Bone morphogenetic protein signaling in the developing kidney: present and future.
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. A critical role for BMP signaling in the development of the metanephric kidney is supported by a growing number of studies using in vitro assays and in vivo animal models. Here we review current knowledge of BMPs, BMP receptors and regulators of the BMP signaling pathway in the developing kidney. We highlight major gaps in our knowledge of the roles of BMP signaling in the development of the normal and abnormal kidney and identify areas and techniques likely to improve our understanding.
Cain
Jason E
JE
Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Hartwig
Sunny
S
Bertram
John F
JF
Rosenblum
Norman D
ND
D000818:Animals; D052004:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors / Q000502:physiology; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005544:Forecasting; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D052004:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors