Bone morphogenetic proteins and growth differentiation factors as drug targets in cardiovascular and metabolic disease

• Published in: Drug discovery today Vol. 11; no. 9; pp. 405 - 411
• Main Authors: Tobin, James F., Celeste, Anthony J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2006
• Subjects: Animals; Atherosclerosis - metabolism; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors - drug effects; Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors - genetics; Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors - metabolism; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins - antagonists & inhibitors; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins - metabolism; Cardiovascular Agents - pharmacology; Cardiovascular Diseases - genetics; Cardiovascular Diseases - metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Growth Differentiation Factor 3; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary - genetics; Hypertension, Pulmonary - metabolism; Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacology; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Kidney Diseases - metabolism; Metabolic Diseases - metabolism; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Transforming Growth Factor beta - antagonists & inhibitors; Transforming Growth Factor beta - metabolism
• ISSN: 1359-6446; 1878-5832
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2006.03.016

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and growth differentiation factors (GDFs) control the development and homeostasis of multiple tissue types in many organisms, from humans to invertebrates. These morphogens are expressed in a tissue-specific manner and they signal by binding to serine–threonine kinase receptors, resulting in coordinated changes in gene expression that regulate the differentiation and development of multiple tissue types. In addition, these proteins are regulated post-transcriptionally through binding to several soluble proteins. In this review we focus on a subset of BMPs and GDFs that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.