Expression of genes for bone morphogenetic proteins BMP-2, BMP-4 and BMP-6 in various parts of the human skeleton.
BACKGROUND
Differences in duration of bone healing in various parts of the human skeleton are common experience for orthopaedic surgeons. The reason for these differences is not obvious and not clear.


METHODS
In this paper we decided to measure by the use of real-time RT-PCR technique the level of expression of genes for some isoforms of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), whose role is proven in bone formation, bone induction and bone turnover. Seven bone samples recovered from various parts of skeletons from six cadavers of young healthy men who died in traffic accidents were collected. Activity of genes for BMP-2, -4 and -6 was measured by the use of fluorescent SYBR Green I.


RESULTS
It was found that expression of m-RNA for BMP-2 and BMP-4 is higher in trabecular bone in epiphyses of long bones, cranial flat bones and corpus mandibulae then in the compact bone of diaphyses of long bones. In all samples examined the expression of m-RNA for BMP-4 was higher than for BMP-2.


CONCLUSIONS
It was shown that m-RNA for BMP-6 is not expressed in the collected samples at all. It is postulated that differences in the level of activation of genes for BMPs is one of the important factors which determine the differences in duration of bone healing of various parts of the human skeleton.
Kochanowska
Iwona
I
Department of Histology, Medical University, Chalubinskiego 5, Warsaw, 02-004, Poland. kochanie@immuno.iitd.pan.wroc.pl
Chaberek
Slawomir
S
Wojtowicz
Andrzej
A
Marczyński
Bartosz
B
Włodarski
Krzysztof
K
Dytko
Maria
M
Ostrowski
Kazimierz
K
D000328:Adult; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D055418:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000293:injuries / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D014945:Wound Healing
C525718:BMP2 protein, human; C525809:BMP4 protein, human; C525816:BMP6 protein, human; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D055418:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta