Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same. The homodimer protein described above is useful as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cartilage and bone diseases.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same. The homodimer protein described above is useful as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cartilage and bone diseases.

Abstract: This invention provides for a protein of the TGF-? superfamily in which the cysteine involved in the normal formation of homodimers is changed to another amino acid. These mutant proteins, as monomers, display higher bone morphogenetic activity than the wild-type protein dimers. Also provided is a method for producing and isolating these monomers by plasmid driven expression in various host systems including E. coli. In addition, the invention discloses the use of an agent containing purified monomers in preventing and treating diseases and problems affecting bone and/or cartilage.

Abstract: This invention provides for a protein of the TGF-? superfamily in which the cysteine involved in the normal formation of homodimers is changed to another amino acid. These mutant proteins, as monomers, display higher bone morphogenetic activity than the wild-type protein dimers. Also provided is a method for producing and isolating these monomers by plasmid driven expression in various host systems including E. coli. In addition, the invention discloses the use of an agent containing purified monomers in preventing and treating diseases and problems affecting bone and/or cartilage.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same. The homodimer protein described above is useful as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cartilage and bone diseases.

Abstract: A protein consisting of the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No: 1 derived from human MP52 and a homodimer protein thereof useful for treating cartilage and/or bone diseases and a process for its preparation.

Abstract: This invention provides for a protein of the TGF-? superfamily in which the cysteine involved in the normal formation of homodimers is changed to another amino acid. These mutant proteins, as monomers, display higher bone morphogenetic activity than the wild-type protein dimers. Also provided is a method for producing and isolating these monomers by plasmid driven expression in various host systems including E. coli. In addition, the invention discloses the use of an agent containing purified monomers in preventing and treating diseases and problems affecting bone and/or cartilage.

Abstract: The purpose is to provide a mature protein having an antagonistic activity against bone morphogenetic proteins. The mature protein having an antagonistic activity against bone morphogenetic proteins is obtained by converting at least one residue among methionine residues or tryptophane residues existing in the amino acid sequence of mature human MP52 (SEQ ID No 1) to a hydrophilic residue by chemical modification, or replacing said residues with a hydrophilic amino acid residue or a polar amino acid residue. The chemical modification for said methionine residue is performed by an oxidization reaction or an alkylation reaction. The chemical modification for said tryptophane residue is performed by an allylsulphenylation reaction.

Abstract: This invention provides for a protein of the TGF-? superfamily in which the cysteine involved in the normal formation of homodimers is changed to another amino acid. These mutant proteins, as monomers, display higher bone morphogenetic activity than the wild-type protein dimers. Also provided is a method for producing and isolating these monomers by plasmid driven expression in various host systems including E. coli. In addition, the invention discloses the use of an agent containing purified monomers in preventing and treating diseases and problems affecting bone and/or cartilage.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.: 1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.: 1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same.