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Osteogenesis Imperfecta Essay

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Breaking a bone is an injury that some people experience maybe once or a few times throughout their life, but for the people who are diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, their lives are very different. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), otherwise known as brittle bone disease, is a genetic disorder that causes bones to break very easily with little to no apparent trauma. Dealing with broken bones often becomes the norm for people who are diagnosed with this condition. The severity between different types of OI can range from mild to very severe, causing death before or shortly after birth. Although OI is rare, the people diagnosed often have other associated health problems with their joints, skeletal structure, and dental health.1 OI affects …show more content…

Over 90 percent of osteogenesis imperfecta cases are caused by mutations in the COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes. These are the genes that provide instructions for making the proteins that are used to build type I collagen—the most abundant protein in bone, skin, and other connective tissues that provide strength, support, and structure to the body. Osteogenesis imperfecta type I is most often caused by mutations in the COL1A1 gene; specifically, genetic changes that reduce the production of type I collagen. This causes bones to be very brittle and fracture easily. As for OI types II, III, and IV, mutations in the COL1A1 and COL1A2 causes alterations in the structure of type I collagen molecules. This defect will weaken connective tissues, predominantly in bone, and result in the typical features of OI. The mutations in the CRTAP and P3H1 genes cause the rare and sometimes severe cases of osteogenesis imperfecta. CRTAP usually classifies type VII, and P3H1 classifies type VIII. The proteins that are produced by these genes work together to create the mature form of collagen molecules. The defects in these molecules lead to weakened connective tissues, which cause severe bone abnormalities and growth problems. Osteogenesis imperfecta types V and VII are found in people without identified mutations in their genes, making the cause of the disorder unknown. Researchers are continually working towards

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