For Research Use Only in the United States. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
The MicroVue Osteocalcin immuno***** measures intact (de novo) osteocalcin in serum. Intact osteocalcin may be useful as a biochemical indicator of bone turnover.
Osteocalcin (OC) or BGP (bone gla protein) is found exclusively in bone tissue. It is a 5800 molecular weight extrahepatic vitamin K dependent protein produced by osteoblasts. It contains three gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues which are thought to be involved in calcium ion and hydroxyapatite binding. It accounts for 10%-20% of the noncollagenous protein in bone. While the in vivo function of osteocalcin is unknown, its affinity for bone mineral constituents implies a role in bone formation.
A Highly Specific Assay for Intact OC
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Does not detect carboxy- or aminoterminal peptides
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Requires tertiary structure for antibody recognition
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Detects intact OC, not OC fragments released during osteoclastic resorption