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Alpha 1-microglobulin (A1M) is a lipocalin superfamily member (kernal lipocalins). A1M is a low molecular weight protein component of plasma. A1M is distributed in plasma and extravascular compartments of all organs. Alpha-1 Microglobulin is found in mammals, birds, amphibians and fish. The primary sites of A1M synthesis are the liver and the kidney. Around the opening of the lipocalin pocket three lysyl residues are situated; those residues carry yellow-brown modification derived from the binding and degradation of heme and kynurenin (a tryptophan metabolite). A1-Microglobulin’s reductase and dehydrogenase have broad biological substrate specificity properties due to its’ free cysteine side-chain which is located in a flexible loop. Alpha-1-microglobulin is glycosylated by three separate carbohydrate chains: two complex carbohydrates which are N-linked to asparagines at residues 17 and 96, and the other simple carbohydrate which is O-linked to threonine at position 5. The carbohydrates comprise 22% of the total molecular mass of the protein. The glycosylation varies between species.
A1M exists in two forms- a free form and complexed to other macromolecules: in humans- complexed to immunoglobulin A (IgA), in rat- complexed to alpha-1-inhibitor-3. Free A1M is exceptionally heterogeneous in charge (therefore also known as protein HC), and is found tightly linked to a chromophore. The free Alpha-1-microglobulin is a monomeric protein composed of one 188 residue polypeptide and contains three cysteines, two of which (residues 75 and 173) form a conserved intra-molecular disulphide link. The chromophoric group is covalently bound to the free cysteine residue at position 34. A1M binds retinol as a major ligand, but this is probably distinct from its covalent chromophore.
Half of all human plasma A1M (approximately 0.03mg/ml) forms a 1:1 complex with about 5% of plasma immunoglobulin A. The resulting macromolecular complexes’ molecular weight is 200000, and a plasma concentration of 0.3mg/ml. The complex can exhibit both antibody activity and affect many of the biological actions of free Alpha-1-microglobulin.
Alpha-1-microglobulin was first discovered in pathological human urine.
It was suggested that A1M might be involved in tissue defense against reactive oxygen species, oxidation by heme and kynurenin. Evidence also suggests that A1M functions in the regulation of the immune system. Other functions include inhibition of stimulation of cultured lymphocytes by protein antigens; induction of cell division of lymphocytes, a mitogenic effect that can either be enhanced or inhibited by the action of other plasma components; inhibition of neutrophil granulocyte migration in vitro; and inhibition of chemotaxis.

Protein A is a cell wall protein deriving from Staphylococcus aureus which exhibits unique binding properties for IgG from a variety of mammalian species and for some IgM and IgA as well. It binds with the Fc region of immunoglobulins through interaction with the heavy chain. It couples to a wide variety of reporter molecules including fluorescent dyes, enzyme markers, biotin, colloidal gold and radioactive iodine without affecting the antibody binding site. Recombinant Protein A was developed to increase the specificity of the molecule for IgG and is widely used both in research and bioprocessing. The recombinant protein A is produced by expressing a modified protein A gene in E.coli. A specific purification process with strict quality control was taken to get the recombinant protein A with the purity of more than 98% , no human IgG affinity step is used during validated fermentation and purification and devoid of bacterial contaminant found normally in native Protein A. (Free of Staphylococcus endotoxins and hemolysin).

DBI, also known as Acyl-CoA-binding protein isoform 2, is a binding inhibitor, which is regulated by hormones. DBI participates in lipid metabolism and in the displacement of beta-carbolines & benzodiazepines, which modulate signal transduction at type A gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors located in brain synapses. Moreover, during adipocyte differentiation the expression of DBI is significantly induced. DBI preforms as an acyl-CoA pool former and regulates LCFA (long-chain fatty acids) metabolism in peripheral tissues.

C1QTNF6 is a collagen type-IV specific for basement membranes. C1QTNF6 is vital for embryonic development.

