Applications of transgenics in studies of bone sialoprotein

Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is a major non-collagenous protein in mineralizing connective tissues such as dentin, cementum and calcified cartilage tissues. As a member of the Small Integrin-Binding Ligand, N-linked Glycoprotein (SIBLING) gene family of glycoproteins, BSP is involved in regulating hydroxyapatite crystal formation in bones and teeth, and has long been used as a marker gene for osteogenic differentiation. In the most recent decade, new discoveries in BSP gene expression and regulation, bone remodeling, bone metastasis, and bone tissue engineering have been achieved with the help of transgenic mice. In this review, we discuss these new discoveries obtained from the literatures and from our own laboratory, which were derived from the use of transgenic mouse mutants related to BSP gene or its promoter activity.