FGF2 transgenic mice were developed in which type I collagen regulatory sequences drive the nuclear high molecular weight FGF2 isoforms in osteoblasts (TgHMW). The phenotype of TgHMW mice included dwarfism, decreased bone mineral density (BMD), osteomalacia, and decreased serum phosphate (P i ). When TgHMW mice were fed a high P i diet, BMD was increased, and dwarfism was partially reversed. The TgHMW phenotype was similar to mice overexpressing FGF23. Serum FGF23 was increased in TgHMW mice. Fgf23 mRNA in bones and fibroblast growth factor receptors 1c and 3c and Klotho mRNAs in kidneys were increased in TgHMW mice, whereas the renal Na shown that FGF23 is the phosphaturic factor (5) responsible for autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (6) and tumorinduced osteomalacia (7). FGF23 also mediates phosphatewasting disorders, such as X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets/ osteomalacia, the most common cause of vitamin D-resistant rickets (5). Loss of function mutations in PHEX, a phosphateregulatory gene with homology to endopeptidases on the X-chromosome, have been identified in X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia (8); however, the mechanism by which this elevates FGF23 levels remains unclear. Autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia, caused by loss of function mutations in DMP1 (dentin matrix protein), is also associated with increased FGF23 (9). Increased FGF23 may occur in McCune-Albright syndrome due to a somatic gain of function mutation in GNAS1 arising during embryogenesis, characterized by chimeric distribution of hyperpigmented skin lesions, fibrous dysplasia of bone, and, often, hypophosphatemia (5). Murine models of this group of disorders include the FGF23 transgenic mouse, a model of autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (10); the Hyp mouse, a homologue of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia with a Phex deletion (11); and the Dmp1 null mouse, a model of autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia (12). These murine homologues demonstrate many of the phenotypic changes of the human disorders, including elevated serum FGF23.Another FGF ligand, FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor-2) is widely expressed and is a mitogen for many cell types, including osteoblasts and chondrocytes (1,13,14). The FGF2 gene encodes multiple FGF2 high molecular weight (HMW) protein isoforms expressed from unique CUG alternative translation start sites located 5Ј to the classical AUG initiation codon for the 18-kDa low molecular weight (LMW) exported isoform (1,