A variant in a gene called FRZB may increase the risk of osteoarthritis in women.Researchers analyzed DNA from pairs of siblings diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) and found that a single nucleotide change in FRZB correlated strongly with OA in women.This gene codes for a protein that regulates a signaling pathway that’s critical in skeletal and joint development. The protein produced by the variant version of FRZB can’t perform the duties of the normal protein, the researchers said.This variant version of FRZB may disrupt proper development of joint cartilage and/or bone, making women with the variant more susceptible to OA in the hip, the researchers suggested.Early identification of this gene variant may help in prevention, treatment and development of future treatments for OA.The study will be published this week in the online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
