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Molecular Genetics of Skeletal Morphogenesis

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Osteoporosis: Genetics, Prevention and Treatment

Part of the book series: Endocrine Updates ((ENDO,volume 3))

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Abstract

Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control growth, patterning and repair of skeletal tissues has increased greatly in the past few years. An emerging paradigm is that signals important for embryonic skeletal formation are also utilized by adult organisms to regulate skeletal homeostasis. Current research has shown that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play an important role in these processes. BMPs are widely expressed in developing skeletal structures and mutations in individual BMP genes block early events in skeletal morphogenesis at specific anatomical sites. Based on available information, it seems likely that different members of the BMP gene family have evolved to control the formation of distinct sets of skeletal structures. This chapter will focus on BMPs because of their central role in bone formation. We will describe our current understanding of osteogenic BMP proteins, the BMP signaling pathway, and also discuss the interactions of BMPs with other developmental molecules that play important roles in skeletal morphogenesis. We will also speculate about the regulation of BMPs by agents that are known effectors of bone mass in adults, thus defining a potential role for BMPs in adult skeletal homeostasis.

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Authors
  1. Vicki Rosen Ph.D.
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  2. Laura Gamer M.D.
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

    John S. Adams M.D.

  2. University of Kansas Medical School, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

    Barbara P. Lukert M.D.

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© 1999 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Rosen, V., Gamer, L. (1999). Molecular Genetics of Skeletal Morphogenesis. In: Adams, J.S., Lukert, B.P. (eds) Osteoporosis: Genetics, Prevention and Treatment. Endocrine Updates, vol 3. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5115-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5115-7_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7327-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-5115-7

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