ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 28, 1991                   TAG: 9102280521
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A/2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: PHILADELPHIA                                LENGTH: Short

BONE-GROWTH GENES MAY LEAD TO CURES

Researchers reported they have pinpointed some of the genes responsible for bone formation, an important step toward discovering the causes of bone disease.

The work may help lead to treatments for bone diseases like osteoporosis, the scientists reported in the February issue of the medical journal Genomics.

Dr. Frederick Kaplan of the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Michael Zasloff of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said their team pinpointed three of the seven known genes responsible for instructing the proteins that determine how bone forms, develops and heals.

Eventually, the proteins might be used to develop treatment that could form bone when and where needed or to prevent its uncontrolled growth, they said. - Associated Press 


 by CNB