Methods of expressing LIM mineralization protein in mammalian cells are described. Methods of expressing LIM mineralization protein and assessing glycosylation of the LIM mineralization protein in prokaryotic and non-mammalian eukaryotic cells are also described. The methods involve transfecting the cells with an isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a LIM mineralization protein. Transfection may be accomplished in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo by direct injection of virus or naked DNA, or by a nonviral vector such as a plasmid.