Research Purpose
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) is the most extensively studied BMP family member. BMP-2 induces osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. BMP-2 knockout mice exhibit reduced bone mass and spontaneous bone fracture, suggesting that BMP-2 is required for postnatal bone formation. Animal aging studies have shown that both BMP-2 gene expression and BMP-2 activity are decreased in bone with ages. Recently, BMP-2 was recognized as an osteoporosis-associated gene. Therefore, BMP-2 gene expression has become a target for drug discovery for bone diseases. Using a cell-based BMP-2 promoter reporter assay, we have screened compound libraries and identified several classes of small molecular weight compounds that induce BMP-2 expression in osteoblasts and stimulate bone formation. We are interested in identifying the molecular mechanisms by which these compounds activate BMP-2 transcription in bone. Through the following research projects, we will
- Determine the transcriptional mechanisms of BMP-2 gene expression in osteoblasts;
- Develop anabolic agents that stimulate BMP-2 expression and bone formation;
- Ultimately establish novel approaches for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Current projects
Supporting grants
- R01 AR050605 (Gregory Mundy)
- R03 AG024637 (Ming Zhao)
- K01 AR051165 (Ming Zhao)
Research personnel
Research techniques
- Determine the effects of anabolic compounds on osteoblast differentiation and bone formation in vitro and in vivo
- Characterize skeletal phenotype of genetic mouse models (transgenic and knockout mice)
- Protein-DNA interaction
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