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RANKL Pathway

Meaning

The $text{RANKL}$ Pathway is a crucial molecular signaling cascade primarily involved in the regulation of bone remodeling, a continuous process of bone resorption and formation. $text{RANKL}$ (Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor kappa-B Ligand) is a protein expressed by osteoblasts and other cells that binds to its receptor, $text{RANK}$, on the surface of pre-osteoclast cells. This binding is the necessary signal to promote the differentiation, activation, and survival of mature osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue. The pathway is a central target for therapeutic intervention in conditions characterized by excessive bone loss, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis.