RANKL (RANK Ligand) Proteins

Protein Information

This gene encodes a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) cytokine family which is a ligand for osteoprotegerin and functions as a key factor for osteoclast differentiation and activation. This protein was shown to be a dentritic cell survival factor and is involved in the regulation of T cell-dependent immune response. T cell activation was reported to induce expression of this gene and lead to an increase of osteoclastogenesis and bone loss. This protein was shown to activate antiapoptotic kinase AKT/PKB through a signaling complex involving SRC kinase and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6, which indicated this protein may have a role in the regulation of cell apoptosis. Targeted disruption of the related gene in mice led to severe osteopetrosis and a lack of osteoclasts. The deficient mice exhibited defects in early differentiation of T and B lymphocytes, and failed to form lobulo-alveolar mammary structures during pregnancy. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found.

Synonyms

CD254; H-RANK-L; hRANKL2; Ly109l; M-Rank-L; ODF; OPG; OPG ligand; OPGL; OPTB2; Osteoclast differentiation factor; osteoprotegerin ligand; Rankl; rank-l; receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand; receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand; receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand; RP11-86N24.2; sOdf; srankl; TNF-related activation-induced cytokine; Tnfsf11; TNLG6B; Trance; tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily member 11; tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 11; tumor necrosis factor ligand 6B; tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11; Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11, membrane form; Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11, soluble form; tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 11; tumor necrosis factor-related activation-induced cytokine