Osteocalcin serves several critical functions in the skeletal system. Its primary role is to regulate the mineralization of bone matrix. It binds to hydroxyapatite crystals and influences the size and shape of these crystals, thereby controlling the stiffness and strength of bone. Additionally, osteocalcin has been found to play a role in metabolism, influencing insulin secretion and sensitivity, and it may have implications for glucose homeostasis.
