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APOBEC4 belongs to the AID/APOBEC family of polynucleotide (deoxy)cytidine deaminases, which convert cytidine to uridine. Further AID/APOBEC family members are implicated in Mrna editing, somatic hypermutation and recombination of immunoglobulin genes, and innate immunity to retroviral infection. Among the diseases associated with APOBEC4 are systemic lupus erythematosus, and lupus erythematosus.

ADP-ribosylation factor 3 (ARF3) belongs to the human ARF gene family. This family encodes small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins which stimulate the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of cholera toxin and have a role in vesicular trafficking and as activators of phospholipase D. ARF3 functions as an allosteric activator of the cholera toxin catalytic subunit, an ADP-ribosyltransferase. ARF3 is involved in protein trafficking; may modulate vesicle budding and uncoating within the Golgi apparatus. The ARF3 gene is comprised of 5 exons and 4 introns.

ARL1 is part of the ARL (ADP-ribosylation factor-like) family of proteins, which are structurally associated to ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs). ARFs, described as activators of cholera toxin (CT) ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, control intracellular vesicular membrane trafficking, and stimulate a phospholipase D (PLD) isoform.
ARL1 is a weak stimulator of PLD and CT in a phospholipid dependent manner.
ARL1 is a GTP-binding protein that has low efficiency as allosteric activator of the cholera toxin catalytic subunit, an ADP-ribosyltransferase. ARL1 is involved in the Golgi apparatus.

ADP-ribosylation factor-like 14 (ARL14) is a developmentally regulated member of the ADP-ribosylation factor/ARF-like protein (ARF/ARL) family of Ras-related GTPases. ARL14 is GTPase which recruits MYO1E to MHC class II-containing vesicles via the effector protein C11orf46/ARF7EP and thus controls the movement of these vesicles along the actin cytoskeleton in dendritic cells. MHC-II transport was controlled by the GTPase ARL14/ARF7, which recruits the motor myosin 1E via an effector protein ARF7EP.

ARL15 is a member of the ARF family which are essential in eukaryotic vesicular trafficking pathways and have a vital part in the activation of phospholipase D. ARL15 variants influence levels of Acrp30, an adipocyte-derived protein that is extremely genetic and inversely related to the prospect of type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease.

Ectodysplasin A Receptor, also known as EDAR belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. EDAR is a receptor for the soluble ligand ectodysplasin A, and is capable of activating the nuclear factor-kappaB, JNK, as well as caspase-independent cell death pathways. EDAR is necessary for the development of hair, teeth, and other ectodermal derivatives. Furthermore, mutations in EDAR resulted in autosomal dominant and recessive forms of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

Ephrin-B2 belongs to the ephrin (EPH) family. The ephrins and EPH-related receptors contain the largest subfamily of receptor protein-tyrosine kinases and have been associated with mediating developmental events, particularly in the nervous system and in erythropoiesis. Based upon their structures and sequence relationships, ephrins are allocated into the ephrin-A (EFNA) class, which are anchored to the membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol linkage, and the ephrin-B (EFNB) class, which are transmembrane proteins. Ephrin-B2 binds to the EPHB4 and EPHA3 receptors.

Ephrin-B3 (EFNB3) which belongs to the ephrin gene family is essential in brain development as well as in its maintenance. EFNB3 binds to, and induces the collapse of, commissural axons/growth cones in vitro. EFNB3 loosely binds Eph receptors located on bordering cells, leading to contact-dependent bidirectional signaling into neighboring cells. The EPH and EPH-related receptors comprise the largest subfamily of receptor protein-tyrosine kinases and are implicated in mediating developmental events, mostly in the nervous system.

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) induces proliferation, migration, and fenestration in capillary endothelial cells derived from endocrine glands. Its expression is induced by hypoxia and is restricted to the steroidogenic glands (ovary, testis, adrenal, and placenta). Its expression is often complementary to the expression of VEGF (MIM 192240), suggesting that these molecules function in a coordinated manner. EG-VEGF potently contracts gastrointestinal (gi) smooth muscle. Induces proliferation, migration and fenestration (the formation of membrane discontinuities) in capillary endothelial cells derived from endocrine glands. Has little or no effect on a variety of other endothelial and non-endothelial cell types.

