BMP7 Gene (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7)

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BMP7 Gene (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7)

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BMP7 Gene (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7)

Overview

<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
<h3>BMP7</h3>
<table>
<tr><th>Symbol</th><td>BMP7</td></tr>
<tr><th>Full Name</th><td>Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7</td></tr>
<tr><th>Chromosomal Location</th><td>20q12</td></tr>
<tr><th>NCBI Gene ID</th><td>[656](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/656)</td></tr>
<tr><th>OMIM</th><td>[157255](https://www.omim.org/entry/157255)</td></tr>
<tr><th>Ensembl ID</th><td>[ENSG00000101144](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000101144)</td></tr>
<tr><th>UniProt</th><td>[P18075](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P18075)</td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/alzheimer-disease" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALZHEIMER DISEASE</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/alzheimer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Alzheimer</a>, <a href="/wiki/autoimmune" style="color:#ef9a9a">Autoimmune</a>, <a href="/wiki/cancer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Cancer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">63 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>

...

BMP7 Gene (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7)

Overview

BMP7 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7), also known as osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1), encodes a member of the [TGF-beta superfamily](/mechanisms/tgf-beta-signaling) of signaling molecules. BMP7 is widely expressed in adult tissues and has important roles in bone formation, kidney development, tissue repair, and neuroprotection. In the nervous system, BMP7 has demonstrated significant neuroprotective properties, making it a promising therapeutic candidate for [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) and [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)[@chen2014].

Unlike BMP4, which tends to promote astrocyte differentiation, BMP7 has more neuroroprotective effects and promotes neuronal survival across multiple models of neurodegeneration.

Protein Structure and Function

TGF-beta Superfamily Structure

BMP7 shares the characteristic TGF-beta superfamily architecture:

Precursor protein: ~431 amino acids
Signal peptide: N-terminal targeting sequence
Prodomain: Removed during processing
Mature dimer: Active form (~115 amino acids per monomer)

The mature BMP7 forms:

Homodimers: Most common active form
Heterodimers: Can pair with BMP2 or BMP4 for enhanced activity
Disulfide bonds: Cysteine-mediated dimerization

Receptor Interactions

BMP7 signals through similar receptors to BMP4:

Type I Receptors:

BMPR1A (ALK3): Widely expressed
BMPR1B (ALK6): More restricted expression

Type II Receptor:

BMPR2: Constitutively active
ACTR2 (ActRII): Can also mediate BMP7 signals

Alternative Receptors:

BMP7 can also signal through activin type II receptors
Provides tissue-specific effects

Signaling Pathways

BMP7 activates multiple intracellular pathways:

SMAD-Dependent:

Phosphorylates SMAD1/5/8
Forms complexes with SMAD4
Transcriptional regulation

SMAD-Independent:

MAPK pathways (ERK, p38, JNK)
PI3K/AKT pathway
Provides non-genomic effects

Neuroprotective Mechanisms

Anti-Apoptotic Effects

BMP7 exerts potent anti-apoptotic effects[@yoon2006]:

Caspase Inhibition:

Reduces caspase-3 activation
Blocks mitochondrial apoptosis pathway
Preserves neuronal viability

Bcl-2 Family Modulation:

Increases Bcl-2 expression
Reduces Bax translocation
Maintains mitochondrial integrity

AKT Pathway Activation:

Activates pro-survival AKT signaling
Phosphorylates BAD
Promotes cell survival

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

BMP7 modulates neuroinflammation[@uchiyama2019]:

Microglial Activation:

Reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production
Modulates microglial phenotype
Promotes anti-inflammatory state

Astrocyte Regulation:

Modulates astrocytic responses
Reduces reactive gliosis
Maintains homeostatic functions

Cytokine Modulation:

Reduces TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6
Increases anti-inflammatory mediators

Anti-Amyloid Effects

BMP7 affects amyloid pathology[@yang2016]:

APP Processing:

Modulates secretase activity
May reduce amyloid-beta production

Amyloid Clearance:

Promotes clearance mechanisms
Enhances microglial phagocytosis

Tau Pathology:

Reduces tau hyperphosphorylation
Protects against NFT formation

Role in Alzheimer's Disease

Amyloid Pathology

BMP7 has several beneficial effects on amyloid pathology:

Reduced Amyloid-beta Production:

Modulates α- and β-secretase activity
Shifts processing toward non-amyloidogenic pathway

Enhanced Clearance:

Promotes microglial phagocytosis
Increases extracellular proteolysis

Neuroprotection Against Amyloid:

Protects neurons from amyloid toxicity
Preserves synaptic function

Tau Pathology

BMP7 addresses tau pathology[@yang2016]:

Reduces Hyperphosphorylation:

Modulates GSK-3β activity
Reduces tau kinase activation

Prevents Aggregation:

Maintains tau solubility
Protects against NFT formation

Synaptic Function

BMP7 protects synaptic elements:

Preserves dendritic spines
Maintains synaptic plasticity
Improves cognitive function

Role in Parkinson's Disease

Dopaminergic Neuron Protection

BMP7 is particularly important for dopaminergic neurons[@deptala2003]:

Development:

Essential for dopaminergic neuron specification
Promotes differentiation of dopaminergic lineage

Survival:

Protects dopaminergic neurons from toxins
Supports mitochondrial function

Regeneration:

Promotes dopaminergic neuron survival
May support regeneration approaches

MPTP and 6-OHDA Models

In toxin-based PD models:

BMP7 protects against MPTP toxicity
Reduces dopaminergic neuron loss
Improves behavioral outcomes

Neuroinflammation

BMP7 modulates PD-related inflammation:

Reduces microglial activation
Decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines
Protects neurons from inflammation-mediated damage

Role in Kidney Disease

BMP7 has significant renoprotective effects[@vukicevic2008]:

Nephrogenesis:

Critical for kidney development
Promotes ureteric bud branching

Adult Kidney:

Maintains tubular cell function
Protects against fibrosis

Disease Applications:

Diabetic nephropathy
Acute kidney injury
Chronic kidney disease

This is relevant to neurodegeneration because kidney dysfunction is a common comorbidity in AD/PD patients.

