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REG protein was shown to be stimulated during the regeneration of pancreatic islets. Since then, many Reg-related proteins have been identified in humans and other animals. In human, the four REG family genes, i.e., REG 1 alpha, REG 1 beta, REG-related sequence (RS) and HIP/PAP, have so far been isolated. These Reg-related proteins are classified into four subfamilies according to their amino-acid sequences, but they share a similar structure and physiological function. Reg protein is a growth factor for pancreatic beta cells and also suggests that the administration of Reg protein could be used as another therapeutic approach for diabetes mellitus. Human REG cDNA which encodes a 166-amino acid protein with a 22-amino acid signal peptide. The amino acid sequence of human REG protein has 68% homology to that of rat Reg protein.
Reg I was found to be expressed mainly in pancreatic beta and acinoductular cells as well as gastric fundic enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. Reg I production in ECL cells is stimulated by gastrin, as well as by the proinflammatory cytokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2Beta. In patients with chronic hypergastrinemia, Reg production is stimulated, with the increased proliferation of gastric mucosal cells. Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection also showed increased Reg production in the gastric mucosa, partly via increased plasma gastrin concentration and partly via increased proinflammatory cytokine production. The serum concentration of the reg-protein was significantly higher in patients with various pancreatic diseases than in normal controls, and was also significantly higher in patients with acute pancreatitis or chronic relapsing pancreatitis than in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, the serum PSP/reg-protein concentration was also significantly increased in liver cirrhosis, choledocholithiasis, and various cancers of the digestive system.

Endoglin is a type I membrane glycoprotein located on cell surfaces and is part of the TGF beta receptor complex.
The Endoglin protein consists of a homodimer of 180 kDA with disulfide links. Endoglin has been found on endothelial cells, activated macrophages, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, Endoglin has been found to be part of the TGF-beta1 receptor complex. Endoglin thus may be involved in the binding of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta3, activin-A, BMP-2, and BMP-7. Beside TGF-beta signaling endoglin may have other functions. It has been postulated that endoglin is involved in the cytoskeletal organization affecting cell morphology and migration. Endoglin has a role in the development of the cardiovascular system and in vascular remodeling. Endoglin expression is regulated during heart development . Experimental mice without the endoglin gene die due to cardiovascular abnormalities.

Uteroglobin (SCGB1A1) which belongs to the Secretoglobin (SCGBs) superfamily, is a multifunctional protein that exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic effects by binding small hydrophobic molecules such as phospholipids and prostaglandins. Uteroglobin is involved in numerous functions including anti-inflammation, inhibition of phospholipase A2 and the sequestering of hydrophobic ligands. SCGB1A1 is expressed by Clara cells, the non-ciliated, non-mucous secretory cells predominant in lung bronchioles, and by other epithelia which communicate with the external environment. On top of sequestering pro-inflammatory mediators and carcinogens, Uteroglobin is implicated in the inhibition of cell migration and invasion, platelet aggregation, and T cell differentiation. SCGB1A1 gene defects are associated with a susceptibility to asthma.

Immediate Early Response 3 (IER3) functions in the protection of cells from Fas- or tumor necrosis factor type alpha-induced apoptosis. IER3 has a role in the ERK signaling pathway by inhibiting the dephosphorylation of ERK by phosphatase PP2A-PPP2R5C holoenzyme. In addition, IER3 serves as an ERK downstream effector mediating survival. As a member of the NUPR1/RELB/IER3 survival pathway, IER3 provides pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with significant resistance to cell stress, such as starvation.

TFPI2 takes part in the regulation of plasmin-mediated matrix remodeling. Inhibits trypsin, plasmin, factor VIIa/tissue factor and weakly factor Xa. TFPI2 doesn’t have any influence on thrombin.

PDIA4 is an endoplasmic reticulum luminal protein that is a stress protein as well as a member of the protein disulfide isomerase family of proteins. PDIA4 participates in the catalysis of protein-S-S-bond rearrangement. PDIA4 and PDIA3 function as proteases, protein disulfide isomerases, phospholipases or an arrangement of these.

Ipamorelin is a peptide selective agonist of the ghrelin/growth hormone secretagogue receptor and a growth hormone secretagogue. Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide that was derived from GHRP1. Ipamorelin significantly increases plasma growth hormone levels in both animals and humans. Like pralmorelin and GHRP-6, ipamorelin does not affect prolactin, FSH, LH or TSH levels. However, unlike GHRP2 and GHRP6, but as growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), ipamorelin does not stimulate the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or cortisol, and is highly selective for inducing the secretion only of GH.

ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 are angiopoietin-like proteins secreted and expressed mainly by the liver, their role being the regulation of triglyceride metabolism by inhibiting the lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. During different nutritional states (feeding/fasting) the levels of the circulating triglycerides are regulated by Angptl3 and Angptl4 through differential inhibition of Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) as shown by the experimental data. The molecular structure of ANGPTL3 is similar to that of the angiopoietins (vascular endothelial growth factors). Deletion mutants of human Angiopoietin 5 were used in order to demonstrate that the N-terminal domain (fragment 17-207) and not the C-terminal fibrinogen-like domain (fragment 207-460) increased the plasma triglyceride levels in mice.

A 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

A main factor of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica strains is a plasmid-encoded type 3 secretion system, through which Yersinia outer proteins (Yops) are injected into the host cell. Yop E is a GTPase activation protein which controls pore formation by activating small Rho GTPase, causing inhibition of actin polymerization.

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that acts as a growth and differentiation factor for both B cells and eosinophils. IL5is a main regulator of eosinopoiesis, eosinophil maturation and activation. The elevated production of IL5is reported to be related to asthma or hypereosinophilic syndromes. The receptor of IL5is a heterodimer, whose beta subunit is shared with the receptors for interleukine 3 (IL3) and colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2/GM-CSF). IL5, together with those for interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 13 (IL13), and CSF2, form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5. IL5, IL4, and IL13 are found to be regulated coordinately by long-range regulatory elements spread over 120 kilobases on chromosome 5q31.

IFN Regulatory Factor-5, also known as IRF5 belongs to the IFN regulatory factor (IRF) family, a group of transcription factors with various functions, including virus-mediated activation of IFN, and modulation of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune system activity. Members of the IRF family are characterized by a conserved N-terminal DNA-binding domain containing tryptophan (W) repeats. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. In addition, IRF5 is implicated in the induction of IFNs IFNA and INFB and inflammatory cytokines upon virus infection. IRF5 is activated by TLR7 or TLR8 signaling.

HB-EGF is an EGF related growth factor which signals via the EGF receptor, and stimulates the proliferation of SMC (smooth muscle cells), fibroblasts, epithelial cells and keratinocytes. HB-EGF is expressed in various cell types and tissues, including vascular endothelial cells and SMC, macrophages, skeletal muscle, keratinocytes and particular tumor cells. HB-EGF’s ability to explicitly bind sulfate proteoglycans is dissimilar from other EGF-like molecules, and might be related to the enhanced mitogenic activity, relative to EGF, that HB-EGF exerts on smooth muscle cells.

Leptin takes an important part in the regulation of energy balance and body weight control.After entering the circulation, Leptin binds LEPRwhich results in the activation of several major signalling pathways. In the hypothalamus Leptin acts as an appetite-regulating factor that induces a decrease in food intake and an increase in energy consumption and also regulates bone mass and secretion of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal hormones. In the periphery, increases basal metabolism, regulates pancreatic beta-cell function and insulin secretion and affects innate and adaptive immunity.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important signaling protein involved in vessel formation 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 vasculogenesis and endothelial cell production, 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. VEGF is located in normal cartilage though only osteoarthritic cartilage expresses the VEGF receptors, NP1, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. The VEGF level in the culture media from OA chondrocytes was more than 3 folds higher than in media from normal chondrocytes

GCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes. The active protein is found extracellularly. Three transcript variants encoding three different isoforms have been found for this gene. Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. This csf induces granulocytes.

Intrinsic Factor is a member of the cobalamin transport protein family. It encodes a glycoprotein secreted by parietal cells of the gastric mucosa and is required for adequate absorption of vitamin B12 in the terminal ileum. Vitamin B12 is essential for erythrocyte maturation and mutations in the Intrinsic Factor may lead to congenital pernicious anemia. Upon entry into the stomach, vitamin B12 binds to one of two B12 binding proteins present in the gastric fluid. In the less acidic environment of the small intestine, these proteins dissociate from the vitamin, allowing it to bind to intrinsic factor and enter the portal circulation through a receptor in the ileal mucosa specific for the B12-intrinsic factor complex.

