Bone morphogenetic protein 4, BMP-4, BMP4, BMP2B, DVR4
Bone morphogenic protein-4 (BMP-4) is one of nine structurally related BMPs belonging to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of secreted proteins. Mature BMP-4 is a dimer that binds to a multimeric transmembrane receptor with serine/threonine kinase activity. BMP-4 has important roles as a signalling molecule in embryonic tissues, including the developing central and peripheral nervous system, musculature and skeleton. BMP-4 as well as its receptors and their signal transduction pathways play a crucial role in the control of the differentiation and proliferation of the different cell types that constitute the anterior pituitary.
