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]
Overall distribution
Tissue specific distribution
Expression restricted in 4 cancer type(s)
Overall distribution
Tissue specific distribution
Gscore (Amp):
0.00
Gscore (Del):
0.22
Overall distribution
Tissue specific distribution
Mscore:
0.00
Overall
Tissue specific
Total fusion occurrence:
1
Fusions detected in 1 cancer type(s)
Overall
Tissue specific
Functional class:
Not specified
JensenLab PubMed score:
4276.69 (Percentile rank: 99.12%)
PubTator score:
1951.46 (Percentile rank: 98.27%)
Target development/druggability level:
TclinThese targets have activities in DrugCentral (ie. approved drugs) with known mechanism of action.
Tractability (small molecule):
N/A
Tractability (antibody):
Clinical PrecedenceTargets with drugs in phase II or above; Pre-clinical targets
