TNFRSF11B Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. This protein is an osteoblast-secreted decoy receptor that functions as a negative regulator of bone resorption. This protein specifically binds to its ligand, osteoprotegerin ligand, both of which are key extracellular regulators of osteoclast development. Studies of the mouse counterpart also suggest that this protein and its ligand play a role in lymph-node organogenesis and vascular calcification. Alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have been reported, but their full length nature has not been determined. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Function: Acts as decoy receptor for TNFSF11/RANKL and thereby neutralizes its function in osteoclastogenesis. Inhibits the activation of osteoclasts and promotes osteoclast apoptosis in vitro. Bone homeostasis seems to depend on the local ratio between TNFSF11 and TNFRSF11B. May also play a role in preventing arterial calcification. May act as decoy receptor for TNFSF10/TRAIL and protect against apoptosis. TNFSF10/TRAIL binding blocks the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis. Ref.12 Ref.16

Subunit structure: Homodimer. Interacts with TNFSF10 and TNFSF11. Ref.13 Ref.16

Subcellular location: Secreted.

Tissue specificity: Highly expressed in adult lung, heart, kidney, liver, spleen, thymus, prostate, ovary, small intestine, thyroid, lymph node, trachea, adrenal gland, testis, and bone marrow. Detected at very low levels in brain, placenta and skeletal muscle. Highly expressed in fetal kidney, liver and lung.

Induction: Up-regulated by increasing calcium-concentration in the medium and estrogens. Down-regulated by glucocorticoids.

Post-translational modification: N-glycosylated. Contains sialic acid residues. Ref.16The N-terminus is blocked.

Involvement in disease: Juvenile Paget disease (JPD) [MIM:239000]: Rare autosomal recessive osteopathy that presents in infancy or early childhood. The disorder is characterized by rapidly remodeling woven bone, osteopenia, debilitating fractures, and deformities due to a markedly accelerated rate of bone remodeling throughout the skeleton. Approximately 40 cases of JPD have been reported worldwide. Unless it is treated with drugs that block osteoclast-mediated skeletal resorption, the disease can be fatal.Note: The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. Ref.17

Sequence similarities: Contains 2 death domains.Contains 4 TNFR-Cys repeats.