The gene encoding bone morphogenetic protein-7 (Bmp7) is expressed in the developing kidney in embryos and also in the mature organ in adults. During kidney development, expression of Bmp7 is essential to determine the final number of nephrons in and proper size of the organ. The secreted BMP7 acts on the nephron progenitor cells to exert its dual functions: To maintain and expand the progenitor population and to provide them with competence to respond to differentiation cues, each relying on distinct signaling pathways. Intriguingly, in the adult organ, BMP7 has been implicated in protection against and regeneration from injury. Exogenous administration of recombinant BMP7 to animal models of kidney diseases has shown promising effects in counteracting inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis evoked upon injury. Although the expression pattern of Bmp7 has been well described, the mechanisms by which it is regulated have remained elusive and the processes by which the secretion sites of BMP7 impinge upon its functions in kidney development and diseases have not yet been assessed. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms will pave the way towards gaining better insight into the roles of BMP7, and to achieving desired control of the gene expression as a therapeutic strategy for kidney diseases.

中文翻译：

---

骨形态发生蛋白7在肾脏发育和疾病中的作用和调节。

编码骨形态发生蛋白7（Bmp7）的基因在胚胎的发育中肾脏以及成人的成熟器官中表达。在肾脏发育过程中，Bmp7的表达对于确定肾单位的最终数目和器官的适当大小至关重要。分泌的BMP7作用于肾单位祖细胞以发挥其双重功能：维持和扩大祖细胞群，并使他们具有对分化线索做出反应的能力，每一个都依赖于不同的信号传导途径。有趣的是，在成年器官中，BMP7参与了针对损伤的保护和再生。在肾脏疾病的动物模型中外源重组BMP7的给药已显示出在抵抗炎症，凋亡和损伤引起的纤维化方面有希望的作用。尽管已经很好地描述了Bmp7的表达模式，但对其调节的机制仍然不清楚，并且尚未评估BMP7的分泌位点影响其在肾脏发育和疾病中的功能的过程。了解调节机制将为更好地了解BMP7的作用以及实现对基因表达的所需控制作为肾脏疾病的治疗策略铺平道路。