骨形态发生蛋白(BMPs)属于转化生长因子-β超家族的成员,最初因其能诱导异位骨形成而得名。随着研究的深入,发现BMPs的功能不限于骨的发育和形成,而是涉及几乎全身所有系统,包括调节哺乳动物生长、细胞分化和细胞凋亡,而且越来越多的研究结果表明,BMP系统在调节雌性和雄性哺乳动物的繁殖中具有至关重要的功能。作者简要介绍了BMPs及其受体的结构与作用机制,并具体介绍了几种BMPs在哺乳动物繁殖中的功能。
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belongs to the transforming growth factor-βsuperfamily. They were originally known by their ability to induce ectopic bone formation. However, extensive studies have manifested that BMPs performs a much broader range of functions, almost involving all systems in body, which include regulating growth, cell differentiation and apoptosis. Moreover, more and more reports revealed that BMPs plays a crucial role in fertility in female and male mammals. This review introduced the structure and mechanism of action of BMPs and their receptors, and as well the function of several BMPs in mammalian reproduction.