Frataxin is a mitochondrial iron binding protein that is part of the FRATAXIN family. Frataxin functions in regulating mitochondrial iron transport and respiration. The expansion of intronic trinucleotide repeat GAA results in Friedreich ataxia. Frataxin plays a role in iron homeostasis. Frataxin is an anti-apoptotic protein which prevents mitochondrial damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

COP9 Constitutive Photomorphogenic 6 (COPS6) is a member of the translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) superfamily,peptidase M67A family and CSN6 subfamily. COPS6 is one of 8 subunits of COP9 signalosome,a highly conserved protein complex which functions as an significant regulator in multiple signaling pathways. COP9's structure and function of signalosome is similar to 19S regulatory particle of 26S proteasome. COP9 signalosome can interact with SCF-type E3 ubiquitin ligases and act as a positive regulator of E3 ubiquitin ligases.COP9 takes part in the regulation of cell cycle and likely to be a cellular cofactor for HIV-1 accessory gene product Vpr.

Charged multivesicular body protein 3 (VPS24/CHMP3) is a member of the vacuolar sorting protein family and function as chromatin modifying proteins. VPS24 links directly with CHMP2 and CHMP4 for the disassembly of ESCRT-III complex in an ATP-dependent manner. During HIV-1 infection, the virus uses the ESCRT-III complex to mediate budding and exocytosis of viral proteins. VPS24 overexpression strongly hinders HIV-1 release.

Recoverin is a member of the recoverin family of neuronal calcium sensors. Recoverin is a heterogeneously acylated calcium-binding and intracellular signal transduction 23kDa protein in the photoreceptor cells of retina. Recoverin contains four EF-hands, of which two bind Ca. Ca-induced extrusion of the acyl group from a hydrophobic cleft in the protein drives the translocation of recoverin from solution to the disc membrane. Recoverin may prolong the termination of the phototransduction cascade in the retina by blocking the phosphorylation of photo-activated rhodopsin. Recoverin plays a key role in the inhibition of rhodopsin kinase, a molecule that regulates the phosphorylation of rhodopsin. This in due course controls the ability of the eye to adapt to, and recover from, exposure to the presence of light. Recoverin is a detectable serologic protein that is expressed in patients with cancer-associated retinopathy, a paraneoplastic syndrome.

ACADS is a tetrameric mitochondrial flavoprotein, which is part of the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase family. ACADS catalyzes the first step of the mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation pathway. Mutations in ACADS have been associated with Short Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency.

Apolipoprotein E3 (ApoE) is a 34kDa protein component of serum chylomicrons, VLDL, and HDL particles. ApoE mediates the binding, uptake, and catabolism of these particles as a result of interactions with the ApoE receptor and LDL receptors in the liver and brain. ApoE is imperative in fatty acid homeostasis and memory formation. Polymorphisms encode 3 variants (ApoE2, 3, 4), which are differentially connected to the development of atherosclerosis and neurogenerative disorders, mainly Alzheimer's disease.

Vimentin expression in human malignant glioma cells depends on cellular density, algorithms of drug delivery and chemo/radio treatment. Vimentin and detyrosinated microtubules provide structural support for the extensive microtentacles observed in detached tumor cells and a mechanism to promote successful metastatic spread. Primary colorectal carcinomas display aberrant expression of vimentin, and have activated Notch and TGFbeta signaling pathways. Vimentin is a strong arterial substrate for transglutaminases. Transglutaminase-mediated vimentin dimerization results in a novel unifying pathway by which vasodilatory and remodeling responses may be regulated. Ablation of vimentin expression inhibits migration and invasion of colon and breast cancer cell lines. Vimentin is the main intermediate filament protein in mesenchymal cells and is therefore of value in the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated neoplasms.

