Recent progress in the genetics of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a complex multifactorial disease, determined by genetic and environmental factors as well as their interactions. Extensive efforts have been made to identify the genetic determinants of osteoporosis. Studies using multiple approaches, including linkage analysis, association analysis, functional genomic analysis, as well as genetic and functional studies in animal models, have greatly advanced our understanding of the genetic basis of osteoporosis. This review summarizes recently published important and representative molecular genetics studies of gene identification for osteoporosis. Evidence from candidate gene association studies and genomewide linkage studies in humans as well as quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in animal models are reviewed separately. We also summarize the recent progress of functional genomic studies (includingDNA microarrays and proteomics) on osteogenesis and osteoporosis in light of the rapid advances and promising prospects of this field.