Caren Carpenter, PhD
Research & Publications
Biography
Research Summary
My laboratory is interested in the development of serum markers for the evaluation of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. We have focused primarily on osteocalcin, a vitamin K-dependent protein synthesized only in bone. We have conducted large population studies relating serum osteocalcin levels to race, gender, normal growth, development, and aging and to a variety of metabolic bone diseases including osteoporosis.
Specialized Terms: Function of non-collagenous bone matrix proteins with an emphasis on osteocalcin, a vitamin K-dependent protein synthesized only in bone; Animal Models; Biochemistry; Bone Disease; Bone Formation; Bone Markers; Cell Culture; Immunoassay
Extensive Research Description
There is also considerable evidence that vitamin K deficiency has a negative impact on bone. To that end we are investigating the relationships between vitamin K status, calcium homeostasis and biosynthesis of functional osteocalcin.
Current in vivo studies include analysis of the phenotype of several transgenic mice with targeted deletions of bone matrix proteins. Single and double knock-out mice are being developed in order to determine the role of these proteins in skeletal modeling and remodeling.
Research Interests
Bone Diseases; Bone Matrix; Immunoassay; Orthopedics; Vitamin K; Osteocalcin
Selected Publications
- Effect of vitamin K supplementation on bone loss in elderly men and women.Booth SL, Dallal G, Shea MK, Gundberg C, Peterson JW, Dawson-Hughes B. Effect of vitamin K supplementation on bone loss in elderly men and women. The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology And Metabolism 2008, 93: 1217-23. PMID: 18252784, PMCID: PMC2291488, DOI: 10.1210/jc.2007-2490.
- Associations between vitamin K biochemical measures and bone mineral density in men and women.Booth SL, Broe KE, Peterson JW, Cheng DM, Dawson-Hughes B, Gundberg CM, Cupples LA, Wilson PW, Kiel DP. Associations between vitamin K biochemical measures and bone mineral density in men and women. The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology And Metabolism 2004, 89: 4904-9. PMID: 15472183, DOI: 10.1210/jc.2003-031673.
- The three-dimensional structure of bovine calcium ion-bound osteocalcin using 1H NMR spectroscopy.Dowd TL, Rosen JF, Li L, Gundberg CM. The three-dimensional structure of bovine calcium ion-bound osteocalcin using 1H NMR spectroscopy. Biochemistry 2003, 42: 7769-79. PMID: 12820886, PMCID: PMC4517610, DOI: 10.1021/bi034470s.