NIT Rourkela Decode Sugar–Protein Code, Paving Way for Advanced Bone Healing Solutions

NIT Rourkela scientists have decoded the complex interaction between sugar molecules and a bone protein, paving the way for advancements in bone regeneration technology.

NIT Rourkela Decode Sugar–Protein Code

Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have discovered how natural sugar-like molecules in the human body influence Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2), a key driver of bone formation and repair, a finding published in Biochemistry that could enable advanced bone and cartilage regeneration, better implants, and more effective protein-based therapies.

The NIT Rourkela research team, led by Prof. Harekrushna Sahoo from the Department of Chemistry, along with research scholars Devi Prasanna Behera and Suchismita Subadini, studied how different GAGs influence BMP-2 under “stress” caused by urea-induced chemical denaturation. They found that BMP-2 unfolded more rapidly in the presence of Sulfated Hyaluronic Acid (SHA) compared to regular Hyaluronic Acid or no additives.

The researchers found that SHA binds directly to BMP-2 protein, gently altering its structure and making it unfold in a more controlled manner. Proteins perform vital functions in the body, but their activity depends on precise three-dimensional shapes. BMP-2, essential for bone and cartilage formation, injury repair, and stem cell guidance, interacts with glycosaminoglycans, special sugar-like molecules found in connective tissues and joint fluids.

Speaking about the findings and potential real-world impact of this research, Prof. Harekrushna Sahoo said. “BMP-2 is a critical protein in humans that plays a fundamental role in osteogenesis and bone regeneration, residing within the glycosaminoglycan-rich extracellular matrix environment of bone tissue. Our study reveals how specific GAG–BMP-2 interactions influence unfolding dynamics and structural stability. Furthermore, the work offers a mechanistic basis for tailoring GAG functional group modifications to modulate protein structure and activity, guiding next-generation pharmaceutical formulation.”

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