The significance of bone morphogenetic protein
activity in vivo is the induction of new bone. BMP s
were identified as proteins that regulate a wide
range of functions, such as proliferation,
differentiation and apoptosis of many different
types of cells, such as osteoblasts, epithelial
cells, neurons and immune cells. BMP signaling
pathway is regulated by Smad proteins, which include
Smad6 that has the ability to inhibit the BMP
pathway. This is of particular of interest in gene
therapy whereby regulation of Smad6 expression using
catalytic RNA might be able to stimulate enhancement
in bone formation. In this project, hammerhead
ribozymes were designed to target specifically at
Smad6. Following the transfection of the ribozymes
into the cells, ribozyme 1 and 4 indicate a
significant level of Smad6 suppression at the
average of 59% and 52%, respectively, relative to
the control cells. Results obtained from this
project may provide insight for regulating Smad6 in
the BMP signaling pathway. As well as, a new gene
therapeutic approach for treatment in generating
bone, bone healing, repairing soft tissue and
stabilizing bony skeleton.
activity in vivo is the induction of new bone. BMP s
were identified as proteins that regulate a wide
range of functions, such as proliferation,
differentiation and apoptosis of many different
types of cells, such as osteoblasts, epithelial
cells, neurons and immune cells. BMP signaling
pathway is regulated by Smad proteins, which include
Smad6 that has the ability to inhibit the BMP
pathway. This is of particular of interest in gene
therapy whereby regulation of Smad6 expression using
catalytic RNA might be able to stimulate enhancement
in bone formation. In this project, hammerhead
ribozymes were designed to target specifically at
Smad6. Following the transfection of the ribozymes
into the cells, ribozyme 1 and 4 indicate a
significant level of Smad6 suppression at the
average of 59% and 52%, respectively, relative to
the control cells. Results obtained from this
project may provide insight for regulating Smad6 in
the BMP signaling pathway. As well as, a new gene
therapeutic approach for treatment in generating
bone, bone healing, repairing soft tissue and
stabilizing bony skeleton.