Bone morphogenetic proteins

Abstract

This chapter focuses on bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the skeleton. We begin with an introduction to canonical BMP signaling and detail how recent research has characterized a much more complex signaling mechanism that integrates the participation of multiple BMP ligands and receptors, each present in a time- and location-specific manner. We then explore the roles of the endogenous BMP antagonists found in bone and the intersection of BMP signaling with other signaling pathways critical to skeletal homeostasis including Wnt, NFkB, and parathyroid hormone. After establishing BMP physiology as a complex integrated signaling network, we discuss its importance in skeletal diseases.