Description
Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor K B, also known as TRANCE Receptor, is a type I membrane protein that is expressed on the surface of osteoclasts and is involved in their activation upon ligand binding. RANK is also expressed on dendritic cells and facilitates immune signaling. RANKL (Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor K B Ligand) is found on the surface of stromal cells, osteoblasts, and T cells. By analysis of somatic cell and radiation hybrid panels, Anderson et al.(1997) mapped the RANK gene to 18q22.1