Table 3.

Genes identified from GWAS used to seed STRING network (see Figure 2).

Genes identified and reviewed were input into the STRING network. All genes included in the STRING network and a description of the genes are included.

	LAMB1	laminin, beta 1; Binding to cells via a high affinity receptor, laminin is thought to mediate the attachment, migration and organization of cells into tissues during embryonic development by interacting with other extracellular matrix components (1786 aa)
	SLC35D1	solute carrier family 35 (UDP-glucuronic acid/UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine dual transporter), member D1; Transports both UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) and UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine (UDP-GalNAc) from the cytoplasm to into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. Participates in glucuronidation and/or chondroitin sulfate biosynthesis (355 aa)
	COL10A1	collagen, type X, alpha 1; Type X collagen is a product of hypertrophic chondrocytes and has been localized to presumptive mineralization zones of hyaline cartilage (680 aa)
	LGALS3	lectin, galactoside-binding, soluble, 3; Mediates with the alpha-3, beta-1 integrin the stimulation by CSPG4 of endothelial cells migration. Together with DMBT1, required for terminal differentiation of columnar epithelial cells during early embryogenesis (250 aa)
	ACAN	aggrecan; This proteoglycan is a major component of extracellular matrix of cartilaginous tissues. A major function of this protein is to resist compression in cartilage. It binds avidly to hyaluronic acid via an N-terminal globular region (2416 aa)
	PTH2R	parathyroid hormone 2 receptor; This is a specific receptor for parathyroid hormone. The activity of this receptor is mediated by G proteins which activate adenylyl cyclase. PTH2R may be responsible for PTH effects in a number of physiological systems. (550 aa)
	FRZB	frizzled-related protein; Soluble frizzled-related proteins (sFRPS) function as modulators of Wnt signaling through direct interaction with Wnts. They have a role in regulating cell growth and differentiation in specific cell types. SFRP3/FRZB is involved in limb skeletogenesis. Antagonist of Wnt8 signaling. Regulates chondrocyte maturation and long bone development (325 aa)
	MMP3	matrix metallopeptidase 3 (stromelysin 1, progelatinase); Can degrade fibronectin, laminin, gelatins of type I, III, IV, and V; collagens III, IV, X, and IX, and cartilage proteoglycans. Activates procollagenase (477 aa)
	COL3A1	collagen, type III, alpha 1; Collagen type III occurs in most soft connective tissues along with type I collagen (1466 aa)
	UGDH	UDP-glucose dehydrogenase; Biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans; hyaluronan, chondroitin sulfate, and heparan sulfate (494 aa)
	PTH1R	parathyroid hormone 1 receptor; This is a receptor for parathyroid hormone and for parathyroid hormone-related peptide. The activity of this receptor is mediated by G proteins which activate adenylyl cyclase and also a phosphatidylinositol-calcium second messenger system (593 aa)
	COL27A1	collagen, type XXVII, alpha 1; Plays a role during the calcification of cartilage and the transition of cartilage to bone (1860 aa)
	HYAL2	hyaluronoglucosaminidase 2; Hydrolyzes high molecular weight hyaluronic acid to produce an intermediate-sized product which is further hydrolyzed by sperm hyaluronidase to give small oligosaccharides. Associates with and negatively regulates MST1R (473 aa)
	COL24A1	collagen, type XXIV, alpha 1; Participates in regulating type I collagen fibrillogenesis during fetal development (1714 aa)
	COL5A1	collagen, type V, alpha 1; Type V collagen is a member of group I collagen (fibrillar forming collagen). It is a minor connective tissue component of nearly ubiquitous distribution. Type V collagen binds to heparan sulfate, thrombospondin, heparin, and insulin (1838 aa)
	MATN1	matrillin 1, cartilage matrix protein; A major component of the extracellular matrix of cartilage. It binds to collagen (496 aa)
	COL5A2	collagen, type V, alpha 2; Type V collagen is a member of group I collagen (fibrillar forming collagen). It is a minor connective tissue component of nearly ubiquitous distribution. Type V collagen binds to heparan sulfate, thrombospondin, heparin, and insulin. Type V collagen is a key determinant in the assembly of tissue-specific matrices (1499 aa)