# REGULATION AND BIOSYNTHESIS OF K-DEPENDENT BONE PROTEINS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 1990 · $217,096

## Abstract

We have discovered in the bone of several animal species the presence of an
unique protein, the Gla protein.  We have developed specific radioimmunoassays
for several species of Gla protein and have demonstrated that it is present in
readily detectable quantities in both serum (or plasma) and urine.  In
preliminary studies in humans with one of the radioimmunoassay procedures, we
have determined that the measurement of Gla protein can be an index of bone
turnover.  For example, its serum concentration is increased in patients with
Paget's disease of bone and in hyperparathyroidism and decreases with therapy.
To pursue these observations, we plan a systematic study of the Gla protein in
normal and abnormal skeletal metabolism in humans and experimental animals and
in vitro.  In humans we shall study the Gla protein in normal subjects of both
sexes and in patients with a variety of skeletal disorders.  The measurement of
Gla protein will be related to the clinical course of the disease, including
treatment regimens, and other parameters of calcium and skeletal metabolism such
as plasma calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, PTH, calcitonin, and
vitamin D metabolites and bone radiography, densitometry, and biopsy.  In animal
studies we shall evaluate the effect on Gla protein of perturbations to skeletal
homeostasis such as dietary manipulations; surgery on the thyroid and
parathyroid glands, the gonads, the kidneys and ureters; and the exogenous
administration of substances such as PTH, calcitonin, vitamin D metabolites,
diphosphonates, glucocorticoids, anticoagulants, and sex hormones.  In vitro
studies of bone will also be conducted to determine the effect of experimental
manipulations on the dynamics of the Gla protein.  These studies should help to
define the clinical and biological significance of the Gla protein of bone and
may provide a useful and unique biochemical marker for the assessment of bone
turnover and skeletal status.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155370
- **Project number:** 5R01AR025921-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **SAM.gov UEI:** UYTTZT6G9DT1
- **Principal Investigator:** PAUL ARMS PRICE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $217,096
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-07-01 → 1991-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155370

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155370, REGULATION AND BIOSYNTHESIS OF K-DEPENDENT BONE PROTEINS (5R01AR025921-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155370. Licensed CC0.

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