Background | Osteoprotegerin (OPG) 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 (TNFSF11/OPGL), both of which are key extracellular regulators of osteoclast development. Studies of the mouse counterpart also suggest this protein and its ligand play a role in lymph-node organogenesis and vascular calcification. Alternatively spliced transcript variants of the gene have been reported, but their full length nature has not been determined. |