High-throughput screening of mouse gene knockouts identifies established and novel skeletal phenotypes

Screening gene function in vivo is a powerful approach to discover novel drug targets. We present high-throughput screening （HTS） data for 3 762 distinct global gene knockout （KO） mouse lines with viable adult homozygous mice generated using either gene-trap or homologous recombination technologies. Bone mass was determined from DEXA scans of male and female mice at 14 weeks of age and by microCT analyses of bones from male mice at 16 weeks of age. Wild-type （WT） cagemates/littermates were examined for each gene KO. Lethality was observed in an additional 850 KO lines. Since primary HTS are susceptible to false positive findings, additional cohorts of mice from KO lines with intriguing HTS bone data were examined. Aging, ovariectomy, histomorphometry and bone strength studies were performed and possible non-skeletal phenotypes were explored. Together, these screens identified multiple genes affecting bone mass： 23 previously reported genes （Calcr, Cebpb, Crtap, Dcstamp, Dkkl, Duoxa2, Enppl, Fgf23, Kissl/Kisslr, Kl （Klotho）, Lrp5, Mstn, Neol, Npr2, Ostml, Postn, Sfrp4, S1c30a5, Sic39a13, Sost, Sumf1, Src, Wnt10b）, five novel genes extensively characterized （Cldn18, Fam20c, Lrrkl, Sgpll, Wnt16）, five novel genes with preliminary characterization （Agpat2, RassfS, Slc10a7, Stc26a7, Slc30a10） and three novel undisclosed genes coding for potential osteoporosis drug targets.

NOTUM inhibition increases endocortical bone formation and bone strength

The disability,mortality and costs caused by non-vertebral osteoporotic fractures are enormous.Existing osteoporosis therapies are highly effective at reducing vertebral but not non-vertebral fractures.Cortical bone is a major determinant of non-vertebral bone strength.To identify novel osteoporosis drug targets,we phenotyped cortical bone of 3 366 viable mouse strains with global knockouts of druggable genes.Cortical bone thickness was substantially elevated in Notum?/?mice.NOTUM is a secreted WNT lipase and we observed high NOTUM expression in cortical bone and osteoblasts but not osteoclasts.Three orally active small molecules and a neutralizing antibody inhibiting NOTUM lipase activity were developed.They increased cortical bone thickness and strength at multiple skeletal sites in both gonadal intact and ovariectomized rodents by stimulating endocortical bone formation.Thus,inhibition of NOTUM activity is a potential novel anabolic therapy for strengthening cortical bone and preventing non-vertebral fractures.