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Interleukin-22 (IL-22), also known as IL-10-related T cell-derived inducible factor (IL-TIF) was initially identified as a gene induced by IL-9 in mouse T cells and mast cells. Mouse IL-22 cDNA encodes a 179 amino acid residue protein with a putative 33 amino acids signal peptide that is cleaved to generate a 147 aa mature protein that shares approximately 79% and 22% aa sequence identity with human IL-22 and IL-10, respectively. IL-22 has been shown to activate STAT-1 and STAT-3 in several hepatoma cell lines and upregulate the production of acute phase proteins. IL-22 is produced by normal mouse T cells upon Con A activation. Mouse IL-22 expression is also induced in various organs upon lipopolysaccharide injection, suggesting that IL-22 may be involved in inflammatory responses. The functional IL-22 receptor complex consists of two receptor subunits, IL-22R (previously an orphan receptor named CRF2-9) and IL-10Rβ (previously known as CRF2-4), belonging to the class II cytokine recep

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

Non-homologous end-joining factor 1 (NHEJ1) is a member of the XLF family. NHEJ1 is a DNA repair factor vital for the nonhomologous end-joining pathway, which preferentially mediates repair of double-stranded breaks. NHEJ1 gene mutations cause different kinds of severe combined immunodeficiency disorders. NHEJ1 was initially detected as the protein mutated in five patients with growth retardation, microcephaly, and immunodeficiency. In addition, patients with NHEJ1 mutations have immunodeficiency caused by a defect in V(D)J recombination, which employs NHEJ to promote immune system diversity.

NNMT is part of the family of transferases, especially those transferring one-carbon group methyltransferases. NNMT is mostly expressed in the liver, and a lower expression is seen in the kidney, lung, skeletal muscle, placenta and heart. NNMT catalyzes the N-methylation of nicotinamide and other pyridines to form pyridinium ions. This activity is significant for biotransformation of many drugs and xenobiotic compounds. NNMT is accountable for the enzymatic activity which uses S-adenosyl methionine as the methyl donor. NNMT expression is related with tumor stage and DFS time in hepatocellular carcinoma cases. NNMT is a good candidate as a tumor marker of various kinds of cancers. NNMT serum levels have significance in the premature detection and in the management of patients with colorectal cancer.

Egl Nine Homolog 3 (EGLN3) belongs to the EGLN family of prolyl hydroxylases. EGLN3 catalyzes hydroxylation of the ? subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor-?, which targets hypoxia-inducible factor-? for ubiquitination by a ubiquitin ligase complex containing the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor. EGLN3 is the most significant isozyme in limiting physiological activation of HIFs (especially HIF2A) in hypoxia. EGLN3 is activated in cardiovascular cells and Hela cells after exposure to hypoxia. In addition, EGLN3 hydroxylates PKM2 in hypoxia, thus limiting glycolysis. Under normoxia, EGLN3 hydroxylates and regulates the stability of ADRB2. EGLN3 is inhibited by polynitrogen compounds possibly by chelation to Fe2+ ions.

OGG1 is a DNA glycosylase enzyme which takes part in base excision repair. OGG1 protein is the main enzyme accountable for the excision of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG), a mutagenic base byproduct which arises as a result of exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS). OGG1 shows beta lyase activity that nicks DNA 3 to the lesion.

Osteoprotegerin acts as decoy receptor for rankl and thereby neutralizes its function in osteoclastogenesis. OPG inhibits the activation of osteoclasts and promotes osteoclast apoptosis in vitro. Bone homeostasis seems to depend on the local rankl/opg ratio. Osteoprotegerin may also play a role in preventing arterial calcification. May act as decoy receptor for trail and protect against apoptosis. Trail binding blocks the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.

L antigen family member 3 (LAGE3) is a part of the CTAG family. LAGE3 is ubiquitously expressed in somatic tissues unlike the other family members, which are usually expressed only in testis and activated in a broad range of human tumors. LAGE3 is also highly conserved in mouse and rat, suggesting that the encoded protein is functionally significant.

HLH (helix-loop-helix) proteins are a putative transcription factors family. Several HLH proteins take part in growth and development of an extensive range of tissues and species. NHLH1 functions as a DNA-binding protein and has a role in the regulation of cell-type determination in the developing nervous system.

Nephroblastoma Overexpressed (NOV) which is encoded by the NOV gene is a part of the CCN (CTGF/CYR61/NOV) family. NOV takes part in reducing tumorgenicity and proliferation of certain cancer cell lines. NOV interacts with numerous proteins and is involved in both internal and external cell signaling. NOV is expressed in particular tumors, including Wilm’s tumor and most nephroblastomas and is also exerts proangiogenic activities.

Borrelia belongs to a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. Borrelia causes borreliosis, which is a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted mainly by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species. Of the 36 known species of Borrelia, 12 are distinguished to cause Lyme disease or borreliosis and are transmitted by ticks. The main Borrelia species causing Lyme disease are Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. The Borrelia genus members have a linear chromosome which is about 900 kbp in length as well as an excess of both linear and circular plasmids in the 5-220 kbp size range. The plasmids are atypical, as compared to most bacterial plasmids, since they contain many paralogous sequences, a large number of pseudogenes and, in some cases, essential genes. Moreover, a number of the plasmids have features suggesting that they are prophages.

BDNF is crucial for the signal survival eukaryotes. BDNF is responsible for the development, repair, adaptation and proper functionality of the nervous system.
BDNF major roles include Neuron survival and development, synaptic flexibility, stress adaptation, Repair and recovery post injury/disease and Pain signaling.

A natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) NKp46 has been shown to represent a novel NK cell-specific molecule involved in human NK cell activation. The natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) are a recently characterized family of Ig-like activation receptors that appear to be major triggering receptors in tumor cell recognition. The three known NCRs include NKp46 and NKp30, which are expressed on circulating NKcells, and NKp44, which is expressed only on activating NK cells. NKp46 has been implicated in NK cell-mediated lysis of several autologous tumor cells, pathogen-infected cell lines and mononuclear phagocytes infected with an intracellular bacterium. The Lysis of tumor cells by NK-cells involves recognition by NKp46 of heparan sulfate moieties of membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Furthermore, NKp46 is a surface receptor involved in NK-cell cell death by apoptosis. NKp46 has two extracellular Ig-like domains followed by a ~40 residue stalk region, a type I transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular Ig-like domain of NKp46 (22-255aa) is purified by FPLC gel-filtration chromatography, after refolding of the isolated inclusion bodies in a redox buffer. In addition, engagement of the antigen with the monoclonal antibody stimulates intracellular calcium levels and the synthesis of cytokines. CD59 is an NKp46 coreceptor (by physical association) together they activate cytotoxicity of human NK-cells, their engagement results in tyrosine phosphorylation of CD3-zeta chains associated with NKp46. Reduced cell surface expression of NKp46 and other NK-cell receptors is linked to the impaired NK-cell cytolytic function in viremic HIV-1 infection.

ACTN1 encodes a nonmuscle, cytoskeletal, alpha actinin isoform and maps to the same site as the structurally similar erythroid beta spectrin gene. Alpha actinins belong to the spectrin gene superfamily which represents a diverse group of cytoskeletal proteins, including the alpha and beta spectrins and dystrophins. Alpha actinin is an actin-binding protein with multiple roles in different cell types. In nonmuscle cells, the cytoskeletal isoform is found along microfilament bundles and adherens-type junctions, where it is involved in binding actin to the membrane. In contrast, skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle isoforms are localized to the Z-disc and analogous dense bodies, where they help anchor the myofibrillar actin filaments.

S100A8 is a part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a broad range of cells, and participate in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100A8 plays a role in the inhibition of casein kinase and as a cytokine. S100A8 altered expression is related with cystic fibrosis disease. S100A8 is a calcium-binding protein that has antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.S100A8 is crucial for resistance towards invasion by pathogenic bacteria. S100A8 up-regulates transcription of genes that are under the control of NF-kappa-B. S100A8 plays a role in the development of endotoxic shock in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. S100A8 endorses tubulin polymerization and promotes phagocyte migration and infiltration of granulocytes at sites of wounding. S100A8 takes part as a pro-inflammatory mediator in acute and chronic inflammation and up-regulates the release of IL8 and cell-surface expression of ICAM1.

Agrin or AGRN is a large protein (proteoglycan) that has a crucial part in the development of neuromuscular junction amid embryogenesis. The protein has an involvement in the collection and aggregation of acetylcholine receptors through synaptogenesis. The agrin gene can be found and expressed in rat embryonic nervous system andmuscle tissue. This Agrin protein is aggregated in the synapses, there it can take part in regeneration & development. The protein binds to receptors on the surface of skeletal muscle.

DEAD Box Protein 56 (DDX56) belongs to the DEAD box protein family. DEAD box proteins, categorized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD), are putative RNA helicases. DEAD box proteins are implicated in several cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure such as translation initiation, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly. Based upon their distribution patterns, certain members of this family are assumed to be involved in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and cellular growth and division. DDX56 exhibits ATPase activity in the presence of polynucleotides and associates with nucleoplasmic 65S preribosomal particles.

AnsA is a cytoplasmic asparaginase from E.coli involved in intracellular asparagine utilization. E.coli has 2 L-asparaginases: the cytoplasmic type I form (ansA) and the periplasmic type II form (ansB). AnsA (Type L asparaginase) is constitutively expressed and is obligatory for the growth of the bacteria on asparagine as the sole nitrogen source.

NUDT16 is nuclear nucleoside diphosphatase proteins restricted in foci in the nucleolus and nucleoplasm. NUDT16 is a RNA-decapping enzyme. It binds specifically to U8 snoRNA and can remove m7G and m227G caps from RNAs, rendering them substrates for 5’-3’ exonucleases for degradation in vivo.

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.

GNAI2 is an alpha subunit of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) and holds a guanine nucleotide binding site. GNAI2 takes part in the hormonal regulation of adenylate cyclase. GNAI2 has varies transcript variants encoding different isoforms yet only two full-length isoforms were identified up to date.

Peroxisome proliferators are non-genotoxic carcinogens which are purported to exert their effect on cells through their interaction with members of the nuclear hormone receptor family termed peroxisome proliferators activated receptors (PPARs). Nuclear hormone receptors are ligand-dependent intracellular proteins that stimulate transcription of specific genes by binding to specific DNA sequences following activation by the appropriate ligand. Studies indicate that PPARs are activated by peroxisome proliferators such as clofibric acid, nafenopin, and WY-14,643, as well as by some fatty acids.

NAT6 is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of acetyl groups from acetyl-CoA to acrylamines. NAT6 is located mainly in the cytoplasm and its activity has been recognized by its feasibility to acetylate the N-terminus of proteins using a ping-pong-like mechanism and by its substrate specificity. Given that the NAT6 gene maps to the chromosomal region 3p21.3, which includes at least one tumor suppressor gene, the function of NAT6 plays an important role in cancer.