Description: The R12-31 monoclonal antibody reacts with mouse RANK (Receptor activator of NF-κB), a recently cloned member of the TNFR superfamily with no significant homology to other members of this family. RANK ligand (RANKL/TRANCE/ OPGL) binds to RANK on dendritic cells, upregulates the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BcL-XL suggesting a role in dendritic cell survival. The cytoplasmic domain of RANK interacts with TRAF2, TRAF5 and TRAF6. Overexpression of RANK activates NF-κB and c-Jun-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways. Recent studies have shown that RANK interaction with TRAF6 activates NF-κB, whereas JNK activation is mediated through binding of RANK to TRAF2.