Rac1 GTPase regulates osteoclast differentiation through TRANCE-induced NF-κB activation

Signaling by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE) is essential for the differentiation of monocytes/ macrophages into osteoclasts. We show here that TRANCE selectively activates Rac1, but not Rac2 in osteoclast precursors. Expression of a dominant interfering mutant of TNF receptor-associated factor (TRAF)6 blocks TRANCE-mediated Rac1 activation, indicating that Rac1 lies downstream of TRAF6. Osteoclast precursors expressing a dominant negative Rac1N17 are defective in TRANCE-induced IKK activation and IκBα degradation resulting in inhibition of NFκB-dependent reporter gene activity. In addition, Rac1 acts upstream of TAK1 to induce NF-κB activation and is required for the normal differentiation of osteoclast precursors. Thus, Rac1 may represent a key regulator for differentiation of osteoclasts through the activation of NF-κB.