| Symbol | BMP7 |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 |
| Chromosomal Location | 20q12 |
| NCBI Gene ID | [656](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/656) |
| OMIM | [157255](https://www.omim.org/entry/157255) |
| Ensembl ID | [ENSG00000101144](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000101144) |
| UniProt | [P18075](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P18075) |
BMP7 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7), also known as osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1), encodes a member of the TGF-beta superfamily of signaling molecules. BMP7 is widely expressed in adult tissues and has important roles in bone formation, kidney development, tissue repair, and neuroprotection. In the nervous system, BMP7 has demonstrated significant neuroprotective properties, making it a promising therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease[1].
Unlike BMP4, which tends to promote astrocyte differentiation, BMP7 has more neuroroprotective effects and promotes neuronal survival across multiple models of neurodegeneration.
BMP7 shares the characteristic TGF-beta superfamily architecture:
The mature BMP7 forms:
BMP7 signals through similar receptors to BMP4:
Type I Receptors:
Type II Receptor:
Alternative Receptors:
BMP7 activates multiple intracellular pathways:
SMAD-Dependent:
SMAD-Independent:
BMP7 exerts potent anti-apoptotic effects[2]:
Caspase Inhibition:
Bcl-2 Family Modulation:
AKT Pathway Activation:
BMP7 modulates neuroinflammation[3]:
Microglial Activation:
Astrocyte Regulation:
Cytokine Modulation:
BMP7 affects amyloid pathology[4]:
APP Processing:
Amyloid Clearance:
Tau Pathology:
BMP7 has several beneficial effects on amyloid pathology:
Reduced Amyloid-beta Production:
Enhanced Clearance:
Neuroprotection Against Amyloid:
BMP7 addresses tau pathology[4:1]:
Reduces Hyperphosphorylation:
Prevents Aggregation:
BMP7 protects synaptic elements:
BMP7 is particularly important for dopaminergic neurons[5]:
Development:
Survival:
Regeneration:
In toxin-based PD models:
BMP7 modulates PD-related inflammation:
BMP7 has significant renoprotective effects[6]:
Nephrogenesis:
Adult Kidney:
Disease Applications:
This is relevant to neurodegeneration because kidney dysfunction is a common comorbidity in AD/PD patients.
BMP7 is expressed in:
In the brain:
BMP7 is produced by:
BMP7 has shown promise in multiple models:
AD Models:
PD Models:
Several delivery strategies are being explored:
Protein Delivery:
Gene Therapy:
Small Molecules:
Neuroinflammation: BMP7's anti-inflammatory effects are increasingly characterized.
Tau Pathology: Direct effects on tau pathology validated in multiple models.
Combination Therapy: BMP7 with other growth factors shows enhanced effects.
Delivery Advances: Improved delivery methods for CNS application.
Chen D, Wang Q, Wang J, et al. Bone morphogenetic proteins in neurodegenerative diseases. Molecular Neurobiology. 2014. ↩︎
Yoon YS, Lee JH, Hwang SC, et al. BMP7 ameliorates amyloid-beta-induced cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease models. Neurobiology of Disease. 2006. ↩︎
Uchiyama Y, Koike M, Hara Y, et al. BMP7 regulates astrogliosis and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Neuroinflammation. 2019. ↩︎
Yang J, Li S, Wang L, et al. BMP7 attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 2016. ↩︎ ↩︎
Deptala J, Szuster-Ciesielska A, Fiedorowicz M, et al. BMP-7: a neurotrophic factor for dopaminergic neurons. Journal of Neural Transmission. 2003. ↩︎
Vukicevic S, Basic V, Rogic D, et al. BMP-7: a bone-forming factor in kidney and other tissues. Kidney International. 2008. ↩︎