[Searches for the genes determining bone mineral density with gene polymorphisms].

The genes determining bone mineral density have been searched by association and linkage studies using gene polymorphisms. Candidate gene approaches as well as genome-wide studies with single nucleotide polymorphisms have produced many products. In addition, rare mutations causing monogenic hereditary bone diseases gave novel aspects for the genes contributing the variation in bone mineral density. Furthermore, studies of functional SNPs would explain the variation in bone mineral density and basic pathophysiology of osteoporosis.