[Bone matrix proteins].

Bone matrix is composed of collagen and non-collagenous proteins. The collagen is mainly type I collagen. Characteristics of bone collagen are in posttranslational modifications and utilization of transcriptional elements in the promoter. The non-collagenous proteins are acidic Ca-binding proteins: bone Gla protein(BGP), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteopontin, osteonectin etc. BGP and BSP are specific to bone, and other proteins are present also in non-mineralized tissues. BGP functions in suppression of excessive mineralization. BSP and osteopontin are sialoproteins containing a RGD cell-attachment sequence and poly(acidic amino acid) sequences. BSP is present in sites of bone formation. Osteopontin is involved in attachment of osteoclasts to bone surface.