Rat Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4, BMP-4 ELI

Growth factor of the TGF-beta superfamily that plays essential roles in many developmental processes, including neurogenesis, vascular development, angiogenesis and osteogenesis (By similarity). Acts in concert with PTHLH/PTHRP to stimulate ductal outgrowth during embryonic mammary development and to inhibit hair follicle induction (By similarity). Initiates the canonical BMP signaling cascade by associating with type I receptor BMPR1A and type II receptor BMPR2.

Once all three components are bound together in a complex at the cell surface, BMPR2 phosphorylates and activates BMPR1A.

In turn, BMPR1A propagates signal by phosphorylating SMAD1/5/8 that travel to the nucleus and act as activators and repressors of transcription of target genes.

Can also signal through non-canonical BMP pathways such as ERK/MAP kinase, PI3K/Akt, or SRC cascades.

For example, induces SRC phosphorylation which, in turn, activates VEGFR2, leading to an angiogenic response (By similarity).