Bone-related carboxypeptidase-like protein and process for its production

摘要

A bone-related carboxypeptidase-like protein named OSF-5 which is obtained from bone tissue of a mammal including mouse or human, and a process for its production. This protein is a novel naturally occurring mammal protein which belongs to a group of carboxypeptidase molecules. OSF-5 acts as an adhesion molecule or a growth factor which takes part in the process of osteogenesis at the site of bone induction. OSF-5 can be used as an agent for treating bone metabolic diseases, and its high organ specificity for bones enables its use as a diagnostic reagent for bone metabolic diseases.