RNAse protection assay for BMP type I receptors

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) signal through a receptor complex comprising two distinct transmembrane serine/threonine kinases referred to as type I and type II receptors. The identification of at least three classes of type I receptors (ALK-2, -3, -6) and three classes of type II receptors for the BMPs, raises the possibility of multiple receptor complexes which may have distinct functions. An RNAse protection assay has been established which allows simultaneous analyses of the mRNAs for ALK-2, -3, and -6. As a test system, cultures of pluripotent C3H10T1/2 cell line were incubated in the presence or absence of BMP-7, and the relative levels of the receptor mRNAs were determined. Changes in receptor mRNA levels for ALK-2 and -3 were detected during the proliferation phase and adipogenic differentiation of the pluripotent C3H10T1/2 cell line.