Osteocalcin Propeptide, Gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein, Bone Gla-protein, BGLAP, Bone gamma carboxyglutamate protein, BGLAP, BGP, Bone gamma carboxyglutamate gla protein osteocalcin, Bone gamma carboxyglutamate protein, Bone Gla protein, Gamma carboxyglutamic acid containing protein, OC, PMF1, OSTCN_HUMAN.
Osteocalcin belongs to the osteocalcin/matrix Gla protein family and constitutes 1 to 2% of the total bone protein. It is a 49 amino acid single chain vitamin K dependent protein, made by osteoblasts, and is a major component of the noncollagenous bone matrix. Post translational modification by a vitamin K dependent carboxylase produces three gamma carboxyglutamic acid residues at positions 17, 21 and 24, giving it a high affinity for calcium. It also binds strongly to apatite.