Linkage and association analyses of the osteoprotegerin gene locus with human osteoporosis.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a secreted glycoprotein and a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is considered to play an important role in the regulation of bone resorption by modifying osteoclast differentiation. Overexpression of OPG in mice has been reported to result in osteopetrosis, whereas targeted disruption of OPG in mice has been associated with osteoporosis. Accordingly, OPG could be a strong candidate gene for susceptibility to human osteoporosis.