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Article: Scientists at Rockefeller University release new data on biological chemistry.
- Article from:
- Chemicals & Chemistry
- Article date:
- November 13, 2009
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According to recent research from the United States, "Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) belongs to an unusual subgroup of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta)superfamily of signaling ligands as it lacks a key cysteine residue in the mature region required for proper intermolecular dimerization. Naturally occurring BMP15 mutation leads to early ovarian failure in humans, and BMP15 has been shown to activate the Smad1/5/8 pathway in that context."
"Despite its important role in germ cell specification, the embryological function of BMP15 remains unknown. Surprisingly, we find that during early Xenopus embryogenesis BMP15 acts solely as an inhibitor of ...