Bone morphogenetic protein 8

he Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the TGF-beta superfamily of cytokines that are involved in development, differentiation, and disease.  The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) super-family consists of a large number of growth and differentiation factors, such as TGF-betas, activins, inhibins, growth and differentiation factors (GDFs), and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs).  These TGF beta ligands act through specific serine/threonine type I and Type II receptor kinases (1).  These type I and II receptor kinases subsequently activate Smad proteins, which then propagate the signals into the nucleus to regulate target gene expression.   Several BMP isotypes have been identified  (BMP1 through BMP16) have been recovered through molecular cloning.  Recombinant protein products from several of these clones (BMP2-BMP16) are members of the TGF-beta super-family of regulatory ligands.  There exist high degree of amino acid sequence homology between BMP5, BMP6, and BMP7, that constitute a subfamily within the BMPs.  The signaling systems of BMP are highly conserved from flies to mammals and have been shown to be important in the development of multiple organs.

There are 2 variants fond in the BMP8 family (BMP8A and BMP8B).  BMP8 is also known as osteonegenic protein 2 (OP 2).  Closely related BMPs may use the same or different receptor complexes for signaling in a time- and space-dependent manner during development and differentiation.  The BMP8 signaling requires involvement of mother-against-dpp (MAD) related protein 1 (MADr1) signaling pathway as a down stream component during meiotic male germ cell differentiation (1).  The Bmp8 gene is expressed in developing skeletal tissue and maps near the Achondroplasia locus on mouse chromosome 4 (2).  BMP8 Induces cartilage and bone formation. May be the osteoinductive factor responsible for the phenomenon of epithelial osteogenesis. It also plays a role in calcium regulation and bone homeostasis. 

The BMP4-selective antibodies were generated against peptides form unique regions of the BMP4 protein.  FabGennix Inc. has also generated epitope specific rabbit anti-BMP2 and BMP8 polyclonal antibodies utilizing linear and cyclic peptide sequences.  These antibodies have been fully characterized for cross reactivity with other members of the bone morphogenetic proteins and other proteins.  Limited quantities of the antigenic blocking peptide for BMP2 antibodies is also available.

For research use only, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.