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Diphthamide biosynthesis protein 2 (DPH2) is a homodimer and each of its monomers can bind a [4Fe-4S] cluster. DPH2 is the target of ADP ribosylating diphtheria toxin (DT) and Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE). DPH2 was identified by its ability to complement a diphthamide mutant strain, and thus serves in diphthamide biosynthesis. The loss of DPH2 pre-activates NF-kB and death receptor pathways and renders MCF7 cells hypersensitive to tumor necrosis factor.

GDF8 is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. This gene is thought to encode a secreted protein which negatively regulates skeletal muscle growth.

Desmin is a muscle-specific class III intermediate filament. Homopolymers of this protein form a stable intracytoplasmic filamentous network connecting myofibrils to each other and to the plasma membrane. Mutations in this gene are associated with desmin-related myopathy, a familial cardiac and skeletal myopathy (CSM), and with distal myopathies.

Norrie Disease (NDP) is a secreted regulatory protein which activates the canonical Wnt signaling pathway through FZD4 and LRP5 coreceptor. NDP takes part in retinal vascularization by acting as a ligand for FZD4 which signals through stabilizing beta-catenin (CTNNB1) and activating LEF/TCF-mediated transcriptional programs. NDP is involved in a pathway that regulates neural cell differentiation and proliferation and also in neuroectodermal cell-cell interaction.

Developmental Pluripotency Associated 3 (DPPA3) is a protein which in mice may serve as a maternal factor during the preimplantation stage of development. In mice, the DPPA3 protein has a role in transcriptional repression, cell division, and maintenance of cell pluripotentiality. In humans, related intronless loci are found on chromosomes 14 and X. DPPA3 is expressed in embryonic stem and carcinoma cells. DPPA3 has a low expression in the testis, ovary and thymus. DPPA3 is highly expressed in testicular germ cell tumors.

PDXK converts vitamin B6 to Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP), which is a vital cofactor in the intermediate metabolism of amino acids and neurotransmitters. PDXK is cytoplasmic and probably acts as a homodimer. The biological validity of the alternatively spliced transcript variants has not been determined.

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).

Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide (GIP) which is a significant hormone of the enteroinsular axis has a functional profile of possible therapeutic value for type 2 diabetes. GIP is an important incretin hormone released into the circulation from endocrine K-cells of the duodenum and jejunum after ingestion of food1. GIP was evaluated for his ability to elevate cellular cAMP production. GIP promotes plasma triglyceride clearance in response to oral fat loading.

CHGB is a neuroendocrine secretory granule protein, that is the precursor for other biologically active peptides. CHGB is part of the chromogranin/secretogranin protein family and is expressed in the adrenal medulla, and in pheochromocytoma.

S100A4 is part of the S100 super-family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium binding domains. S100A4 is ubiquitously overexpressed and is localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus. S100A4 is involved in motility, invasion, and tubulin polymerization. Chromosomal rearrangements and altered expression of the S100A4 gene have been implicated in tumor metastasis.

DDX39A which is a part of the DEAD box protein family is characterized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp. This pattern is implicated in a various cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly. Several members of the DEAD box protein family are taking part in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and cellular growth and division.

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.

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 (CDKN3) is a member of the dual specificity protein phosphatase family. CDKN3 was identified as a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, and was shown to interact with, and dephosphorylate CDK2 kinase, consequently prevent the activation of CDK2 kinase. In addition CDKN3 is important in cell cycle regulation. The CDKN3 gene was reported to be deleted, mutated, or overexpressed in several kinds of cancers.

GNB3 belongs to the WD repeat G protein beta family. GNB3 is an important regulator of alpha subunit, as well as of certain signal transduction receptor and effector. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (C825T) in GNB3 is linked with essential hypertension and obesity. In addition, this polymorphism is also linked with the occurrence of the splice variant GNB3-s, which seems to have increased activity. GNB3-s is an example of alternative splicing caused by a nucleotide change outside of the splice donor and acceptor sites. Further splice variants may exist for GNB3, however they have not been fully described. Among the diseases associated with GNB3 are syncope, and aortic coarctation.

Cold inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) has a protective role in the genotoxic stress response by stabilizing transcripts of genes involved in cell survival. CIRBP localizes to the nucleus and contains one RRM (RNA recognition motif) domain. Expressed ubiquitously, CIRBP is believed to play a crucial role in the suppression of cellular proliferation in response to UV irradiation or extreme cold.

Synaptotagmin-11 (SYT11) protein may be involved in Ca2+-dependent exocytosis of secretory vesicles through Ca2+ and phospholipid binding to the C2 domain or may function as Ca2+ sensors in the process of vesicular trafficking and exocytosis.

Cathepsin D is synthesized as a 54kDa precursor, which is proteolytically processed to an intermediate 48kDa single chain, which matures into more stable 34kDa and 14kDa two chain form. It is an estrogen-regulated lysosomal protease that has been suggested to facilitate cancer cell migration and invasion by digesting the basement membrane, extracellular matrix, and xonnective tissue. Because of its mitogenic and proteolytic activities, it has been implicated as a prognostic marker in many tumor types. Cathepsin D is expressed in epithelial cells as well as in macrophages.

DnaK, originally identified for its DNA replication by bacteriophage l in E. coli is the bacterial hsp70 chaperone. This protein is involved in the folding and assembly of newly synthesized polypeptide chains and in preventing the aggregation of stress-denatured proteins.The protein coding region of the substrate binding domain of DnaK (amino acids 385-638) was amplified by PCR and cloned into an E. coli expression vector. The substrate binding domain of DNAK was purified to apparent homogeneity by using conventional column chromatography techniques. Additional amino acid (Met) is attached at N- terminus.

CB1 cannabinoid receptor-interacting protein 1 (CNRIP1) is a 164 amino acid protein and G-protein coupled receptor which is a member of the CNRIP family. The CNRIP1 interacts with the C-terminal tail of cannabinoid receptor 1. CNRIP1 is expressed in the brain tissue and, at low levels, in the testis. CNRIP1 is involved in appetite, synaptic plasticity, neuroprotection and analgesia.

Musashi RNA-Binding Protein 2 (MSI2), is RNA binding protein which owns 2 conserved tandem RNA recognition motifs. MSI2 takes part in proliferation and maintenance of stem cells in the central nervous system. Comparable proteins in other species function as RNA-binding proteins and take part in posttranscriptional gene regulation.

Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3) belongs to the DKK protein family including Dkk-1, 2, 3 and -4. DKK3 is a 350 amino acid secreted glycoprotein which is comprised of an N-terminal signal peptide and 2 conserved cysteine-rich domains that are separated by a 12 amino acid linker region. DKK3 is involved in embryonic development through its inhibition of the WNT signaling pathway. DKK3 gene expression is decreased in a variety of cancer cell lines and it may act as a tumor suppressor gene.