Regulation of GDF6 expression seems to be a mechanism for evolving species-specific changes in skeletal structures. Seems to positively regulate differentiation of chondrogenic tissue through the growth factor receptors subunits BMPR1A, BMPR1B, BMPR2 and ACVR2A, leading to the activation of SMAD1-SMAD5-SMAD8 complex. The regulation of chondrogenic differentiation is inhibited by NOG. Also involved in the […]

Growth/differentiation factors (GDF-1 to GDF-15) are members of the BMP family of TGF-beta superfamily proteins. At the amino acid level, mature human GDF-7 shares 85% and 88% aa sequence identity with mature GDF-7 in mouse and rat. They are produced as inactive preproproteins which are then cleaved and assembled into active secreted homodimers. GDF dimers […]

BMP-7 is a member of the TGF-β superfamily which is supposed to be one of the most potent anabolic factors of chondrocytes. The growth factor domain of human BMP-7 shares 98% aa sequence identity with mouse and rat BMP-7.

Growth Differentiation Factor-7 (GDF-7; also called BMP-12 and CDMP-3) is a member of the BMP family of TGF-beta superfamily proteins. GDF­7 is synthesized as a large precursor protein that consists of an N-­terminal 19 amino acid (aa) signal sequence, a 302 aa pro region and a 129 aa C-terminal mature peptide. At the amino acid […]

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) is one of nine structurally related BMPs belonging to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of secreted proteins. The human BMP-4 shares 98 % sequence indentity with mouse BMP-4. Mature BMP-4 is a dimer that binds to a multimeric transmembrane receptor with serine/threonine kinase activity. BMP-4, a stimulator of chondrogenesis, both […]

Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) is a member of the BMP subgroup, of which BMP2-7 belongs to the TGF-β superfamily. It plays a dominant role in embryonic dorsoventral patterning, organogenesis, limb bud formation, and bone formation and regeneration. Mature human BMP-2 has 100% aa sequence identity with mouse and rat BMP-2. It has 85% sequence […]

BMP-3, also known as osteogenin, the most abundant BMP in adult bone, is one of at least 15 structurally and functionally related BMPs, which are members of the TGF-beta superfamily. BMPs were originally identified as protein regulators of cartilage and bone formation. They have since been shown to be involved in embryogenesis and morphogenesis of […]

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) is a member of the FGF gene family. Based on its structure, FGF-21 is further classified into a subfamily of FGFs along with FGF-19 and -23. At the amino acid sequence level, mature rat FGF-21 is 92% identical to mouse FGF-21. In comparison to other FGF subfamilies, a heparin-binding domain […]

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a member of the FGF family, within a subfamily that also includes FGF19 and FGF21. FGF proteins contain a 120 amino acid (aa) core FGF domain that exhibits a betatrefoil structure. β-Klotho has been identified as co-factor required for FGF-19, 21, 23 signaling. It can obviously increase ligand-receptor affinity. […]

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) is a member of the FGF gene family. Based on its structure, FGF-21 is further classified into a subfamily of FGFs along with FGF-19 and -23. At the amino acid sequence level, mature mouse FGF-21 is 81% and 92% identical to mature human and rat FGF-21, respectively. In comparison to […]