Genetics of bones that break easily

Did you know we recycle our bones? We have one group of proteins that break down bone tissue. And one group that makes bone. We try to keep a balance. But, sometimes, we break down more bone than we make. Over time, this can cause diseases. Like osteoporosis. Or rheumatoid arthritis. We diagnose osteoporosis by how thick, or dense, your bones are. Bones contain calcium. And other minerals. They help make our bones strong. When we do not make enough new bone, our bones have less minerals. Doctors call this “low bone mineral density” or low BMD. This makes our bones fragile. They may break easily. Scientists think that gene changes may play a part. We have genes that make the proteins that make bones. Other genes make the proteins that break down bones. Certain gene changes can cause proteins not to work well. Or not at all. Or they may affect the on/off switch for a gene. If we do not turn on the gene, it will not make any protein. If we do not turn it off when we should, it will make too much. Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center will use BioVU to study BMD. They will look for people who do and do not have problems with BMD. Then they will look for changes in certain genes in both groups. They think there may be a problem with the on/off switch for some genes. If there is, it would throw off the balance. We may break down more bone than we make. The goal is to find out more about genes that affect BMD. Who will have problems with their bones? And who may be at risk. Their results may help us better diagnose bone diseases. They may also help us better treat them.