BMP-1及BMP家族在背-腹轴图式形成中的作用

The Roles of BMP-1 and BMPs in Dorsal-Ventral Patterning

骨形态发生蛋白(bone morphogenetic proteins,BMPs)是一类在发育过程中起重要作用的分子。除BMP-1外,其他BMP分子均属于转化生长因子-β(transforming growth factor-β,TGF-β)/BMP超家族的发育信号分子。在胚胎发育过程中,这些信号分子通过形成浓度梯度对背—腹轴各向异性分化进行调控。它们借助细胞表面受体的识别进行信号传导,参与调控细胞分化、增殖等活动。而BMP-1则属于细胞外基质金属蛋白酶超家族中的Tolloid蛋白酶家族。BMP-1通过水解其他BMP的抑制物(如脊索发生素,Chordin),达到促进其他BMP信号传导的目的。BMP-1、BMP和Chordin三者通过相互制约与相互促进等一系列作用,在背—腹沿线建立起稳定的BMP信号梯度。本文就BMP浓度梯度的形成及其稳态维持的机制进行回顾与总结。并在此基础上,对各个物种间BMP浓度梯度形成机制的异同,以及可能存在的协同进化进行比较、分析和讨论。

Bone morphogenetic proteins（ BMPs）,members of the transforming growth factor（ TGF-β）/BMP superfamily, are secreted signaling molecules, which play essential roles in early embryonic development. They regulate generation of the Dorsal-Ventral axis（ D-V axis） in embryogenesis by establishing concentration-gradients,and are recognized by their cognate cell surface receptors to control cell proliferation,differentiation,and cell fate determination. Although BMP-1 was accidently named as it was,it is actually a member of the Tolloid family of extracellular matrix metalloproteinases. BMP-1 could liberate BMPs from their inhibitory complexes by digesting the BMP antagonist-Chordin,thus regulating BMP signaling. Interactions among BMP-1,BMP,and Chordin results in a stable BMP gradient along the D-V axis. Herein,we review the literatures on the formation and maintenance of BMP gradient in pattern formation.