Osteogenesis imperfecta type XVIII (OI type XVIII; OMIM 617952) is a severe autosomal recessive brittle bone disease caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in TENT5A (terminal nucleotidyltransferase 5A; previously named FAM46A). TENT5A is a non-canonical cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase that is induced during osteoblast differentiation and polyadenylates mRNAs encoding type I collagen (Col1a1, Col1a2) and other secreted bone extracellular-matrix proteins, thereby stabilizing those transcripts and increasing their expression. Biallelic TENT5A loss removes this post-transcriptional support, destabilizing the osteoblast secretome mRNAs and reducing production of bone matrix proteins, including type I collagen. The resulting quantitative and qualitative collagen defect yields a defective, hypomineralized bone matrix and skeletal fragility, clinically manifesting as congenital bowing of the long bones, recurrent fractures, vertebral collapse, blue sclerae, wormian bones, and bone deformity in the first years of life. The disorder was defined in consanguineous human kindreds (Doyard et al., 2018) and is recapitulated by the Tent5a-knockout mouse, which displays bone fragility and skeletal hypomineralization from quantitative and qualitative collagen defects.
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name: Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type XVIII
creation_date: "2026-06-30T00:00:00Z"
category: Mendelian
disease_term:
preferred_term: Osteogenesis imperfecta type 18
term:
id: MONDO:0044329
label: osteogenesis imperfecta, type 18
description: >-
Osteogenesis imperfecta type XVIII (OI type XVIII; OMIM 617952) is a severe
autosomal recessive brittle bone disease caused by biallelic loss-of-function
variants in TENT5A (terminal nucleotidyltransferase 5A; previously named
FAM46A). TENT5A is a non-canonical cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase that is
induced during osteoblast differentiation and polyadenylates mRNAs encoding
type I collagen (Col1a1, Col1a2) and other secreted bone extracellular-matrix
proteins, thereby stabilizing those transcripts and increasing their
expression. Biallelic TENT5A loss removes this post-transcriptional support,
destabilizing the osteoblast secretome mRNAs and reducing production of bone
matrix proteins, including type I collagen. The resulting quantitative and
qualitative collagen defect yields a defective, hypomineralized bone matrix
and skeletal fragility, clinically manifesting as congenital bowing of the
long bones, recurrent fractures, vertebral collapse, blue sclerae, wormian
bones, and bone deformity in the first years of life. The disorder was defined
in consanguineous human kindreds (Doyard et al., 2018) and is recapitulated by
the Tent5a-knockout mouse, which displays bone fragility and skeletal
hypomineralization from quantitative and qualitative collagen defects.
parents:
- Osteogenesis imperfecta
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal Recessive
description: >-
Autosomal recessive inheritance from biallelic (homozygous) loss-of-function
TENT5A (FAM46A) variants; heterozygous carriers are clinically unaffected.
inheritance_term:
preferred_term: Autosomal recessive inheritance
term:
id: HP:0000007
label: Autosomal recessive inheritance
evidence:
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
We conclude that FAM46A mutations are responsible for a severe form of OI
with congenital bowing of the lower limbs
explanation: >-
Establishes that biallelic FAM46A (TENT5A) mutations cause autosomal
recessive OI (type XVIII).
classifications:
isds_skeletal_category:
- classification_value: osteogenesis_imperfecta_and_decreased_bone_density
notes: >-
ISDS Nosology and Classification of Genetic Skeletal Disorders, 2019
revision (Mortier et al., PMID:31633310), Table 1 group 25 "Osteogenesis
Imperfecta and decreased bone density group"; this entry corresponds to the
phenotypic osteogenesis imperfecta entries (OI types 1-5), which the
nosology lists by clinical severity rather than by the gene-numbered OI type
used for this entry.
pathophysiology:
- name: TENT5A (FAM46A) Loss Eliminates Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation of Osteoblast ECM mRNAs
description: >-
TENT5A (terminal nucleotidyltransferase 5A, previously FAM46A) is a
non-canonical cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase that is induced during
osteoblast differentiation and polyadenylates mRNAs encoding type I collagen
(Col1a1, Col1a2) and other secreted proteins involved in osteogenesis,
stabilizing them and increasing their expression. FAM46A/TENT5A is
specifically expressed in human osteoblasts. Biallelic loss-of-function
TENT5A variants eliminate this cytoplasmic polyadenylation activity, the
proximal molecular lesion of the disorder.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: osteoblast
term:
id: CL:0000062
label: osteoblast
- preferred_term: fibroblast
term:
id: CL:0000057
label: fibroblast
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: cytoplasmic polyadenylation of secretome mRNAs (mRNA stabilization)
term:
id: GO:0048255
label: mRNA stabilization
modifier: DECREASED
evidence:
- reference: PMID:33882302
reference_title: "Cytoplasmic polyadenylation by TENT5A is required for proper bone formation."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
TENT5A, whose mutations were found in congenital bone disease osteogenesis
imperfecta patients, is a cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase playing a crucial
role in regulating bone mineralization.
