Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and their role in poultry

SUMMARY

The chicken is considered to be a major inexpensive protein producer of animal origin across the world. Enormous progress has been attained to improve production and reproduction by intense genetic selection, but it has resulted in indirect introduction of unwanted characteristics such as a strain on the birds’ skeletal system. Several genetic and non-genetic factors affect bone growth and integrity. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) superfamily and comprise one of the multifunctional growth factors involved in organogenesis. Briefly, BMPs are known to play varied roles in embryogenesis, limb morphogenesis, cardiac myofibrillogenesis, odontogenesis, folliculogenesis, tissue-homoeostasis and left-right chick patterning. Yet, few BMPs have been detected and assessed in the chicken and were found to be located differently on the chromosomes from mammals. BMP’s 1-like, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and BMP’s specific receptors (BMPR1A, BMPR1B and BMPR2) are expressed in osteoblasts and chondrocytes implicating their important role in osteo-chondrogenesis in chickens. However, some of the BMPs such as BMP2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 15 were also, surprisingly, detected in ovaries (granulosa and theca cells) and BMP2, 4 and 7 and BMPR1A, BMPR1B and BMPR2 in retinal pigment epithelium indicating their function in ovarian follicles and eye development in chicks. A number of antagonists have been identified as having a role in the signalling cascade of the bone morphogenetic proteins pathway. This review discusses the BMPs so far identified in chickens and their signalling and functioning for further use in improving skeletal strength and health of chickens.

KEYWORDS:

• BMPs
• chicken
• function
• skeletal system

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

D. Divya

Dr. D. Divya is working as Research Associate at ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India. She has post-doctoral research experience for more than 3 years. She has excellent academic records and has accomplished research work in the field of transgenesis, genome editing and genomics of poultry. She has developed transgenic chicken as bioreactor for production of human therapeutics. She has published 14 research papers and 3 review papers in peer reviewed Journals. She has received Dr. P. Kothandaram memorial award of IPSACON 2017 and 2nd best oral presentation award of IPSACON 2015. She has also received Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship from UGC, India during Ph.D degree programme.

T. K. Bhattacharya

Dr. T. K. Bhattacharya is working as Principal Scientist at ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India. He has research and teaching experience for more than 20 years. He has excellent academic and scientific achievements. He has accomplished extensive work in the field of transgenesis, gene silencing, genome editing, genetic markers, genomics and quantitative genetics of poultry, cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep and pig in the country. He has developed transgenic, knock down and genome edited chicken for production of therapeutics and improving performance of chicken. He has published more than 150 research articles in the peer reviewed Journals. He has been the Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), India and recipient of many national awards including ICAR Hari Om Ashram Trust award, ICAR Lal Bahadur shastry young scientist award, NAAS young scientist award, NAAS Associateship, ISCA young scientist award, DBT Associateship, Dr. D.S. Balain memorial award, Prof. PK Pani award etc.