Receptor Activator Of Nuclear Factor Kappa B (RANk)

RANk is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. This receptors can interact with various TRAF family proteins, through which this receptor induces the activation of NF-kappa B and MAPK8/JNK. This receptor and its ligand are important regulators of the interaction between T cells and dendritic cells. This receptor is also an essential mediator for osteoclast and lymph node development. Studies of the mouse counterpart suggest that this receptor directly mediates the osteoprotegerin ligand (OPGL)-induced osteoclastogenesis in osteoclast precursor cells. Northern blot analysis indicated that the 4.5-kb human RANK mRNA is expressed ubiquitously. In some human cell lines, the authors detected additional transcripts that were derived from the use of alternative polyadenylation signals in the RANK gene.