Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa B Ligand Simoa

Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa B Ligand (RANKL) is a type II membrane protein that bears a close homology to tumor necrosis superfamily members: TRAIL, FasL, and TNF-a. It is produced by a variety of cells and tissues, but highly in T lymphocytes, osteoblasts, osteocytes, lungs, thymus, and lymph nodes. Several factors regulate RANKL expression, including glucocorticoids, Vitamin D3, IL-1, TNF-a, TGF-?, Wnt ligands, and LPS. RANKL has both a membrane bound form and a soluble form via cleavage by TNF-a convertase. The primary function of RANKL is n bone remodeling and metabolism and in regulation of T cell dependent immune responses. The receptor for RANKL is RANK, and osteoprotegerin is a decoy receptor that triggers different signaling pathways. The RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway contributes to breast cancer initiation and progression, and RANKL expression has been correlated with other cancers, including metastatic prostate carcinoma and multiple myeloma. In autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, RANKL has been linked to the progression of bone erosion and destruction.

Swiss-Prot Accession Number: O14788