CD254,hRANKL2,ODF,OPGL,OPTB2,osteoclast differentiation factor,osteoprotegerin ligand,RANKL,receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand,Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand,sOdf,TNF-related activation-induced cytokine,TNLG6B,TRANCE,tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 11,tumor necrosis factor ligand 6B,tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11,tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 11.
Cytokine that binds to TNFRSF11B/OPG and to TNFRSF11A/RANK. Osteoclast differentiation and activation factor. Augments the ability of dendritic cells to stimulate naive T-cell proliferation. May be an important regulator of interactions between T-cells and dendritic cells and may play a role in the regulation of the T-cell-dependent immune response. May also play an important role in enhanced bone-resorption in humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (PubMed:22664871). Induces osteoclastogenesis by activating multiple signaling pathways in osteoclast precursor cells, chief among which is induction of long lasting oscillations in the intracellular concentration of Ca (2+) resulting in the activation of NFATC1, which translocates to the nucleus and induces osteoclast-specific gene transcription to allow differentiation of osteoclasts. During osteoclast differentiation, in a TMEM64 and ATP2A2-dependent manner induces activation of CREB1 and mitochondrial ROS generation necessary for proper osteoclast generation (By similarity).
