Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells that resorb bone and
are essential for bone homeostasis. This gene encodes an
osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), which is a member of the
leukocyte receptor complex (LRC) protein family that plays critical
roles in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immune
responses. Different from the other LRC members, OSCAR expression
is detected specifically in preosteoclasts or mature osteoclasts.
OSCAR may be an important bone-specific regulator of osteoclast
differentiation. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants
encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.
