Not available outside of the UK & Ireland.

Analysis Note

The biological activity is measured by its ability to induce osteoclast differentiation on mouse splenocytes.

Application

RANK Ligand/TRANCE human has been used to stimulate differentiation.

RANK Ligand/TRANCE human can be used in in vitro osteoclastogenic assays for osteoclast differentiation.

Biochem/physiol Actions

RANK Ligand (receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) also referred to as TNF-related activation induced cytokines (TRANCE) or osteoprotegerin ligand is a protein that belongs to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family. It stimulates the mature dendritic cells and induces the cytokine production. RANKL also facilitates bone remodelling and possess an angiogenic activity.

RANK Ligand/TRANCE, a member of the TNF superfamily, induces activation of the c-jun N-terminal kinase, enhances T-cell growth and dendritic cell function, induces osteoclastogenesis, and lymph node organogenesis. Mouse and human RANK Ligand share 85% amino acid identity. RANK is the cell surface receptor for RANK Ligand.

General description

Tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 11 (Tnfsf11) is also known as receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). It is a type II transmembrane signaling receptor. It has a molecular weight of around 35kDa. This protein contains an amino-terminal intracellular tail and a carboxy-terminal extracellular region, that bears a connecting stalk and a receptor-binding domain. Tnfsf11 is located on human chromosome 13q14.11.

Physical form

Lyophilized from a 0.2 µm filtered solution in 20 mM MOPS and 500 mM NaCl, pH 6.5, with 50 µg BSA per 1 µg as a carrier protein.