P08493

MGP(Matrix Gla protein) is a member of the osteocalcin/matrix Gla family of proteins. MGP plays a crucial role in regulating calcification within the extracellular matrix, particularly in cartilage and arterial tissues, which is vital for maintaining vascular health and preventing pathological calcification. MGP is a vitamin K-dependent protein characterized by the presence of five to six residues of γ-carboxy-glutamic acid (Gla), an amino acid that binds calcium ions and is essential for MGP′s function. In humans, MGP consists of 84 amino acids, along with a 19-amino-acid transmembrane signal peptide, while a truncated 77-residue form is found in human bone extracts, likely resulting from enzymatic processing. High expression levels of MGP are observed in the heart, kidney, and lung, with notable over-expression in the breast cancer cell line 600 PEI.