IBMS BoneKEy | BoneKEy Watch
Skeletal genes identified by studying over 3000 knockout mice lines
DOI:10.1038/bonekey.2015.23
In this massive undertaking, Brommage et al. performed high-throughput screening in just under 3000 knockout mouse lines in which lethality did not occur, determining their bone mass using DEXA scans at the age of 14 weeks. MicroCT analysis was also carried out at 16 weeks.
Mice from each line were subjected to bone strength studies and histomorphometry throughout life to assess the impact of aging on their bone quality. Female mice were also tested before and after ovariectomy.
The data generated identified many different genes that appear to affect bone mass. These included 23 genes that were already known but have not been characterized, five genes into which investigations have begun, five that have been studied extensively and three that are potential targets for osteoporosis drugs in development (and therefore undisclosed).
Editor’s comment: This publication is the first in a series of online developments to exploit and expand the results of private and public research using mouse mutagenesis programs. This paper reports the discovery of several novel genes related to the skeleton but the project has implications for skeletal biology and beyond.
Note from the editor: Bone Research is an independent online journal that is unrelated to BoneKey Reports and IBMS.
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