Мутации рецептора к мелатонину назвали причиной идиопатического остеопороза from

Mutations in melatonin receptor linked to idiopathic osteoporosis

Key findings

Mutations in the melatonin receptor gene (MTNR1B) have been linked to idiopathic osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones.
The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, is the first to identify a genetic cause for idiopathic osteoporosis.
The findings could lead to new treatments for the condition.

Idiopathic osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle. It is a major public health problem, affecting an estimated 10 million people in the United States. The most common type of osteoporosis is idiopathic osteoporosis, which has no known cause.

Melatonin receptor

The melatonin receptor is a protein that binds to melatonin, a hormone that is produced by the pineal gland. Melatonin is involved in a variety of physiological processes, including sleep regulation and bone metabolism.

Study results

The study included 1,000 people with idiopathic osteoporosis and 1,000 people without the condition. The researchers sequenced the MTNR1B gene in all of the participants and found that people with idiopathic osteoporosis were more likely to have mutations in the gene. The researchers also found that the mutations in the MTNR1B gene were associated with lower levels of melatonin in the blood. This suggests that the mutations may lead to idiopathic osteoporosis by reducing melatonin levels.

Conclusion

The study findings suggest that mutations in the MTNR1B gene are a cause of idiopathic osteoporosis. This is the first time that a genetic cause for the condition has been identified. The findings could lead to new treatments for idiopathic osteoporosis.