sRANKL Human
Greater than 95.0% as determined by analysis by SDS-PAGE.
Description
Product Specs
RANKL is a protein that plays a role in bone metabolism and immune system regulation. It binds to two receptors, OPG and RANK, and is involved in the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts, cells responsible for bone resorption. RANKL also enhances the ability of dendritic cells, a type of immune cell, to stimulate the proliferation of naive T cells, which are crucial for adaptive immune responses. Therefore, RANKL may be an important regulator of interactions between T cells and dendritic cells, potentially influencing the regulation of T cell-dependent immune responses. Additionally, sRANKL may be involved in the increased bone resorption observed in humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, a condition characterized by high blood calcium levels associated with certain cancers.
Recombinant human sRANKL is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain produced in E. coli. It consists of 175 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 19.7 kDa.
The product appears as a sterile, filtered, white powder that has been lyophilized (freeze-dried).
The protein was lyophilized from a solution containing 1 mg/ml of protein in 10 mM Sodium phosphate buffer with a pH of 7.5.
To reconstitute the lyophilized sRANKL, it is recommended to dissolve it in sterile 18 MΩ-cm H2O at a concentration of 100 μg/ml. This solution can then be further diluted in other aqueous solutions as needed.
Lyophilized TNFSF11, while stable at room temperature for up to 3 weeks, should ideally be stored desiccated at a temperature below -18°C. After reconstitution, sRANKL should be stored at 4°C for short-term use (2-7 days). For long-term storage, it is recommended to freeze it below -18°C. To enhance stability during long-term storage, adding a carrier protein like HSA or BSA (0.1%) is advisable. It is important to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles to maintain protein integrity.
The purity of this product is greater than 95.0% as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis.
The biological activity of this product was measured using the RAW-Blue assay. The activity was determined to be 38.8 ng/ml, which corresponds to a specific activity of 2.6 x 104 units/mg.
Product Science Overview
RANKL is a type II transmembrane protein that can exist in both membrane-bound and soluble forms. The soluble form, often referred to as sRANKL, is produced through proteolytic cleavage of the membrane-bound form. RANKL binds to its receptor, RANK, which is expressed on the surface of osteoclast precursors, dendritic cells, and certain cancer cells .
RANKL is essential for the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone resorption. It works in conjunction with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) to promote the formation of mature osteoclasts from precursor cells. This process is critical for maintaining bone homeostasis and remodeling .
In the immune system, RANKL is expressed by T helper cells and is involved in the maturation of dendritic cells. It enhances the ability of dendritic cells to stimulate naïve T-cell proliferation and regulate T-cell-dependent immune responses .
High levels of RANKL expression are observed in various pathological conditions, including degenerative bone diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In these conditions, excessive RANKL activity leads to increased osteoclast formation and bone resorption, resulting in bone loss and fragility .
RANKL is also implicated in cancer biology. It is expressed in certain tumors and contributes to tumor growth and metastasis by promoting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. This is particularly relevant in cancers that metastasize to bone, such as breast and prostate cancers .
Recombinant human RANKL (sRANKL) is produced using recombinant DNA technology, typically in bacterial expression systems such as E. coli. The recombinant protein is purified and used in various research applications, including cell culture, differentiation studies, and functional assays .
Recombinant sRANKL is valuable for studying the molecular mechanisms of osteoclastogenesis, immune cell activation, and tumor biology. It is also used in drug development to identify potential therapeutic targets for conditions involving RANKL dysregulation .
- In vitro differentiation: Used to differentiate monocytes into osteoclasts in combination with M-CSF.
- Cell signaling studies: Investigates the signaling pathways of the TNF receptor family.
- Immune response research: Explores the role of RANKL in immune cell activation and function.
- Cancer research: Studies the involvement of RANKL in tumor growth and metastasis .