explanation: >-
Identifies TENT5A as the cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase whose loss causes
OI, the proximal lesion of type XVIII.
- reference: PMID:33882302
reference_title: "Cytoplasmic polyadenylation by TENT5A is required for proper bone formation."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
TENT5A is induced during osteoblast differentiation and polyadenylates
mRNAs encoding Col1α1, Col1α2, and other secreted proteins involved in
osteogenesis, increasing their expression.
explanation: >-
Documents the molecular function lost in OI type XVIII: TENT5A
polyadenylates collagen and secretome mRNAs in differentiating osteoblasts
to increase their expression.
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
By RT-PCR analysis, we detected specific expression of FAM46A in human
osteoblasts
explanation: >-
Documents osteoblast-specific expression of FAM46A/TENT5A, consistent with
its osteoblast-restricted role in bone matrix mRNA regulation.
downstream:
- target: Destabilized Collagen/ECM Transcripts and Reduced Bone Matrix Protein Output
description: >-
Without TENT5A-dependent cytoplasmic polyadenylation, the collagen and
secreted-matrix mRNAs are no longer stabilized, so production of type I
collagen and other bone matrix proteins falls.
- name: Destabilized Collagen/ECM Transcripts and Reduced Bone Matrix Protein Output
description: >-
Loss of TENT5A cytoplasmic polyadenylation removes the post-transcriptional
support for osteoblast secretome transcripts, reducing expression of type I
collagen (Col1a1, Col1a2) and other matrix proteins. The result is a
quantitative and qualitative deficit in collagen and bone matrix protein
output by osteoblasts, the post-transcriptional counterpart of the collagen
defects seen in classical (COL1A1/COL1A2) OI.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: osteoblast
term:
id: CL:0000062
label: osteoblast
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: collagen biosynthetic process
term:
id: GO:0032964
label: collagen biosynthetic process
modifier: DECREASED
- preferred_term: regulation of mRNA stability (collagen/secretome transcripts)
term:
id: GO:0043488
label: regulation of mRNA stability
modifier: ABNORMAL
evidence:
- reference: PMID:33882302
reference_title: "Cytoplasmic polyadenylation by TENT5A is required for proper bone formation."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
the Tent5a knockout (KO) mouse line displays bone fragility and skeletal
hypomineralization phenotype resulting from quantitative and qualitative
collagen defects.
explanation: >-
Links loss of TENT5A polyadenylation to quantitative and qualitative
collagen defects in osteoblasts, the matrix-protein deficit underlying OI
type XVIII.
- reference: PMID:33882302
reference_title: "Cytoplasmic polyadenylation by TENT5A is required for proper bone formation."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
Osteoblasts orchestrate bone formation through the secretion of type I
collagen and other constituents of the matrix on which hydroxyapatite
crystals mineralize.
explanation: >-
Establishes that osteoblast secretion of type I collagen and matrix
proteins is the function impaired when TENT5A-stabilized transcripts are
lost.
downstream:
- target: Defective Hypomineralized Bone Matrix and Skeletal Fragility
description: >-
Reduced and qualitatively abnormal collagen yields a defective bone
extracellular matrix that fails to mineralize normally, producing skeletal
fragility.
- name: Defective Hypomineralized Bone Matrix and Skeletal Fragility
description: >-
The quantitative and qualitative collagen deficit yields a defective bone
extracellular matrix with impaired (hypo)mineralization and reduced
mechanical strength. Clinically this manifests as congenital bowing of the
long bones, recurrent fractures, vertebral collapse, reduced bone mineral
density, and bone deformity in the first years of life.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: osteoblast
term:
id: CL:0000062
label: osteoblast
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: bone mineralization
term:
id: GO:0030282
label: bone mineralization
modifier: DECREASED
- preferred_term: ossification
term:
id: GO:0001503
label: ossification
modifier: ABNORMAL
evidence:
- reference: PMID:33882302
reference_title: "Cytoplasmic polyadenylation by TENT5A is required for proper bone formation."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
the Tent5a knockout (KO) mouse line displays bone fragility and skeletal
hypomineralization phenotype resulting from quantitative and qualitative
collagen defects.
explanation: >-
Demonstrates that TENT5A loss produces bone fragility and skeletal
hypomineralization, the bone-matrix endpoint of OI type XVIII.
