BGLAP

What is BGLAP protein?

BGLAP (bone gamma-carboxyglutamate protein) gene is a protein coding gene which situated on the long arm of chromosome 1 at locus 1q22. This gene encodes a highly abundant bone protein secreted by osteoblasts that regulates bone remodeling and energy metabolism. The encoded protein contains a Gla (gamma carboxyglutamate) domain, which functions in binding to calcium and hydroxyapatite, the mineral component of bone. Serum osteocalcin levels may be negatively correlated with metabolic syndrome. Read-through transcription exists between this gene and the neighboring upstream gene, PMF1 (polyamine-modulated factor 1), but the encoded protein only shows sequence identity with the upstream gene product. BGLAP protein is consisted of 100 amino acids and its molecular mass is approximately 11.0 kDa.

What is the function of BGLAP protein?

BGLAP is secreted by osteoblasts and is involved in the regulation of bone remodeling, which is the process of bone resorption and formation. The protein contains a Gla (gamma carboxyglutamate) domain that is essential for binding to calcium and hydroxyapatite, the mineral component of bone. The uncarboxylated form of osteocalcin acts as a hormone secreted by osteoblasts. It is involved in regulating various cellular processes such as energy metabolism, male fertility, and brain development. BGLAP promotes pancreatic beta-cell proliferation, insulin secretion, and sensitivity, as well as energy expenditure. BGLAP hormone crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts as a ligand for GPR158 on neurons, playing a role in preventing neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus and regulating neurotransmitter synthesis.

Fig1. Osteocalcin regulates the acute stress response. (Gerard Karsenty, 2023)

BGLAP Related Signaling Pathway

BGLAP may affect the balance between bone resorption and bone formation through the RANKL/OPG signaling pathway. This pathway involves interactions between osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteoblasts. BGLAP is also associated with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is critical for osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. BGLAP expression can be positively regulated by Wnt signal. The osteogenic pathway is also involved in the Hedgehog signaling pathway, and BGLAP is involved in this pathway to further promote bone formation and accelerate bone healing. In pancreatic cancer cells, the expression of BGLAP is regulated by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), which can reduce the expression level of BGLAP, indicating that BGLAP may be a target of TNF-α, and suggesting that BGLAP may have a tumor-promoting role in pancreatic cancer.

BGLAP Related Diseases

BGLAP, also known as Bone Gla Protein (BGP) and Osteocalcin (OCN), is a protein closely associated with bone health that plays a role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. BGLAP has been linked to conditions such as osteoporosis, fracture healing, diabetes (especially type 2 diabetes), rheumatoid arthritis, cirrhosis of the liver, prostate cancer, chronic hepatitis B, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, and vitamin K deficiency. In addition, BGLAP may have tumor-promoting functions in certain types of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer.

Bioapplications of BGLAP

Because BGLAP is a negative regulator of bone formation, monitoring its levels can be helpful in evaluating the efficacy of osteoporosis treatment and disease progression. Recombinant BGLAP protein can be used to study its role in disease models, such as the effect of osteocalcin deficiency on bone mass, bone density, bone formation, or bone resorption by knocking out or replacing mouse models produced by the Bglap gene. To evaluate the biological activity of recombinant BGLAP protein, such as its promotion of insulin secretion and its potential effect on skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity. In drug development, recombinant BGLAP protein can be used to screen and evaluate the effects of potential drugs on bone formation and bone resorption, as well as in studies of their efficacy in the treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis.