Nat. Commun. 9, 3428 (2018).

Like most physiological phenomena, bone status is a combination of creation and degradation. In older adults these processes become dysregulated and are potential targets for therapy. Amongst the proteins involved in the anabolic processes that build bone are bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). A new study that explored these proteins and their interaction with a ubiquitin ligase, SMURF1, found that response to interventions in mice and older adults fell into different categories, based on BMP-2 and SMURF1 response. After various experiments, including altering SMURF1 protein levels and various pharmacological interventions, there is room for clinical improvement. Specifically, decreasing levels of SMURF1 in osteoclasts—bone generating cells—holds promise as a therapeutic strategy amongst older, osteoporotic individuals.