMPs）是多功能生长因子，属于转化生长因子β（TGFβ）超家族。近年来，BMPs在胚胎发育和出生后动物细胞功能中的作用得到了广泛研究。信号转导研究表明，Smad1和5是BMP受体的直接下游分子，在BMP信号转导中起核心作用。通过转基因和基因敲除方法以及BMP基因发生自然突变的动物模型，已证明BMPs在中胚层形成、心脏发育、软骨发育和出生后骨形成中起关键作用。重组BMP-2和7已在临床上用于多种不同的临床干预，如骨折不愈合和脊柱融合。需要对特定的BMP配体、BMP受体亚型或特定信号分子进行组织特异性敲除，以进一步确定特定BMP配体、受体或信号分子的具体作用。
