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OPG/RANKL/RANK System

Meaning

The OPG/RANKL/RANK System is a pivotal molecular signaling pathway that governs bone remodeling, a continuous process involving the balance between bone formation and bone resorption. The system comprises three key proteins: Osteoprotegerin (OPG), Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor-κB Ligand (RANKL), and its receptor, Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor-κB (RANK). This triad is a critical regulator of osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival, directly impacting skeletal health and the pathogenesis of metabolic bone diseases like osteoporosis. The ratio of OPG to RANKL is a key clinical indicator of bone turnover.