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Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 5 (CXCL5) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also known as epithelial-derived neutrophil-activating peptide 78 (ENA-78). It is produced following stimulation of cells with the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Expression of CXCL5 has also been observed in eosinophils, and can be inhibited with the type II IFN. This chemokine stimulates the chemotaxis of neutrophils possesses angiogenic properties. It elicits these effects by interacting with the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR2. The gene for CXCL5 is encoded on four exons and is located on human chromosome 4 amongst several other CXC chemokine genes. CXCL5 has been implicated in connective tissue remodelling.

Angiotensin is an oligopeptide in the blood that causes vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, and release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. It is a powerful dipsogen. It is derived from the precursor molecule angiotensinogen, a serum globulin produced in the liver. It plays an important role in the renin-angiotensin system.
The protein encoded by this gene, pre-angiotensinogen or angiotensinogen precursor, is expressed in the liver and is cleaved by the enzyme renin in response to lowered blood pressure. The resulting product, angiotensin I is then cleaved by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) to generate the physiologically active enzyme angiotensin II. The protein is involved in maintaining blood pressure and in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension and preeclampsia.

Glucagon is an important hormone involved in carbohydrate metabolism. The hormone is synthesized and secreted from alpha cells (?-cells) of the islets of Langerhans, which are located in the endocrine portion of the pancreas. Glucagon is released when the glucose level in the blood is low (hypoglycemia), causing the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream. The action of glucagon is thus opposite to that of insulin, which instructs the body's cells to take in glucose from the blood in times of satiation.
Glucagon is beneficial for the culture of some cell types. It has been used in some biochemical regulation studies of glycogenolysis in hepatocytes. It has been also been found to induce DNA replication in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes when used in combinations with EGF and Insulin. Glucagon increases the blood glucose concentration by promoting rapid breakdown of liver glycogen, and also acts to relax smooth muscle such as the gastrointestinal tract.

Activins are homodimers or heterodimers of the different ? subunit isoforms, part of the TGF? family. Mature Activin A has two 116 amino acids residues betaA subunits (bA-bA). Activin displays an extensive variety of biological activities, including mesoderm induction, neural cell differentiation, bone remodelling, haematopoiesis, and reproductive physiology. Activins takes part in the production and regulation of hormones such as FSH, LH, GnRH and ACTH. Cells that are identified to express Activin A include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, hepatocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, keratinocytes, osteoclasts, bone marrow monocytes, prostatic epithelium, neurons, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and ovarian granulosa cells.

ASCC1 is a subunit of the triggering signal cointegrator 1 (ASC-1) complex which is a transcriptional coactivator. ASC-1 complex takes a vital part in gene transactivation using various transcription factors such as activating protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) and serum response factor (SRF). ASCC1 has an N-terminal KH-type RNA-binding motif, essential for AP-1 transactivation by the ASC-1 complex. Alterations in ASCC1 result in Barrett esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer 1, also known as PCOLCE binds to the C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen and enhances procollagen C-proteinase activity. In addition, C-terminal processed part of PCPE (CT-PCPE) has a metalloproteinase inhibitory activity. Among the diseases which are associated with PCOLCE: bone fracture & oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

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).

Resistin, a product of the RSTN gene, is a peptide hormone belonging to the class of cysteine-rich secreted proteins which is termed the RELM family, and is also described as ADSF (Adipose Tissue- Specific Secretory Factor) and FIZZ3 (Found in Inflammatory Zone). Human resistin contains 108 amino acids as a prepeptide, and its hydrofobic signal peptide is cleaved before its secretion. Resistin circulates in human blood as a dimeric protein consisting of two 92 amino acid polypeptides, which are disulfide-linked via Cys26.
Resistin may be an important link between obesity and insulin resistance. Mouse resistin, specifically produced and secreted by adipocyte, acts on skeletal muscle myocytes, hepatocytes and adipocytes themselves so that it reduces their sensitivity to insulin. Steppan et al. have suggested that resistin suppresses the ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake. They have also suggested that resistin is present at elevated levels in blood of obese mice, and is down regulated by fasting and antidiabetic drugs. Way et al., on the other hand, have found that resistin expression is severly suppressed in obesity and is stimulated by several antidiabetic drugs.
Other studies have shown that mouse resistin increases during the differentiation of adipocytes, but it also seems to inhibit adipogenesis. In contrast, the human adipogenic differentiation is likely to be associated with a down regulation of resistin gene expression.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte specific secreted protein that circulates in the plasma. It is induced during adipocyte differentiation and its secretion is stimulated by insulin. Mouse adiponectin shares about 83% amino acid identity with that human. Adiponectin plays a role in various physiological processes such as energy homeostasis and obesity. Adiponectin is reduced in obese humans, and decreased level is associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia.

