Leong L M, Brickell P M
Leukaemia Research Fund Centre for Childhood Leukaemia and Molecular Haematology Unit, Institute of Child Health, London, U.K.
Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 1996 Dec;28(12):1293-6. doi: 10.1016/s1357-2725(96)00075-1.
Bone morphogenic protein-4 (BMP-4) is one of nine structurally related BMPs belonging to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of secreted proteins. Mature BMP-4 is a dimer that binds to a multimeric transmembrane receptor with serine/threonine kinase activity. Although discovered because it stimulates bone formation in adult mammals, BMP-4 has important roles as a signalling molecule in embryonic tissues, including the developing central and peripheral nervous system, musculature and skeleton. It participates in an ancient signalling pathway also found in insects and worms. Nevertheless, the main practical application of BMPs is for stimulating repair of bone, and their use in humans is currently being assessed.
骨形态发生蛋白-4（BMP-4）是属于分泌蛋白转化生长因子-β（TGF-β）超家族的九种结构相关的骨形态发生蛋白之一。成熟的BMP-4是一种二聚体，可与具有丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶活性的多聚体跨膜受体结合。尽管最初是因为它能刺激成年哺乳动物的骨形成而被发现，但BMP-4作为一种信号分子在胚胎组织中具有重要作用，包括发育中的中枢和外周神经系统、肌肉组织和骨骼。它参与了一种在昆虫和蠕虫中也存在的古老信号通路。然而，骨形态发生蛋白的主要实际应用是刺激骨修复，目前正在评估它们在人类中的使用情况。
