Vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of matrix Gla-protein: a crucial switch to control ectopic mineralization.

Leon J Schurgers, Jouni Uitto, Chris P Reutelingsperger

Journal: Trends in molecular medicine 2013;19(4):217-26

PMID: 23375872

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Vascular mineralization has recently emerged as a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Previously regarded as a passive end-stage process, vascular mineralization is currently recognized as an actively regulated process with cellular and humoral contributions. The discovery that the vitamin K-dependent matrix Gla-protein (MGP) is a strong inhibitor of vascular calcification has propelled our mechanistic understanding of this process and opened novel avenues for diagnosis and treatment. This review focuses on molecular mechanisms of vascular mineralization involving MGP and discusses the potential for treatments and biomarkers to monitor patients at risk for vascular mineralization.

Address: Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Universiteitssingel 50, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2012.12.008

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MeSH Terms: Biomarkers, Calcium-Binding Proteins, Cardiovascular Diseases, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Humans, Muscle, Smooth, Vascular, Risk Factors, Vascular Calcification, Vitamin K, Matrix Gla Protein