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
a nonsense mutation in Fam46a has been recently identified in an
ENU-derived (N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea) mouse model characterised by decreased
body length, limb, rib, pelvis, and skull deformities and reduced cortical
thickness in long bones.
explanation: >-
An independent Fam46a mutant mouse recapitulates skeletal deformity and
reduced cortical bone, supporting the defective-bone-matrix endpoint.
genetic:
- name: TENT5A (FAM46A) Loss-of-Function Mutations
association: Causative
gene_term:
preferred_term: TENT5A (terminal nucleotidyltransferase 5A; cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase)
term:
id: hgnc:18345
label: TENT5A
notes: >-
OI type XVIII is caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in TENT5A.
The gene was previously named FAM46A (family with sequence similarity 46
member A) and is the symbol used in the original disease-gene report.
Reported alleles include a frameshift (p.Ser205Tyrfs*13) and homozygous
missense variants classed as deleterious (p.His127Arg in two affected sibs;
p.Asp231Gly in a type III OI patient of consanguineous parents). TENT5A is a
member of the nucleotidyltransferase fold superfamily.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
We identified a homozygous deleterious variant in FAM46A in two affected
sibs with typical OI
explanation: >-
Documents a causative homozygous FAM46A (TENT5A) variant segregating with
OI, defining the disease gene for type XVIII.
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
FAM46A is a member of the superfamily of nucleotidyltransferase fold
proteins
explanation: >-
Classifies FAM46A/TENT5A as a nucleotidyltransferase-fold protein,
consistent with its later-defined poly(A) polymerase activity.
phenotypes:
- name: Recurrent Fractures
description: >-
Severe bone fragility with multiple fractures, occurring in the first years
of life, a cardinal feature of OI type XVIII.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Recurrent fractures
term:
id: HP:0002757
label: Recurrent fractures
evidence:
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Survivors develop progressive scoliosis and spontaneous fractures.
explanation: >-
Documents spontaneous fractures in the clinical spectrum of patients,
consistent with the bone fragility of OI type XVIII.
- name: Congenital Bowing of the Long Bones
description: >-
Congenital bowing and deformity of the long bones (notably the lower limbs)
is a hallmark presenting feature of OI type XVIII, reflecting the fragile,
deformable bone matrix.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Bowing of the long bones
term:
id: HP:0006487
label: Bowing of the long bones
evidence:
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
We conclude that FAM46A mutations are responsible for a severe form of OI
with congenital bowing of the lower limbs
explanation: >-
Documents congenital long-bone (lower-limb) bowing as a defining feature
of FAM46A/TENT5A OI type XVIII.
- name: Reduced Bone Mineral Density
description: >-
Skeletal hypomineralization with reduced bone mineral density, reflecting
the defective, collagen-deficient bone matrix.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Reduced bone mineral density
term:
id: HP:0004349
label: Reduced bone mineral density
evidence:
- reference: PMID:33882302
reference_title: "Cytoplasmic polyadenylation by TENT5A is required for proper bone formation."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
the Tent5a knockout (KO) mouse line displays bone fragility and skeletal
hypomineralization phenotype resulting from quantitative and qualitative
collagen defects.
explanation: >-
The Tent5a-null mouse shows skeletal hypomineralization, the model
correlate of reduced bone mineral density in OI type XVIII. Human reduced
bone density is also implied by the vertebral collapses reported in
patients.
- name: Growth Deficiency
description: >-
Growth deficiency with decreased body length, part of the severe skeletal
phenotype; the Fam46a mutant mouse shows decreased body length.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Growth delay
term:
id: HP:0001510
label: Growth delay
evidence:
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
an ENU-derived (N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea) mouse model characterised by
decreased body length, limb, rib, pelvis, and skull deformities
explanation: >-
The Fam46a mutant mouse shows decreased body length (growth deficiency),
a model correlate of the growth phenotype in OI type XVIII.
