BMP-3

TGF-β family members are key modulators of cell proliferation, differentiation, matrix synthesis, and apoptosis. As implied by their name, BMPs initiate, promote, and regulate the development, growth and remodeling of bone and cartilage. In addition to this role, BMPs are also involved in prenatal development and postnatal growth, remodeling and maintenance of a variety of other tissues and organs. BMP-3 is abundantly found in adult bone, and to a lesser extent fetal cartilage. BMP-3 inhibits osteogenesis and bone formation by activating a signaling cascade that antagonizes the signaling of pro-osteogenic BMPs. Recombinant human BMP-3 is a disulfide linked homodimeric protein that corresponds to residues 361 to 472 of the 472 amino acid BMP-3 precursor protein.