# BONE PROTEINS AND CELLULAR DIFFERENTIATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $75,661

## Abstract

The proposed research is aimed at obtaining insights into the mechanisms by
which two bone-specific proteins, bone morphogenetic protein and bone
inhibitory protein, regulate the differentiation of mesenchymal cells along
the pathway culminating in new bone formation and whether these proteins
are involved in the maintenance of the differentiated state.  These two
proteins have been partially purified and both exhibit biological activity
in vivo and in vitro.  Our specific intent is to purify to homogeneity
these two proteins and to study their effects on bone formation and
inhibition of this process and whether or not they influence the
differentiation of mesenchymal cells in vitro.  We will also attempt to
define which cell is responsible for the synthesis of these proteins by
testing for their production by osteosarcoma cells, which display
osteoblastic characteristics in vitro.  To this end, the proteins will be
purified, antibodies will be produced against these proteins, and these
will be used as probes to define whether osteosarcoma cells produce the
proteins.  In addition, using cultures of undifferentiated chick limb bud
mesenchyme and various molar ratios of these two proteins, bone
morphogenetic protein and bone inhibitory protein, expression of
chondrogenic and osteogenic phenotype will be examined.  The biochemical
markers to be used as evidence of chondrogenesis are glycosaminoglycan and
type II collagen synthesis; for osteogenesis, alkaline phosphatase activity
and incorporation of 45Ca into mineral.  The information obtained from such
studies is important for elucidating factors which may influence
differentiation of bone, but more importantly, such information will be
useful in understanding basic biological mechanisms involved in fracture
healing.  Such information, by extrapolation, will yield insight into
aberrant regulation of bone formation such as observed in ectopic bone
formation as a result of injury, insufficient bone formation observed in
degenerative changes associated with aging, as well as age-related
pathological changes seen in diseases such as peridontal disease and
osteoporosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3158136
- **Project number:** 5R01AR037440-02
- **Recipient organization:** CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** EN9DMTETW3N1
- **Principal Investigator:** ANNA G BROWNELL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $75,661
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-08-01 → 1990-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3158136

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3158136, BONE PROTEINS AND CELLULAR DIFFERENTIATION (5R01AR037440-02). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3158136. Licensed CC0.

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