Osteoprotegerin

Osteoprotegerin

Target · Decoy receptor

Osteoprotegerin Tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 11B · OCIF

Osteoprotegerin (OPG, also known as OCIF, TR1 and TNFRSF11B) is a secreted member of the TNF receptor superfamily. It acts as a decoy receptor for RANKL and negatively regulates bone resorption. Browse Assay Genie's current range of Osteoprotegerin research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.

Secreted proteinDecoy receptor for RANKLOsteoblast-secreted regulator
401 aa
Protein length
~46 kDa
Molecular weight
8q24.12
Gene locus
TNFR superfamily
Protein family
Target information

What is Osteoprotegerin (TNF receptor superfamily member 11b)?

Osteoprotegerin is a decoy receptor for TNFSF11, better known as RANKL, and in binding it neutralises RANKL function in osteoclastogenesis. In vitro, it inhibits the activation of osteoclasts and promotes osteoclast apoptosis. Bone homeostasis appears to depend on the local ratio between RANKL and osteoprotegerin, which makes the balance between the two a central point of interest in bone biology. The protein may also play a role in preventing arterial calcification.

The osteoprotegerin protein is secreted by osteoblasts and belongs to the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily. It specifically binds its ligand, osteoprotegerin ligand, and the two are key extracellular regulators of osteoclast development. Osteoprotegerin may also act as a decoy receptor for TNFSF10, also called TRAIL, and so protect against apoptosis. TRAIL binding blocks the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis. Studies of the mouse counterpart, encoded by Tnfrsf11b, suggest that the protein and its ligand also contribute to lymph-node organogenesis and vascular calcification. The rat gene is likewise named Tnfrsf11b.

The osteoprotegerin gene, TNFRSF11B, is the approved HGNC symbol for the protein. The approved name is TNF receptor superfamily member 11b, and previous names include osteoprotegerin and tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 11b. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been reported, although their full-length nature has not been determined. Researchers investigating osteoprotegerin often study it alongside RANKL and other TNF receptor superfamily members.

Bone biology

Osteoprotegerin is an osteoblast-secreted negative regulator of bone resorption, and bone homeostasis appears to depend on the local RANKL to osteoprotegerin ratio.

Osteoclast development

As a decoy receptor for RANKL, osteoprotegerin inhibits osteoclast activation and promotes osteoclast apoptosis in vitro.

Vascular calcification

Osteoprotegerin may help prevent arterial calcification, and mouse studies suggest a role for it and its ligand in vascular calcification.

TRAIL and apoptosis

Osteoprotegerin may act as a decoy receptor for TRAIL and protect against apoptosis, and TRAIL binding blocks its inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.

Background

Osteoprotegerin frequently asked questions

What does osteoprotegerin do?

Osteoprotegerin is a secreted decoy receptor that binds RANKL (TNFSF11) and neutralises its function in osteoclastogenesis. It inhibits osteoclast activation and promotes osteoclast apoptosis in vitro. It may also help prevent arterial calcification and may act as a decoy receptor for TRAIL.

What other names does osteoprotegerin go by?

Osteoprotegerin is also known as OPG, OCIF and TR1. Its gene symbol is TNFRSF11B, and the UniProt protein name is tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 11B. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been reported, but their full-length nature has not been determined.

Is osteoprotegerin conserved in mouse and rat?

Yes. Both mouse and rat have an ortholog named Tnfrsf11b. Studies of the mouse counterpart suggest that osteoprotegerin and its ligand play a role in lymph-node organogenesis and vascular calcification. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.

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Related targets

Other TNF receptor superfamily members, including decoy and death receptors, with products at Assay Genie.

Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt O00300; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.

Osteoprotegerin Product listing