Expression Patterns

Tissue Distribution

BMP7 is expressed in:

Bone and cartilage: Original discovery context
Kidney: High expression in adult
Brain: Cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum
Heart: Lower expression
Lung: Moderate expression

Brain Region Expression

In the brain:

Cortex: Pyramidal neurons
Hippocampus: CA1, CA3, dentate gyrus
Cerebellum: Purkinje cells
Substantia nigra: Dopaminergic neurons
Hypothalamus: Various nuclei

Cellular Localization

BMP7 is produced by:

Neurons: Both excitatory and inhibitory
Astrocytes: Astrocytic expression
Oligodendrocytes: Myelinating cells

Therapeutic Implications

Preclinical Results

BMP7 has shown promise in multiple models:

AD Models:

Improved cognitive function
Reduced amyloid burden
Decreased tau pathology

PD Models:

Protected dopaminergic neurons
Improved motor function
Reduced neuroinflammation

Delivery Approaches

Several delivery strategies are being explored:

Protein Delivery:

Recombinant BMP7 protein
Direct injection or infusion

Gene Therapy:

AAV-mediated BMP7 expression
Viral delivery to specific brain regions

Small Molecules:

BMP7 receptor agonists
Mimetic peptides

Clinical Considerations

BMP7 has been used clinically for bone healing
CNS delivery challenges remain
Dose and timing critical for effects
Combination therapies may be optimal

Key Research Findings

2018-2024 Research Highlights

Neuroinflammation: BMP7's anti-inflammatory effects are increasingly characterized.

Tau Pathology: Direct effects on tau pathology validated in multiple models.

Combination Therapy: BMP7 with other growth factors shows enhanced effects.

Delivery Advances: Improved delivery methods for CNS application.

Related Pathways

Mermaid diagram (expand to render)

References

[Deptala et al., BMP-7: a neurotrophic factor for dopaminergic neurons (2003)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-003-0032-8)

[Yoon et al., BMP7 ameliorates amyloid-beta-induced cognitive deficits (2006)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2006.07.015)

[Leonard et al., BMP7 protects dopaminergic neurons from MPTP toxicity (2009)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2009.08.010)

[Chen et al., BMPs in neurodegenerative diseases (2014)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-014-8741-4)

[Vukicevic et al., BMP-7: a bone-forming factor in kidney (2008)](https://doi.org/10.1038/ki.2008.516)

[Zhang et al., BMP-7 prevents glial activation (2009)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2009.06.057)

[Stott & Barker, BMP7 expression in Parkinson's disease (2010)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-010-0452-1)

[Hu et al., Therapeutic potential of BMP7 in neurodegenerative diseases (2019)](https://doi.org/10.2174/1567205016666190806153944)

[Uchiyama et al., BMP7 regulates astrogliosis in AD (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-019-1590-5)

[Yang et al., BMP7 attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation (2016)](https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-160354)

[Abdel Aziz et al., BMP7 reduces neuroinflammation in AD (2018)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-018-2620-8)

External Links

[NCBI Gene: 656](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/656)
[OMIM: 157255](https://www.omim.org/entry/157255)
[Ensembl: ENSG00000101144](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000101144)
[UniProt: P18075](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P18075)
[GeneCards: BMP7](https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=BMP7)

Pathway Diagram

The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving BMP7 Gene (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7) discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis:

Mermaid diagram (expand to render)

📖 View canonical wiki page →

Related Entities

BMP7

▸Metadataorigin_type: v1_polymorphic_backfill

slug	genes-bmp7
kg_node_id	BMP7
entity_type	gene
origin_type	v1_polymorphic_backfill
source_table	wiki_pages
wiki_page_id	wp-aefcfb72d82c
__merged_from	{'merged_at': '2026-05-13', 'unprefixed_id': 'genes-bmp7'}
_schema_version	1

📊 Evidence Profile Foundational

Evidence Balance

+0%

Certainty

100%

Debates

Incoming

Outgoing

0 supporting 0 contradicting 0 neutral

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🌍 Provenance Graph 1 nodes, 0 edges

No provenance edges found

This artifact has no version history yet.

Linked Artifacts (47)

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📗 Cite This Artifact

BMP7 Gene (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7)

BMP7 Gene (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7)

Overview

BMP7 Gene (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7)

Overview

Protein Structure and Function

TGF-beta Superfamily Structure

Receptor Interactions

Signaling Pathways

Neuroprotective Mechanisms

Anti-Apoptotic Effects

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Anti-Amyloid Effects

Role in Alzheimer's Disease

Amyloid Pathology

Tau Pathology

Synaptic Function

Role in Parkinson's Disease

Dopaminergic Neuron Protection

MPTP and 6-OHDA Models

Neuroinflammation

Role in Kidney Disease

Expression Patterns

Tissue Distribution

Brain Region Expression

Cellular Localization

Therapeutic Implications

Preclinical Results

Delivery Approaches

Clinical Considerations

Key Research Findings

2018-2024 Research Highlights

Related Pathways

Cross-Links to Related Pages

References

External Links

Pathway Diagram

💬 Discussion