Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secretory glycoprotein belonging to the TNF receptor super family 11b.
It has inhibition effects on osteoclast and is therefore essential for bone formation.
OPG inhibits the binding of RANK to RANKL and thus inhibits the recruitment, proliferation and activation of osteoclasts. OPG is synthesized as a monomer of 380 amino acids and is assembled as a homodimer within the cell, and then secreted mainly as a disulfide-linked homodimer into the extracellular compartment. OPG is produced by many different tissues and cell types including osteoblasts. OPG is a negative regulator of bone resorption by acting as decoy receptor for RANKL, thus neutralizing its function in osteoclastogenesis.
This glycoprotein is also involved in the regulation of vascular calcification.
Changes in the homeostasis of the RANKL/RANK/OPG systems causes disturbances in bone remodeling shown by bone damages in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, bone loss due to cancer metastases and rheumatoid arthritis.
Intended applications:
- Osteoporosis
- Diseases with locally increased resorption activity
- Therapy monitoring
- Arthritis
- Cardiovascular Disease
