Gremlin研究进展

Recent progress in Gremlin

Gremlin是骨形态形成蛋白(BMP)拮抗剂家族的新成员,在脊椎动物肢体的胚胎发育和肾脏、肺的形态形成过程中起重要的作用。Gremlin分为Gremlin1、Gremlin2、Gremlin3三种,结构中均具有半胱氨酸结,Gremlin通过与BMP2和BMP4的直接结合阻断BMP作用的信号通路。Gremlin还可能参与调节中脑、卵泡、视神经细胞的发育和成骨细胞、前脂肪细胞的分化,并且可能与糖尿病、肿瘤、骨关节炎等疾病的发生相关。

Gremlin is a novel member of the bone morphogenetic protein antagonistic family. It plays an important role in the embryonic development of limbs and the morphogenesis of kidney and pulmonary in vertebrates. Gremlin has three subtypes ： Gremlin 1, Gremlin 2 and Gremlin 3, all of which share a cysteine knot in their protein structures. Gremlin can block the BMP signal pathway by directly binding with BMP2 and BMP4. Gremlin may also regulate the development of mesencephalon, ovarian follcles, optic nerves and the differentiation of osteoblasts as well as preadipocytes. It may also involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, tumors, osteoarthritis, etc.