Roles of vitamin K‑dependent protein in biomineralization (Review)

Zhang,Meng; Zhang,Qingqi; Du,Pengfei; Chen,Xin; Zhang,Yumei

doi:10.3892/ijmm.2023.5330

Roles of vitamin K‑dependent protein in biomineralization (Review)

Authors:
- Meng Zhang
- Qingqi Zhang
- Pengfei Du
- Xin Chen
- Yumei Zhang
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Affiliations: College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, P.R. China
Published online on: November 24, 2023 https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2023.5330
Article Number: 6
Copyright: © Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Vitamin K (VK), a fat‑soluble vitamin, is well known as an anticoagulant in the clinic. It is essential for the post‑translational activation of VK‑dependent proteins (VKDPs) because hydroquinone VK is a cofactor of glutamine carboxylase. At present, 17 VKDPs are known, which are mainly involved in coagulation and calcification. When Glu residues are carboxylated to Gla residues, these proteins gain a higher calcium‑binding ability, which explains why VK has an important role in blood coagulation and biomineralization. However, the current view on the role of VK and several VKDPs in biomineralization remains inconsistent. For instance, conflicting results have been reported regarding the effect of osteocalcin gene knockout on the bone of mice; matrix Gla protein (MGP) promotes osteoblasts mineralization but inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell mineralization. The present review aimed to summarize the existing evidence that several VKDPs, including osteocalcin, MGP, Gla‑rich protein and growth arrest specific 6 are closely related to calcification, including bone health, vascular calcification and lithiasis. The current review discussed these controversies and provided suggestions for future studies on VKDPs, i.e. taking into account dietary habits, geographical environments and genetic backgrounds.

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