Bone Abstracts

Mutations in the PHEX gene cause X-linked familial hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) with severe bone (osteomalacia) and tooth abnormalities being the distinguishing features of this disease. The PHEX mutations lead to an increase in ASARM peptides (acidic serine- and aspartate-rich motif) and osteopontin fragments which inhibit bone extracellular matrix mineralization. MEPE-derived ASARM has been shown to accumulate in tooth dentin of patients with XLH where it may impair dentin...