RANK

RANK / TNFRSF11A is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. RANK / TNFRSF11A shares significant amino acid homology with other members of the TNF R family in its extracellular four cysteine-rich repeats. Functional genomics in mice showed that RANKL (TNFSF11), a member of the TNF ligand superfamily, and RANK (TNFRSF11a), the cognate TNFR family receptor for RANKL, were essential for osteoclastogenesis in vivo. A functional interaction between RANKL, expressed by bone stromal cells of the osteoblast lineage, and RANK, expressed by osteoclast precursors of hematopoietic myeloid lineage, is necessary for osteoclast differentiation, survival, and activation.