The inhibitory protein PMEPA1, but not SMAD7, inhibits BMP signaling in endothelial cells

Angiogenesis is the development of blood vessels from existing vasculature via sprouting of endothelial cells. It is regulated by growth factor signals including Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP), a member of the TGFβ superfamily of signaling pathways. The BMP ligand leads to intracellular signaling and response via engagement with the heterotetrameric BMP receptor on the surface of an endothelial cell (EC). The receptor complex phosphorylates intracellular SMAD1/5/8 proteins. These proteins then bind to SMAD4 protein to facilitate nuclear translocation and transcriptional regulation. The Notch signaling pathway has been shown to downregulate EC responsiveness to BMP signaling by mechanisms that are not fully understood.Bachelor of Scienc