Encyclopedia: Osteoprotegerin
Osteoprotegerin, also known as osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor , is a cytokine and a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. It is a basic glycoprotein comprising 401 amino acid residues arranged into 7 structural domains. It is found as either a 60 kDa monomer or 120 kDa dimer linked by disulfide bonds. Osteoprotegerin inhibits the differentiation of macrophages into osteoclasts and also regulates the resorption of osteoclasts in vitro...