Other Names

BMPR1B, ALK6; AMDD; BDA2; ALK-6; BDA1D; CDw293

Background

BMPR1B gene, a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor family, encodes transmembrane serine/threonine kinases, and binds BMPs. BMPs are members of the TGF-beta superfamily and involved in endochondral bone formation and embryogenesis. These proteins transduce their signals through the formation of heteromeric complexes of 2 different types of serine (threonine) kinase receptors: type I receptors of about 50-55 kD and type II receptors of about 70-80 kD. Type II receptors bind ligands in the absence of type I receptors, but they require their respective type I receptors for signaling, whereas type I receptors require their respective type II receptors for ligand binding. Several transcript variants encoding two different isoforms have been found for this gene.