Bioactive peptides function effectively with a minimal amount compared to proteins. Recently SPARC related modular calcium binding 1 (SMOC1) has been implicated in regulating osteoblast differentiation and limb and eye development. In this study we synthesized a peptide covering 16 amino acids derived from the extracellular calcium binding (EC) domain of SMOC1, and its effects on proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were examined. Treatment of SMOC1 peptide did not modulate proliferation of BMSCs. However, mineralization of BMSCs was significantly increased with a dose dependent manner. Consistently expression of osteoblast differentiation marker genes including type 1 collagen and osteocalcin was also dose dependently increased. Taken together, these results suggest that peptide derived from the EC domain of SMOC1 recapitulates at least partially osteogenic function of SMOC1.

Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION
 Ⅱ. MATERIALS AND METHODS
 Ⅲ. RESULTS
 Ⅳ. DISCUSSION
 Ⅴ. CONCLUSION
 Ⅵ. REFERENCES

• 최영애(Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Institute for Hard Tissue and Biotooth Regeneration, Kyungpook National University) | Young Ae Choi
• 신홍인(Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Institute for Hard Tissue and Biotooth Regeneration, Kyungpook National University) | Hong In Shin
• 박의균(Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Institute for Hard Tissue and Biotooth Regeneration, Kyungpook National University) | Eui Kyun Park correspondence