BMPs

BMPs is the acronym for: "Bone Morphogenetic Proteins". This is a group of signaling molecules that belong to the superfamily of transforming growth factors-β and play a central role in embryogenesis, tissue homeostasis, cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. The most important BMPs involved in skeletal development are BMP-2,-4,-5,-6,-7 and their antagonists noggin and gremlin. The Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of proteins includes TGF-βs, activins, inhibins, Growth Differentiation Factors (GDFs), Glial Derived Neurotrophic Factors (GDNFs), Nodal, Lefty and Anti-Müllerian Hormone.

Originally discovered for their ability to stimulate bone formation, BMPs are now known to play a critical role in all organ systems. BMPs are important for embryogenesis and development and for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis in adults.

Mouse knockout models of various components of the BMP signaling pathway lead to embryonic lethality or pronounced defects, highlighting the essential functions of BMPs

The activity of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) was first observed in the mid-1960s when it was discovered that they could induce ectopic bone formation. It has since been shown that BMPs are able to induce mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into bone, confirming their role in bone and cartilage formation.

1. Migliorini E et al. (2020) Learning from BMPs and their biophysical extracellular matrix microenvironment for biomaterial design. Bone 141:115540