Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a debilitating bone disorder characterized by giant osteoclasts, enhanced bone destruction, and irregular bone formation. Recently, mutations in SQSTM1 (also known as p62) have been detected in PDB sufferers, with all mutations resulting in either loss of function or truncation/deletion of the ubiquitin binding-associated (UBA) domain. We hypothesized that mutation in the p62 gene resulting in either deletion or premature termination of the UBA domain accounts for the elevated osteoclastic formation and bone resorption associated with PDB. Remarkably, overexpression of the p62 UBA domain deletion mutant (p62⌬UBA) significantly enhanced osteoclastogenesis in vitro compared to cells expressing either wild-type p62 (p62WT) or a control vector in a RAW264.7 osteoclastogenic system. Overexpression of p62⌬UBA potentiated the formation of abnormally large multinucleated osteoclasts and resorption of bone, reminiscent of PDB. Consistent with the enhancement of osteoclastogenesis, overexpression of p62⌬UBA potentiated receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligandinduced activation of nuclear factor-B, NFAT, and ERK phosphorylation. Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a chronic focal skeletal disorder that is characterized by excessive osteoclast formation and activity followed by irregular new bone formation. The pathogenesis of PDB is thought to be initiated by the formation of giant osteoclasts followed by the deposition of primitive coarse-fibered bone in discontinuous trabeculae with a disjointed lamellar pattern. Although the precise etiology of PDB is presently unknown, several factors, including paramyxoviral infection and putative genetic factors are thought to contribute to its progression.