Defensins form a family of microbicidal and cytotoxic peptides made by neutrophils. Members of the defensin family are highly similar in protein sequence. This gene encodes defensin, beta 103A, which has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and may play an important role in innate epithelial defense.

Decorin (DCN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which is closely related in structure to biglycan protein. Decorin is a secreted protein which binds to collagen and fibronectin in extracellular matrix. Decorin appears in different glycoforms, substituted with chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate consistent with the original tissue. DCN contains one attached glycosaminoglycan chain. Decorin influences the rate of fibril formation. Decorin is capable of suppressing the growth of various tumor cell lines. DCN gene defects cause corneal dystrophy. The DCN gene is a candidate gene for Marfan syndrome.

ApoA5 is an important regulator of serum triglyceride concentrations. An ApoA5 mouse nock-out model produced an approximately four fold increase in serum triglycerides, whereas a knock-in model human ApoA5 produced 50-70% lower concentrations of mouse serum triglycerides. Furthermore, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptoragonists, which are used clinically to lower serum triglyceride concentrations, cause increased ApoA5 mRNA expression. There is very little known about ApoA5 protein in human serum. Lately, it was established that ApoA5 is present in the human serum and it can be detected by polyclonal antibodies against both the HN2 and COOH termini, but at much lower concentration than other apolipoproteins.

Follistatin is a single-chain gonadal protein that specifically inhibits follicle-stimulating hormone release. The single FST gene encodes two isoforms, FST317 and FST344 containing 317 and 344 amino acids respectively, resulting from alternative splicing of the precursor mRNA. In a study in which 37 candidate genes were tested for linkage and association with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hyperandrogenemia in 150 families, evidence was found for linkage between PCOS and follistatin. Follistatin binds directly to activin and functions as an activin antagonist. specific inhibitor of the biosynthesis and secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (fsh).

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. As its name implies, VEGF activity has been mostly studied on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g. stimulation monocyte/macrophage migration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ).VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesis and cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.
Elevated levels of this protein is linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Endothelial cells express three different vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, belonging to the family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They are named VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1), VEGFR-3 (Flt-4). Their expression is almost exclusively restricted to endothelial cells, but VEGFR-1 can also be found on monocytes. All VEGF-receptors have seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular split tyrosine kinase domain. VEGFR-2 has a lower affinity for VEGF than the Flt-1 receptor, but a higher signaling activity. Mitogenic activity in endothelial cells is mainly mediated by VEGFR-2 leading to their proliferation.
Differential splicing of the flt-1 gene leads to the formation of a secreted, soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1). No naturally occuring, secreted forms of VEGFR-2 have so far been reported. The binding of VEGF165 to VEGFR-2 is dependent on heparin.

HAUS augmin-like complex subunit 1 (HAUS1) is 1 of 8 subunits of the 390kDa human augmin complex/ HAUS complex. The augmin complex is a microtubule-binding complex required in microtubule generation within the mitotic spindle and is imperative to mitotic spindle compilation. HAUS1 contributes to mitotic spindle assembly, maintenance of centrosome integrity and completion of cytokinesis as part of the HAUS augmin-like complex. HAUS1 is broadly expressed, especially in the pancreas, kidney, skeletal muscle, liver and heart. However it is weakly expressed in the lung, brain and placenta. HAUS1-depleted cells hold functional cell cycle checkpoints, but the depletion reduces the G2/M cell cycle compartment and stimulates apoptosis. The HAUS1 protein level remains constant through the cell cycle.

WIBG is a cooperateing partner of Mago-Y14. The Mago-Y14 heterodimer is a key protein of the EJC(exon junction complex) that is deposited on mRNAs as a consequence of splicing and influences postsplicing mRNA metabolism. WIBG is a cytoplasmic RNA-binding protein that is excluded from the nucleus by Crm1. WIBG relates directly with Mago-Y14 by means of its N-terminal domain.