BMPR2

Protein coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II or BMPR2 is a serine/threonine receptor kinase encoded by the BMPR2 gene. It binds bone morphogenetic proteins, members of the TGF beta superfamily of ligands, which are involved in paracrine signaling. BMPs are involved in a host of cellular functions including osteogenesis, cell growth and cell differentiation. Signaling in the BMP pathway begins with the binding of a BMP to the type II receptor. This causes the recruitment of a BMP type I receptor, which the type II receptor phosphorylates. The type I receptor phosphorylates an R SMAD, a transcriptional regulator.

BMPR2 is expressed on both human and animal granulosa cells, and is a crucial receptor for bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF 9). These two protein signaling molecules and their BMPR2 mediated effects play an important role in follicle development in preparation for ovulation. However, BMPR2 can't bind BMP15 and GDF9 without the assistance of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B (BMPR1B) and transforming growth factor β receptor 1 (TGFβR1) respectively. There is evidence that the BMPR2 signaling pathway is disrupted in the case of polycystic ovary syndrome, possibly by hyperaldosterism. It appears that the hormones estrogen and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) have roles in regulating expression of BMPR2 in granulosa cells. Experimental treatment in animal models with estradiol with or without FSH increased BMPR2 mRNA expression while treatment with FSH alone decreased BMPR2 expression. However, in human granulosa like tumor cell line (KGN), treatment with FSH increased BMPR2 expression.

At least 70 disease causing mutations in this gene have been discovered. An inactivating mutation in the BMPR2 gene has been linked to pulmonary arterial hypertension. BMPR2 functions to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle tissue. It functions by promoting the survival of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells, therefore preventing arterial damage and adverse inflammatory responses. It also inhibits pulmonary arterial proliferation in response to growth factors, which prevents the closing of arteries by proliferating endothelial cells. When this gene is inhibited, vascular smooth muscle proliferates and can cause pulmonary hypertension, which, among other things, can lead to cor pulmonale, a condition that causes the right side of the heart to fail. The dysfunction of BMPR2 can also lead to an elevation in pulmonary arterial pressure due to an adverse response of the pulmonary circuit to injury.