Gene expression analyses for osteoporosis research

Summary

Gene expression describes the process of converting the information encoded in the genome into functional gene products like proteins or functional RNAs in the case of non coding RNA genes. Gene expression analysis seeks to identify those genes that are expressed and the level at which they are expressed under certain circumstances. As changes of gene expression are associated with both physiological and pathological processes, gene expression analysis provides a powerful tool to understand the molecular basis of biological processes like cellular differentiation, aging or adaptive responses to the environment and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis of complex diseases. In the field of osteology, gene expression analysis has contributed substantially to novel insights into fundamental processes like osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation, bone formation and mineralization, and to novel insights into molecular changes occurring in complex diseases such as osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis. This review is aimed at giving an overview on the different techniques available to quantify gene expression and its application in osteoporosis research.

Zusammenfassung

Genexpression bezeichnet die Umsetzung der im Genom gespeicherten Information in Proteine oder – im Fall von nicht kodierenden RNA-Genen – in funktionale RNAs. Ziel der Genexpressionsanalytik ist es, zu untersuchen, welche Gene in welchem Ausmaß unter bestimmten Umständen exprimiert werden. Änderungen im Expressionsmuster sind sowohl mit physiologischen als auch mit pathologischen Prozessen verknüpft. Diese Änderungen mit Hilfe der Genexpressionsanalytik zu untersuchen, hilft uns daher, die molekulare Basis von biologischen Prozessen wie der Zelldifferenzierung, dem Alterungsprozess oder von Anpassungen an unterschiedliche Bedingungen, aber auch die molekulare Basis von komplexen Krankheiten, zu verstehen. Im Bereich der Osteologie hat die Genexpressionsanalytik wesentlich dazu beigetragen, neue Einsichten in grundlegende Prozesse wie die Osteoblasten- und Osteoklasten-Differenzierung oder die Knochenformation und Knochenmineralisation und in die molekularen Veränderungen, die mit komplexen Krankheiten wie der Osteoporose oder der rheumatoiden Arthritis einhergehen, zu gewinnen. Diese Arbeit soll eine Übersicht über die verschiedenen in der Genexpressionsanalytik verwendeten Methoden und deren Anwendung im Bereich der Osteoporoseforschung geben.

Keywords

Gene expression analysis - Microarray - qPCR - Osteoporosis

Schlüsselwörter

Genexpressionsanalyse - Microarray - qPCR - Osteoporose

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