title: Genome-wide approaches for identifying genetic risk factors for osteoporosis.
abstract: Osteoporosis, the most common type of bone disease worldwide, is clinically characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased susceptibility to fracture. Multiple genetic and environmental factors and gene-environment interactions have been implicated in its pathogenesis. Osteoporosis has strong genetic determination, with the heritability of BMD estimated to be as high as 60%. More than 80 genes or genetic variants have been implicated in risk of osteoporosis by hypothesis-free genome-wide studies. However, these genes or genetic variants can only explain a small portion of BMD variation, suggesting that many other genes or genetic variants underlying osteoporosis risk await discovery. Here, we review recent progress in genome-wide studies of osteoporosis and discuss their implications for medicine and the major challenges in the field.
authors.affiliation: The Center for System Biomedical Research, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No. 516 Jungong Rd, Yangpu district, Shanghai, 200093, China.
authors.forename: Shuyan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Center for Bioinformatics and Genomics, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Yongjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: The Center for System Biomedical Research, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No. 516 Jungong Rd, Yangpu district, Shanghai, 200093, China ; Center for Bioinformatics and Genomics, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: The Center for System Biomedical Research, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No. 516 Jungong Rd, Yangpu district, Shanghai, 200093, China.
authors.forename: Yingying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: The Center for System Biomedical Research, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No. 516 Jungong Rd, Yangpu district, Shanghai, 200093, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: The Center for System Biomedical Research, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, No. 516 Jungong Rd, Yangpu district, Shanghai, 200093, China ; Center for Bioinformatics and Genomics, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Hong-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Deng