Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41261143›Full record

ArticleCommunications biology2025

Identification of novel vertebral development factors through UK Biobank candidate gene search and body imaging analysis.

Zhuopin Sun, Jiru Han, Liam G Fearnley, Edwina McGlinn, Melanie Bahlo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Communications biology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Zhuopin Sun *Genetics and Gene Regulation, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Jiru Han *Genetics and Gene Regulation, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Liam G FearnleyGenetics and Gene Regulation, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
Edwina McGlinnAustralian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1829-986X
Melanie BahloGenetics and Gene Regulation, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia. bahlo@wehi.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5132-0774

Funding

Department of Health | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) GNT1195236
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Numerical variations and transitional anatomy in the human vertebral column represent a significant yet understudied aspect of skeletal development with potential effects on multiple physiological systems. Utilising UK Biobank data, we integrated genetic analysis with deep learning-based multi-modal body imaging to investigate genetic factors associated with thoracic and lumbar spine anatomy. We identified three key genes, GPC3, NR6A1, and VRTN, associated with numerical variations of the lumbar vertebrae and ribs, with VRTN reported for the first time in humans as influencing vertebral development. Our findings reveal significant associations between these genetic variants, vertebral and rib anomalies, and increased prevalence of chronic pain. This study highlights the genetic underpinnings of vertebral development and demonstrates the utility of combining imaging and genetic data to uncover skeletal variation and its health implications for population health.

Indexed as

Lumbar VertebraeSpineAdultAgedBiological Specimen BanksFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRibsUK BiobankUnited Kingdom

Identifiers

PMID41261143
PMCPMC12630705

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.