Chemicals and Drugs

Osteocalcin

Vitamin K-dependent calcium-binding protein synthesized by OSTEOBLASTS and found primarily in BONES. Serum osteocalcin measurements provide a noninvasive specific marker of bone metabolism. The protein contains three residues of the amino acid gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla), which, in the presence of CALCIUM, promotes binding to HYDROXYAPATITE and subsequent accumulation in BONE MATRIX.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Vitamin K-dependent calcium-binding protein synthesized by OSTEOBLASTS and found primarily in BONES. Serum osteocalcin measurements provide a noninvasive specific marker of bone metabolism. The protein contains three residues of the amino acid gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla), which, in the presence of CALCIUM, promotes binding to HYDROXYAPATITE and subsequent accumulation in BONE MATRIX.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

Loading graph…

Drag nodes to rearrange; hover to trace links; click a node to open its page.

MeSH Record

Synonyms

13 entry terms
  • 4-Carboxyglutamic Protein, Bone
  • Bone Gla Protein
  • Bone gamma-Carboxyglutamic Acid Protein
  • Calcium-Binding Protein, Vitamin K-Dependent
  • Gla Protein, Bone
  • Vitamin K-Dependent Bone Protein
  • 4 Carboxyglutamic Protein, Bone
  • Bone 4-Carboxyglutamic Protein
  • Bone gamma Carboxyglutamic Acid Protein
  • Calcium Binding Protein, Vitamin K Dependent
  • Protein, Bone 4-Carboxyglutamic
  • Protein, Bone Gla
  • Vitamin K Dependent Bone Protein

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

30 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

90; GLA-PROTEIN was see OSTEOCACLIN 1990-96

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • 1-Carboxyglutamic Acid (1978-1981)
  • Binding Proteins (1978-1980)
  • Calcium (1978-1980)
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins (1980-1989)
  • Proteins (1980-1981)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. D12.776w.157w.125w.700

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Osteocalcin. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D015675. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D015675
  2. Osteocalcin. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59250722