- name: Vertebral Collapse
description: >-
Vertebral body collapse develops in OI type XVIII, reflecting the fragile,
low-density axial skeleton, and was part of the clinical picture that
established the OI diagnosis in the index FAM46A case.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Vertebral compression fracture
term:
id: HP:0002953
label: Vertebral compression fracture
evidence:
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
The follow-up of this case supported a final diagnosis of osteogenesis
imperfecta (OI), based on vertebral collapses and blue sclerae.
explanation: >-
Documents vertebral collapses (compression) as a feature establishing the
OI diagnosis in FAM46A/TENT5A disease.
- name: Blue Sclerae
description: >-
Blue sclerae, a classic extraskeletal hallmark of osteogenesis imperfecta,
are documented in TENT5A (FAM46A) disease and were part of the clinical
picture that established the OI diagnosis in the index FAM46A case.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Blue sclerae
term:
id: HP:0000592
label: Blue sclerae
evidence:
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
The follow-up of this case supported a final diagnosis of osteogenesis
imperfecta (OI), based on vertebral collapses and blue sclerae.
explanation: >-
Documents blue sclerae as a defining clinical feature that, together with
vertebral collapses, established the OI diagnosis in the index
FAM46A/TENT5A (type XVIII) case.
diagnosis:
- name: Molecular Genetic Diagnosis
description: >-
OI type XVIII is suspected in an infant with severe recessive OI (congenital
long-bone bowing, recurrent fractures, vertebral collapse, blue sclerae,
wormian bones) when COL1A1/COL1A2 and other known OI genes are negative.
Diagnosis is confirmed by identifying a biallelic TENT5A (FAM46A)
loss-of-function variant by gene-panel or exome sequencing; screening of
FAM46A/TENT5A is recommended in unexplained OI forms.
diagnosis_term:
preferred_term: molecular genetic testing
term:
id: NCIT:C19770
label: Molecular Analysis
evidence:
- reference: PMID:29358272
reference_title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
suggest screening this gene in unexplained OI forms.
explanation: >-
Recommends molecular screening of FAM46A/TENT5A to diagnose this form of
OI in otherwise unexplained cases.
treatments:
- name: Bisphosphonate Therapy
description: >-
Intravenous bisphosphonates (e.g., pamidronate, zoledronic acid) are the
pharmacological mainstay of severe OI, increasing bone mineral density and
reducing fracture frequency. They are antiresorptive and do not correct the
underlying post-transcriptional collagen defect.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: Bisphosphonate Therapy
term:
id: NCIT:C198585
label: Bisphosphonate Therapy
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301472
reference_title: "COL1A1- and COL1A2-Related Osteogenesis Imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Bisphosphonates continue to be used most extensively in those with
vertebral fractures, frequent long bone fractures, or more severe OI.
explanation: >-
GeneReviews documents bisphosphonates as the mainstay pharmacotherapy for
severe OI, the management category that applies to OI type XVIII.
- name: Orthopedic Surgery and Intramedullary Rodding
description: >-
Intramedullary (telescoping) rod fixation and corrective osteotomy stabilize
fracture-prone, bowed long bones; spinal surgery addresses progressive
scoliosis.
therapeutic_modality: SURGERY
treatment_term:
preferred_term: surgical procedure
term:
id: NCIT:C15329
label: Surgical Procedure
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301472
reference_title: "COL1A1- and COL1A2-Related Osteogenesis Imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
intramedullary rodding when
indicated to provide anatomic positioning of limbs
explanation: >-
GeneReviews documents intramedullary rodding as standard orthopedic
management for OI long-bone fractures and deformity.
- name: Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
description: >-
Physical and occupational therapy improve mobility and muscle strength and
reduce fracture risk; early physical therapy follows brief post-fracture
immobilization.
therapeutic_modality: BEHAVIORAL
treatment_term:
preferred_term: physical therapy
term:
id: NCIT:C15302
label: Physical Therapy
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301472
reference_title: "COL1A1- and COL1A2-Related Osteogenesis Imperfecta."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Fractures are treated with as
short a period of immobility as is practical, small and lightweight casts, and
physical therapy as soon as casts are removed
explanation: >-
GeneReviews documents early physical therapy and brief immobilization as
part of standard OI fracture rehabilitation.
datasets: []
references:
- reference: PMID:29358272
title: "FAM46A mutations are responsible for autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta."
- reference: PMID:33882302
title: "Cytoplasmic polyadenylation by TENT5A is required for proper bone formation."
- reference: PMID:20301472
title: "COL1A1- and COL1A2-Related Osteogenesis Imperfecta."
tags:
- GeneReviews