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Osteoprotegerin

Meaning

A soluble receptor protein that acts as a decoy receptor for the Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa-B Ligand (RANKL), thereby inhibiting the differentiation, activation, and survival of osteoclasts. By blocking the RANKL-RANK interaction, osteoprotegerin (OPG) functions as a critical, endogenous negative regulator of bone resorption, playing a vital role in maintaining bone mineral density. It is an important biomarker in the study of skeletal health and hormonal regulation.