Not available outside of the UK & Ireland.

Application

sRANKL has been used to initiate differentiation of osteoclasts.

Biochem/physiol Actions

RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor K-B ligand) is a potent stimulator of bone resorption. Aberrations in RANK (Receptor activator of nuclear factors-κB) and RANKL (Receptor activator of nuclear factors-κB ligand) genes have been associated with osteoporosis, chronic inflammatory arthritis, the osteolytic bony metastasis of malignancies, and reduced bone mineral density in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. RANK (receptor) was originally identified as a dendritic-cell-membrane protein, which by interacting with RANKL augments the ability of dendritic cells to stimulate naïve T-cell proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction, to promote the survival of RANK⁺ T cells, and to regulate T-cell-dependent immune response. RANKL is also capable of interacting with a decoy receptor called OPG (osteoprotegerin). Binding of soluble OPG to sRANKL inhibits osteoclastogenesis by interrupting the signaling between stromal cells and osteoclastic progenitor cells, thereby leading to excess accumulation of bone and cartilage.

General description

TRANCE (TNF-related activation-induced cytokine), also known as sRANKL (soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor K-B ligand), is encoded by the gene mapped to human chromosome 13q14.11. sRANKL and RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factors-KB) are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily of ligands and receptors that play an important role in the regulation of specific immunity and bone turnover. RANKL is expressed in a variety of cells including osteoblasts, fibroblasts, activated T-cells and bone marrow stromal cells. Recombinant human sRANKL is a 20kDa polypeptide comprising the TNF homologous region of RANKL (176 amino acid residues).

Physical form

Lyophilized from 5 mM Sodium Phosphate, pH 7.6 + 75 mM NaCl.

Reconstitution

Centrifuge the vial prior to opening. Reconstitute in water to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/ml. Do not vortex. This solution can be stored at 2-8°C for up to 1 week. For extended storage, it is recommended to further dilute in a buffer containing a carrier protein (example 0.1% BSA) and store in working aliquots at -20°C to -80°C.

Sequence

MEKAMVDGSW LDLAKRSKLE AQPFAHLTIN ATDIPSGSHK VSLSSWYHDR GWAKISNMTF SNGKLIVNQD GFYYLYANIC FRHHETSGDL ATEYLQLMVY VTKTSIKIPS SHTLMKGGST KYWSGNSEFH FYSINVGGFF KLRSGEEISI EVSNPSLLDP DQDATYFGAF KVRDID