| abstract |
The present invention relates to the development of bone growth factors as therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of pathological conditions involving bone tissue. The present invention provides biologically active proteinaceous factors comprising polypeptides containing the amino acid sequence M-A-G-L-G-D-E-F-G-D, [SEQ ID NO: 1], (X) F E T L F G A/V E D V I/D A L Q F V C G D, [SEQ ID NO: 2], or A-Y-I-P-I-E-T-L-E-G-I/G-E-L-V-D/Q-T-G/L-Q-F, [SEQ ID NO: 3], or biologically active fragments or sequence analogues thereof. Among the biological properties of the proteinaceous materials of the present invention is the capability to promote the growth and/or differentiation of osteoblastic cells. |