Source

Rabbit

Reactivity

Human

Background

RANK is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor subfamily that is activated by its ligand, RANKL, to promote survival of dendritic cells and differentiation of osteoclasts. Although RANK is widely expressed, its cell surface expression may be more restricted to dendritic cells and foreskin fibroblasts. RANK contains a 383-amino acid intracellular domain that associates with specific members of the TRAF family to NF-κB and JNK activation. RANKL/RANK signaling may also lead to survival signaling through activation of the Akt pathway and an upregulation of survival proteins, including Bcl-xL. RANK signaling has been implicated as a potential therapeutic to inhibit bone loss and arthritis.RANKL, also named TNF-related activation-induced cytokine, osteoprotegerin ligand, osteoclast differentiation factor, and TNFSF11, is a type II transmembrane protein of the TNF family that exists as both a membrane-bound and soluble form. It is an essential regulator of immune function and bone development and homeostasis. RANKL is predominately expressed in activated T cells, as well as the thymus, lymph node, and bone marrow and promotes dendritic cell survival. Deletion of RANKL in mice leads to severe osteoporosis with a loss of osteoclasts, defects in T and B cell differentiation, loss of lymph node development, and mammary gland development during pregnancy.

References

[1] Anderson, D.M. et al. (1997) Nature 390, 175-9.
[2] Wong, B.R. et al. (1997) J. Exp. Med. 186, 2075-80.
[3] Lacey, D.L. et al. (1998) Cell 93, 165-76.
[4] Yasuda, H. et al. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95, 3597-602.
[5] Darnay, B.G. et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 20551-5.
[6] Wong, B.R. et al. (1999) Mol. Cell 4, 1041-9.
[7] Walsh, M.C. and Choi, Y. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 14, 251-63.
[8] Nakashima, T. et al. (2003) Curr. Opin. Rheumatol. 15, 280-7.
[9] Wong, B.R. et al. (1997) J Biol Chem 272, 25190-4.
[10] Hofbauer, L.C. (1999) Eur J Endocrinol 141, 195-210.

Raw materials

Preparation Products