[The role of bone morphogenetic proteins in compensatory renal growth].

Bone morphogenetic proteins are members of transforming growth factor beta superfamily. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) has been recognized as a key signalling molecule during the kidney development and is capable of protecting kidney against acute renal failure in postnatal life. In the present study the involvement of BMP-7 in the kidney compensatory growth after unilateral nephrectomy has been explored. Northern analysis of mRNA from 3 to 21 days after surgery indicated that BMP-7 message was unchanged thus excluding BMP-7 as a compensatory growth agent.