Coagulation factor VIII participates in the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation; factor VIII is a cofactor for factor IXa which, in the presence of Ca+2 and phospholipids, converts factor X to the activated form Xa. This gene produces two alternatively spliced transcripts. Transcript variant 1 encodes a large glycoprotein, isoform a, which circulates in plasma and associates with von Willebrand factor in a noncovalent complex. This protein undergoes multiple cleavage events. Transcript variant 2 encodes a putative small protein, isoform b, which consists primarily of the phospholipid binding domain of factor VIIIc. This binding domain is essential for coagulant activity. Defects in this gene results in hemophilia A, a common recessive X-linked coagulation disorder.

The cytokine Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified to be secreted by the pituitary gland and the monocyte/macrophage and to play an important role in endotoxic shock. MIF has the unique property of being released from macrophages and T cells in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. The secretion of MIF is tightly regulated and decreases at high, anti-inflammatory steroid concentration.

CKS2 protein binds to the catalytic subunit of the cyclin dependent kinases and is necessary for their biological function. The CKS2 mRNA is expressed in various patterns through the cell cycle in HeLa cells, which shows spcific role for the encoded protein. CKS2 (CDC28) Protein kinase 2 binds to the catalytic subunit of cyclin-dependent kinases and has thus in involved in cell cycle regulation. CKS2 is required for the first metaphase/anaphase transition during the meiosis. An increase in expression of CKS2 protects the cells from apoptosis. CKS2 is essential during early embryogenesis and cell cycle progression in somatic cells.

Bestrophin 1 (BEST1) is a part of the bestrophin gene family and is also forms calcium-activated chloride-ion channels in epithelial. This small gene family is characterized by proteins with a highly conserved N-terminus with 4-6 transmembrane domains. BEST1 is extremely permeable to bicarbonate.

GDF15 is part of the TGF-Beta superfamily that is involved in regulating inflammatory and apoptotic pathways in injured tissues and throughout disease processes. GDF15 is most abundant in the liver. Its expression in liver can be considerably up-regulated in during injury of organs such as liver, kidney, heart and lung. GDF-15 promotes proliferation or growth arrest and differentiation due to differences in cellular differentiation. GDF15 prevents apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons by activating Akt and inhibiting endogenously active ERK. GDF15 is a novel autocrine/endocrine factor that antagonizes the hypertrophic response and loss of ventricular performance.

GMCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. The active form of the protein is found extracellularly as a homodimer. This gene has been localized to a cluster of related genes at chromosome region 5q31, which is known to be associated with interstitial deletions in the 5q- syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia. Other genes in the cluster include those encoding interleukins 4, 5, and 13.
GM-CSF stimulates the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic precursor cells from various lineages, including granulocytes, macrophages, eosinophils and erythrocytes.

Myosin regulatory light chains, including MRCL3, MYLPF and MYL9, regulate contraction in smooth muscle and non-muscle cells via phosphorylation by MLCK (myosin light chain kinase). Phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chains, catalyzed by MLCK in the presence of calcium and calmodulin, increases the actin-activated myosin ATPase activity, thus regulating the contractile activity. MYLPF is vital for fast and slow skeletal muscle development.

Growth arrest and DNA Damage-Inducible Protein (GADD45A) binds both Cdks and PCNA. GADD45A is involved in DNA replication and repair. GADD45A stimulates DNA excision repair in vitro and inhibits entry of cells into S phase. GADD45A may serve as a link between p53-dependent cell cycle checkpoint and DNA repair. The GADD45A gene belongs to a group of genes whose transcript levels are increased following stressful growth arrest conditions and treatment with DNA-damaging agents. GADD45A responds to environmental stresses by mediating activation of the p38/JNK pathway via MTK1/MEKK4 kinase. GADD45A binds to proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

PDCD1 is a cell surface membrane protein of the immunoglobulin superfamily. PDCD1 is expressed in pro-B-cells and is thought to have a role in their differentiation. In mice, expression of PDCD1 gene is induced in the thymus when anti-CD3 antibodies are injected and large numbers of thymocytes undergo apoptosis. Mice deficient for the PDCD1 gene bred on a BALB/c background developed dilated cardiomyopathy and died from congestive heart failure. These studies suggest that the PDCD1 gene product may also be important in T cell function and contribute to the prevention of autoimmune diseases.

EFNA1 belongs to the ephrin (EPH) family. The EPH subfamily is the biggest group of receptor protein kinases and they take part in vital nervous system function and development.

