{"symbol":"TNFSF11","synonyms":["TNLG6B","RANKL","TRANCE","CD254","OPGL","OPTB2","HRANKL2"],"name":"tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 11","description":"This gene encodes a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) cytokine family which is a ligand for osteoprotegerin and functions as a key factor for osteoclast differentiation and activation. This protein was shown to be a dentritic cell survival factor and is involved in the regulation of T cell-dependent immune response. T cell activation was reported to induce expression of this gene and lead to an increase of osteoclastogenesis and bone loss. This protein was shown to activate antiapoptotic kinase AKT/PKB through a signaling complex involving SRC kinase and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6, which indicated this protein may have a role in the regulation of cell apoptosis. Targeted disruption of the related gene in mice led to severe osteopetrosis and a lack of osteoclasts. The deficient mice exhibited defects in early differentiation of T and B lymphocytes, and failed to form lobulo-alveolar mammary structures during pregnancy. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]","ncbiEntrezGeneId":8600,"ncbiEntrezGeneUrl":"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/8600","proteins":[{"symbol":"TNF11_HUMAN","href":"/api/1.0/protein/TNF11_HUMAN"}],"hgncRootFamilies":[{"name":"Tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily (TNFSF)","href":"/api/1.0/gene_family/Tumor+necrosis+factor+%28ligand%29+superfamily+%28TNFSF%29"},{"name":"CD molecules (CD)","href":"/api/1.0/gene_family/CD+molecules+%28CD%29"}]}