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Background
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Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP) are members of the TGF beta superfamily of cytokines that affect bone and cartilage formation. Similar to other TGF beta family proteins, BMPs are highly conserved across animal species. BMPs are involved in embryogenesis and morphogenesis of various tissues and organs. BMP6 is an autocrine stimulator of chondrocyte differentiation and has been implicated in the development of embryonic kidney and urinary systems. It is involved in liver growth and differentiation, keratinocyte differentiation, and regulation of neuronal tissue development. BMP6 expression is localized to smooth muscle cells of normal cerebral blood vessels, intimal plaques and atherosclerotically changed blood vessels, further suggesting a role as a regulator of developing tissues. BMP-6 is a member of the TGF-beta superfamily of cytokines regulating homeotic gene expression, embryonic development and neurogenesis.Synonyms: BMP-6, Bone morphogenetic protein 6, VGR, VGR1
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