Dynein light chain Tctex-type 1 (DYNLT1) is a member of the dynein light chain Tctex-type family. DYNLT1 is a dynein light chain involved in cargo binding. DYNLT1 acts as one of several non-catalytic accessory components of the cytoplasmic dynein 1 complex which are believed to be involved in linking dynein to cargos and to adapter proteins that regulate dynein function. Cytoplasmic dynein is a key motor protein complex responsible for minus-end, microtubule-based motile processes. Each dynein complex consists of two heavy chains which have ATPase and motor activities, as well as a group of accessory polypeptides.

TYRP1, also known as 5, 6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid oxidase, is a melanosomal enzyme which is a member of the tyrosinase family and takes a significant part in the melanin biosynthetic pathway. TYRP1 is a melanocyte-specific gene which is involved in eumelanin synthesis. Furthermore, TYRP1 is implicated in the oxidation of 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid-DHICA into indole-5,6-quinone-2-carboxylic acid. TYRP1 is regulated by the microphthalmia-associatedtranscription factor-MITF.

Fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) is a member of the large FGF family which has at least 23 members. FGF18 is a binding growth factor with a core 120 amino acid FGF domain which allows for a common tertiary structure. FGFs are expressed in the course of the embryonic development and in restricted adult tissues. FGF-18 is an indispensable regulator of long bone and calvarial development. FGF-18 signals via FGFR 1c, 2c, 3c, and 4.

Delta-Like4, also known as DLL4 is implicated in the Notch signaling pathway as Notch ligand. Consequently DLL4 negatively regulates endothelial cell proliferation, migration as well as angiogenic sprouting. DLL4 is vital for retinal progenitor proliferation and also required for suppressing rod fates in late retinal progenitors and for proper generation of other retinal cell types. Furthermore, at some stage in the spinal cord neurogenesis, DLL4 inhibits V2a interneuron fate.

SUMO3 belongs to the SUMO protein family and operates like ubiquitin. Nevertheless, unlike ubiquitin that targets proteins for degradation, SUMO3 protein takes part in several cellular processes, like nuclear transport, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, and protein stability. SUMO3 regulates amyloid beta generation and is crucial in the onset or progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

PHD finger protein 13 (PHF13) is necessary for normal chromosome separation during mitosis and also for normal chromosome condensation during the early stages of mitosis. PHF13 modulates chromatin structure.

Protein A is a cell wall component produced by several strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The recombinant Protein A is genetically engineered protein and holds 5 IgG-binding regions of protein A. Recombinant Protein A functions basically the same as native Protein A and is perfect for purification of polyclonal or monoclonal IgG antibodies. Protein A binds to human IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4, mouse IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 and rat IgG2c. Protein A also binds to total IgG from rabbit, pig, dog, cat, and guinea pig.

Geminin is a 25 kDa nuclear protein, which inhibits DNA replication and is degraded during the mitotic phase of the cell cycle. Geminin controls replication by binding to the licensing factor Cdt1, and is involved in neural differentiation. In addition, Geminin directly interacts with Six3 and Hox homeodomain proteins during embryogenesis and inhibits their functions. Geminin can also promote DNA replication. Geminin has 2 roles in 2 different stages of the cell cycle: Geminin is a negative regulator of DNA replication during the “S phase” of the cell cycle. Inhibition of Geminin during the “S phase” (by RNAi) results in an additional round of replication of portions of the genome. During the “M phase” of the cell cycle (mitosis) Geminin stabilizes the replication factor Cdt1 promoting DNA replication during the next cell cycle. Moreover, inhibition of Geminin during mitosis (by RNAi) causes destabilization of Cdt1 protein and impairment of DNA replication during the next cell cycle. Geminin thus guarantees that only one round of replication occurs during each cell cycle. It was discovered that Geminin is overexpressed in a number of malignancies and cancer cell lines. This maintains the concept that Geminin has also a positive role in DNA replication and cell cycle progression. Geminin accumulates through S, G2 and M phases of the cell cycle but is absent during the G1 phase. During the metaphase/anaphase transition of mitosis Geminin levels decrease.