Premium
Genetically Modified Animal Models as Tools for Studying Bone and Mineral Metabolism
Author(s) -
Davey Rachel A,
MacLean Helen E,
McManus Julie F,
Findlay David M,
Zajac Jeffrey D
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of bone and mineral research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.882
H-Index - 241
eISSN - 1523-4681
pISSN - 0884-0431
DOI - 10.1359/jbmr.040206
Subject(s) - computational biology , gene , biology , bone remodeling , gene knockout , function (biology) , genetically modified organism , bone development , animal model , genetic model , bioinformatics , genetics , endocrinology
Genetic modification of mice is a powerful tool for the study of bone development and metabolism. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches used in bone‐related research and the contributions these studies have made to bone biology. Genetic modification of mice is a powerful tool for the study of bone development and metabolism. This review discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches used in bone‐related research and the contributions these studies have made to bone biology. The approaches to genetic modification included in this review are (1) overexpression of genes, (2) global gene knockouts, (3) tissue‐specific gene deletion, and (4) gene knock‐in models. This review also highlights issues that should be considered when using genetically modified animal models, including the rigorous control of genetic background, use of appropriate control lines, and confirmation of tissue specificity of gene expression where appropriate. This technology provides a unique and powerful way to probe the function of genes and is already revolutionizing our approach to understanding the physiology of bone development and metabolism.