BMP7

What is BMP7 protein?

BMP7 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7) is a protein coding gene which situated on the long arm of chromosome 20 at locus 20q13. This gene spans approximately 97.9 kb of genomic DNA. Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 (BMP7) is one of the BMPs, some of which belong to the TGF-beta superfamily (BMP2-7). There are more than thirteen BMPs have been discovered nowadays and they are involved in inducing cartilage and bone formation. BMP-7 is mainly expressed in kidney and bladder. It is also present in developing eyes, brain and ear during embryogenesis. BMP7 also named osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) is a potent osteoinductive cytokine and plays role in osteoblast differentiation, SMAD1 production and renal development and repair. Human BMP7 is synthesized with a signal sequence (29 aa.), a propeptide (263 aa.), and a growth factor domain (139 aa.). The growth factor domain of human BMP7 shares 98 % aa. sequence identity with mouse and rat BMP7.

What is the function of BMP7 protein?

BMPs were originally identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site. Based on its expression early in embryogenesis, the proteins encoded by this gene family have a proposed role in early development and possible bone inductive activity. Also, it promotes nephron development, inhibits the branching of prostate epithelium, and antagonizes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In pathological conditions, BMP7 inhibits tumour growth and metastasis, ameliorates fibrotic damage in nephritis, and promotes neuroregeneration following brain ischemia.

BMP7 related signaling pathway

BMP7 can significantly inhibit TGF-β through binding with TGF-β receptor and trigger SMAD transcription factors, such as SMAD 1/5/8. Also, it promotes brown adipocyte differentiation by P38 MAPK pathway-mediated activation of target genes, including members of the SOX family of transcription factors.

BMP7 Related Diseases

Various cancer. Transcriptomic data suggested that BMP7 expression may be disrupted in tumor like ovarian carcinoma and may play an important role in the aggressiveness of the disease.

Congenital Heart Defects. It plays an important role in heart development, mutations in the BMP7 gene can cause heart defects.

Ventricular Septal Defect 1. MBP7 can regulate the genes which are responsible for differentiation of cardiomyocytes. Any disturbances of this process may lead to various congenital heart diseases and defects

Fig1. Schematic diagrams of the role of mPTD-BMP7 in the diabetic condition.

Biomedical Application of BMP7 Protein

In experimental kidney injury, administration of BMP-7 or inhibition of CTGF have been sufficient to result in striking improvement of renal function and structure. BMP7 treatment inhibited tubular epithelial disruption stimulated by the renal injury of UUO, preventing tubular atrophy and diminishing the activation of tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis and preserving renal function. Additional BMP treatment plus conventional intervention is more effective than conventional intervention alone for union of acute open tibial fractures.