Bone morphogenetic protein 7 receptor complex (BMP7R complex)

The Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) receptor complex is a heterotetrameric assembly of transmembrane serine/threonine kinases essential for mediating the pleiotropic effects of the BMP7 ligand, also known as Osteogenic Protein-1 (OP-1) [PMID: 15621726]. The complex typically consists of two Type II receptors (such as BMPR2, ACVR2A, or ACVR2B) and two Type I receptors (primarily ACVR1/ALK2 or BMPR1A/ALK3) [UniProt: P36894, P36897]. Upon BMP7 binding, the Type II receptors phosphorylate the Type I receptors, triggering the activation of downstream Smad1/5/8 proteins and non-canonical MAPK pathways [PubMed: 25633196]. This signaling complex plays a pivotal role in bone formation, renal protection against fibrosis, and the regulation of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis [NCBI Gene: 655]. In clinical practice, the complex has been targeted using recombinant BMP7 (Eptotermin alfa) for bone repair and investigated for treating chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury [ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01835353]. However, therapeutic application is limited by risks such as ectopic ossification and the potential for systemic inflammatory responses [StatPearls: Bone Morphogenetic Protein].

Other names

BMP-7 receptorOsteogenic protein 1 receptorOP-1 receptorBMP7/ALK2/BMPR2 complexBMP7/ALK3/BMPR2 complex

Ligand-induced heterotetramerization and activation of Smad1/5/8 signaling