DMP-1 is a member of the small integrin ligand N-linked glycoprotein family. It is important for the mineralization of bone and dentin. DMP-1 is expressed in bone, tooth and hypertrophic cartilage. It is synthesized by preosteoblasts and contains a large number of acidic domains. DMP-1 localizes to the nucleus of undifferentiated osteoblasts where it functions as a transcriptional regulator for osteoblast-specific gene activation and induces osteoblast differentiation. During osteoblast mat