BGLAP (Osteocalcin) is a protein secreted by osteoblasts that functions in metabolic regulation. It is pro-osteoblastic (bone-building) and is involved in bone mineralization and calcium ion homeostasis. Osteocalcin functions as a hormone that induces beta cells in the pancreas to release more insulin. It also directs fat cells to release adiponectin, thus increasing sensitivity to insulin. It enhances testosterone synthesis and is involved in male fertility. It is thought to promote growth and invasion in pancreatic cancer cells, and additionally some genetic BGLAP variants are associated with increased risk for hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. In immunohistochemistry, BGLAP has secretory and extracellular positivity in the myometrium, brain, gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, muscle and at low to variable levels in other tissues throughout the body. References: The UniProt Consortium. Nucleic Acids Res. 47: D506-515 (2019); Nucleic Acids Res. 2016 Jan 4;44(D1):D733-45, PMID:26553804; Mol Cancer. 2007 Dec 28;6:83, PMID: 18163903; PLoS One. 2015 Jan 14;10(1):e0116479, PMID: 25587715