Gremlin 1 (GREM1)

Gremlin 1 (grem 1) is known for its antagonistic reaction with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the TGF beta signaling pathway. Grem 1 inhibits BMP-2, -4, and -7. Inhibition by grem 1 of BMPs in mice allow the expression of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) 4 and 8 and Sonic hedgehog (SHH) which are necessary for proper limb development .

Grem 1 regulation of BMP-4 in mice embryos is essential in kidney and lung branching morphogenesis. Data from microarrays of cancer and non-cancer tissues suggest that grem1 and other BMP antagonists are important in the survival of cancer stroma survival and proliferation in some cancers. Grem 1 expression is found in many cancers and is thought to play important roles in uterine cervix, lung, ovary, kidney, breast, colon, pancreas, and sarcoma carcinomas.