Fractalkine soluble form is chemotactic for t-cells and monocytes, but not for neutrophils. Fractalkine membrane-bound form promotes adhesion of those leukocytes to endothelial cells. Fractalkine regulates leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium and binds to CX3CR1. Natural Human Fractalkine is produced as a long protein (373-amino acid) with an extended mucin-like stalk and a chemokine domain on top. The mucin-like stalk permits it to bind to the cell surface. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family of iron binding proteins. It is found in human breast milk as well as most epithelial surface secretions including tears, nasogastric, saliva, and bronchial. Lactoferrin binds 2 molecules of iron with very high affinity. Lactoferrin inhibits bacterial growth by withholding iron, its N-terminal region is an antimicrobial peptide. Lactotransferrin acts synergistically with lysozyme to potentiate the activity of both proteins. The multifunctional protein lactoferrin has many physiological possible roles. It is often referred to as an innate defense protein and frequently serves as the first line of defense in protection against pathogens. It has been shown to have the ability to bind iron, it is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral, it is an antioxidant and it also has immunomodulatory properties. It has many beneficial properties, which make it a good candidate for a number of product applications. Considerable research is currently going on to explain the various suggested biological functions of lactoferrin.

Agouti-related protein is an endogenous antagonist of hypothalamic alpha-melanocortin receptors MC3R and MC4R with potent orexigenic activity. Although a complete deletion of the AGRP gene does not produce any significant metabolic phenotypes, reduction in AGRP expression by RNA interference is associated with increased metabolic rate along with reduced weight gain. In hypothalamus, it is produced by neurons in the medial portion of arcuate nucleus, which produce also the potent orexigenic peptide Neuropeptide Y (NP-Y). Another site of central AGRP production is the hypothalamic nucleus. AGRP encompasses 132 amino acid residues and its alpha-melanocortin inhibiting activity results in a 34 amino acid cystine knot domain within the C-terminal (87-132) portion of the protein. Both AGRP and NP-Y expression was shown to be suppressed by leptin. Central administration of AGRP induces hyperphagia and increased gain in body weight in rodents, but may also exert metabolic effects even when hyperphagia is prevented. In the absence of hyperphagia, intracerebralventricular administration of AGRP caused significant increases in plasma leptin and insulin concentrations (twofold and 1.5-fold, respectively) and fat pad mass.
In the periphery, AGRP mRNA was found in adrenal glands, lung, testis, ovary, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in humans or rodents. In the adrenals, it was shown that AGRP antagonizes glucosteroid production mediated by MC4R. AGRP could then modulate locally the functions of some peripheral tissues such as adrenals.
In human and rat serum, detectable levels of AGRP-like activity were reported in the lower picogram range. The serum AGRP levels were elevated in obese humans compared to lean controls and increased with fasting in rats.

Eukaryotic Translation Elongation Factor 1 Gamma (EEF1G) takes part in anchoring the complex to additional cellular components. EEF1G is a multi-protein complex which is in charge of the delivery of aminoacyl-tRNAs to the ribosome. Over expression of EEF1G is linked with pancreatic cancer, due to the role of EEF1G protein in the oncogenic transformation process.

NRTN belongs to the GDNF family of ligands, a distant member of the TGF-beta superfamily. NRTN, a ligand used to bind to GFRA2 receptors, signals through RET and a GPI-linked coreceptor, and promotes endurance of neuronal populations, controls the size of non-neuronal cell population such as haemopoietic cells and regulate the development and maintenance of the CNS. Mutation in NRTN results in Hirschsprung Disease.

Uroporphyrinogen III synthase (UROS) is an enzyme involved in the 4th step of porphyrin metabolism and in the conversion of hydroxymethyl bilane into uroporphyrinogen III. Defects in the UROS protein can cause molecular lesions which lead to the autosomal recessive Gunther disease, otherwise known as congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP).

YWHAH belongs to the 14-3-3 family of proteins which mediate signal transduction by binding to phosphoserine-containing proteins. 14-3-3 ETA is found in plants and mammals, and there is 99% identity to the mouse, rat and bovine orthologs. YWHAH gene contains a 7 base pair repeat sequence in its 5' UTR, and changes in the number of this repeat has been associated with early-onset schizophrenia.
14-3-3 eta is specific to the site of joint inflammation.
14-3-3 proteins are colocalized with Lewy bodies in Parkinson disease, though there is no specific staining for the 14-3-3 eta subunit.
There are 3 different isoforms types of 14-3-3: Beta, Gamma and ETA that are DAL-1/Protein 4.1B-binding proteins.