BMP-7

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of approximately 15 structurally related proteins belonging to the TGF-beta protein family. One member of this family is bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7). BMP-7 is a 431 amino acid protein that exists as a homodimer, linked by a single disulfide bond.

BMP-7 is expressed in a wide variety of tissues including bone marrow, spleen, thymus, heart, muscle, liver, kidney pancreas, prostate and lung, in embryonic tissues, as well as in the central nervous system (including spinal cord).

BMP-7 plays a major role in bone growth (osteogenesis) and regeneration by inducing collagen production in osteoblasts, the differentiation of stem cells and organogenesis during embryogenesis.

BMP-7 is also involved in the chemotaxis of monocytes and has neuroprotective and neurogenesis properties. BMP-7 may be used in the treatment of wound healing, tissue repair and bone fractures, for neuroprotection and neurogenesis in the CNS and in nerve or spinal injuries.

For a review of the role of BMP-7 please refer to Chen et al. (2004) Growth Factors 22(4):233-41.