Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are a group of growth factors and cytokines known for their ability to induce the formation of bone and cartilage.

Types

Originally, seven such proteins were discovered. Of these, six (BMP2 through BMP7) belong to the Transforming growth factor beta superfamily of proteins.

Since then, thirteen more BMPs have been discovered, bringing the total to twenty.

Applications

BMPs are now produced using recombinant DNA technology. These formulations have found applications in many disciplines of medicine and dentistry. Orthopaedic medicine and oral surgery has benefited greatly from comercially available BMP formualtions in the last few years.

Most recently, BMPs have been made available in an oral form, called Ostinol(TM) for bone and joint health. Holistic and alternative healthcare professionals have use this protein complex with great success for the past year.

Function

BMPs interact with specific receptors on the cell surface, referred to as bone morphogenetic protein receptors (BMPRs).

Signal transduction through BMPRs results in mobilization of members of the SMAD family of proteins. The signaling pathways involving BMPs, BMPRs and Smads are important in the development of the heart, central nervous system, and cartilage, as well as post-natal bone development.

They have an important role during embryonic development on the embryonic patterning and early skeletal formation. As such, disruption of BMP signaling can affect the body plan of the developing embryo. For example, BMP4 and its inhibitors noggin and chordin help regulate polarity of the embryo (i.e. back to front patterning).

Mutations in BMPs and their inhibitors (such as sclerostin) are associated with a number of human disorders which affect the skeleton.

Several BMPs are also named 'cartilage-derived morphogenetic proteins' (CDMPs), while others are referred to as 'growth differentiation factors' (GDFs).

Discovery

The seminal paper reporting the initial discovery of bone morphogenetic protein activity was published in 1965 by Marshall R. Urist in Science. ^[1]

List of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins