title: Bone morphogenetic proteins as regulators of iron metabolism.
abstract: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily of signaling molecules. In addition to protean roles in embryonic development, germ-line specification, and cellular differentiation, a central role in iron homeostasis has recently been demonstrated for certain BMPs. Specifically, BMP6 serves to relate hepatic iron stores to the hepatocellular expression of the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin. This regulation occurs via cellular SMAD-signaling molecules and is strongly modulated by the BMP coreceptor hemojuvelin (HJV). Mutations in certain genes influencing signaling to hepcidin via the BMP/SMAD pathway are associated with human disorders of iron metabolism, such as hereditary hemochromatosis and iron-refractory iron-deficiency anemia. Evidence suggests that signals in addition to iron stores influence hepcidin expression via the BMP/SMAD pathway. This review summarizes the details of BMP/SMAD signaling, with a particular focus on its role in iron homeostasis and iron-related diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Clinical Nutrition, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: Nermi L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Parrow
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Fleming
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D019266:Iron, Dietary
keywords: bone morphogenic proteins; hepcidin; hereditary hemochromatosis; iron homeostasis