PTHRP-BASED PREDICTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF BONE DISEASE

摘要

The invention provides a method of diagnosing bone disease and/or a susceptibility thereto, in an individual. The method includes screening a biological sample obtained from the individual for one or more genetic indicators of bone disease in said PTHrP gene of the individual, and diagnosing the individual based on a characterization of the genetic indictor(s) detected. A genetic indicator of the invention preferably includ es a genetic segment of a PTHrP gene. More preferably, a genetic segment of a PTHrP gene includes a VNTR containing region. The invention further provides a transgenic non-human mammal for the study of bone disease and/or bone conditions, the mammal having a disruption or inactivation of a PTHrP gene o r portion thereof specifically in osteoblast cells.