Impaired osteoblast and osteocyte maturation in the pathogenesis of renal osteodystrophy

The Martin Laboratory will be involved in determining whether CKD-mediated changes in osteocyte biology result in abnormal DMP1 cleavage and partitioning of DMP1 between the intracellular and matrix compartments. The amount of full-length DMP1, N-terminal DMP1, and C-terminal DMP1 will be determined in bone biopsies obtained at UCLA from pediatric CKD patients and healthy controls. Biopsies will be shipped by Federal Express from UCLA to Northwestern University. The Martin laboratory will be involved in separating bone extracellular matrix proteins from cellular proteins and analyze the different fractions probed with specific DMP1 antibodies by Western Blotting (WB). The Martin laboratory has developed the bone extracellular matrix protein separation protocol and has expertise in performing the WB assays all essential for the successful completion of the work described in this application.