Osteocalcin
Osteocalcin
Osteocalcin (pronounced: os·te·o·cal·cin, /ˌɒstɪəʊˈkælsɪn/), also known as bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (BGLAP), is a non-collagen protein found in bone and dentin. The etymology of the term comes from the Greek words "osteon," meaning bone, and "kalkos," meaning pebble.
Function
Osteocalcin is secreted solely by osteoblasts and thought to play a role in the body's metabolic regulation and is pro-osteoblastic, or bone-building, by nature. It is also implicated in bone mineralization and calcium ion homeostasis.
Structure
Osteocalcin is a small protein with 49 amino acids. It has three residues of the amino acid gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla), which are important for its bioactivity.
Clinical significance
Osteocalcin is used as a biomarker to determine the bone turnover rate in medical practice. It is also involved in regulating blood sugar and fat deposition.
Related terms
- Osteoblast: The cell that secretes the matrix for bone formation.
- Gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla): An uncommon amino acid derived from glutamic acid. Proteins with Gla residues have the ability to bind calcium ions, which is critical for their biological functions.
- Biomarker: A measurable indicator of some biological state or condition.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Osteocalcin
- Wikipedia's article - Osteocalcin
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