BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN AND BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN GENE FAMILYIN BONE-FORMATION AND REPAIR

The bone morphogenetic proteins are secreted signalling molecules that belong to the transforming growth factor beta family of growth and di fferentiation factors, Individual bone morphogenetic proteins are prom inent at many sites during embryogenesis and are likely to be key regu lators of early development and organogenesis, In vertebrates, one of the functions of bone morphogenetic like proteins is to induce formati on of bone, cartilage, and connective tissues associated with the skel eton. This osteoinductive ability has led to the use of bone morphogen etic proteins as therapeutic agents for creation of new bone useful in treatment of skeletal injuries and diseases, and in oral and maxillof acial applications.