Batroxobin is a serin protease that reduces fibronogen levels and is originally extracted from snake venom of Bothrops Atrox. Batroxobin is used in defibrinogenation and thrombolysis and also has an effect on c-fos gene and growth factor.
Batroxobin can efficiently restrain proliferation of VSMCs, by blocking the release and uptake of Ca2+, thus influencing [Ca2+]i.
Batroxobin converts fibrinogen to fibrin through the restricted release of fibrinopeptide-A from fibrinogen to promote blood to clot. Unlike thrombin, it is not affected by heparin and hirudin.

Omentin is a recently recognized gene highly localized to the mental tissue (visceral adipose tissue). Omentin is present in the stromal vascular cells in the adipose tissue rather than in the adipocytes. Omentin is predominantly expressed in the visceral adipose tissue than the subcutaneous tissue, with the omentin mRNA being 150 times higher in the visceral adipose tissue. Omentin has also been detected in human blood using western blot analysis, and seems to increase insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in mice. Omentin seems to increase Akt phosphorylation irrespective of insulin presence. Its role in glucose metabolism and obesity remains to be described; an insulin-sensitizing action is possible.Differences in Omentin expression has been noted in adipose tissue from normals and patients with inflammatory bowel disease although its significance is unknown.

CD207 (C-type lectin domain family 4 member K) is expressed in Langerhans cells which are immature dendritic cells of the epidermis and mucosa. Moreover, CD207 is expressed in several other dendritic cell types including dermal CD103+ DCs and splenic CD8+ DCs. Langerin is localized in the Birbeck granules, the organelles present in the cytoplasm of Langerhans cells and comprised of superimposed and zippered membranes. CD207 is a C-type lectin with mannose binding specificity, and it has been suggested that mannose binding by the CD207 protein leads to internalization of antigen into Birbeck granules thus providing access to a nonclassical antigen-processing pathway.

Adiponectin is a protein exclusively secreted from adipose tissue. In the circulation, adiponectin is present as three different oligomeric complexes, including the high molecular weight (HMW), the middle molecular weight (MMW, also called hexamer) and low molecular weigh (LMW, also called trimer) forms. Different oligomeric complex of adiponectin activates different signaling pathways and exerts distinct functions.

GLRX5 is small redox enzyme of approximately 100 amino acids which uses glutathione as a cofactor. GLRX5 is a mitochondrial protein, which is evolutionarily conserved. GLRX5 is oxidized by substrates, and reduced non-enzymatically by glutathione. GLRX5 is involved in the biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters that are required for normal iron homeostasis. GLRX5 is necessary for normal regulation of hemoglobin synthesis by the iron-sulfur protein ACO1. Defects in the GLRX5 gene are a cause of anemia sideroblastic pyridoxine-refractory autosomal recessive (PRARSA).

PTGES3 takes part as a cochaperone and is involved in signal transduction.
PTGES3 is a molecular chaperone that localizes to genomic response elements in a hormone-dependent manner and disrupts receptor-mediated transcriptional activation, by promoting disassembly of transcriptional regulatory complexess. PTGES3 is necessary for appropriate functioning of the glucocorticoid and other steroid receptors.
PTGES3 localizes to genomic response elements in a hormone-dependent method and disrupts receptor-mediated transcriptional activation, by promoting disassembly of transcriptional regulatory complexes.

"Epiregulin is part of the EGF family. Epiregulin functions as a ligand of EGFR, as well as a ligand of most members of the ERBB (v-erb-b2 oncogene homolog) family of tyrosine-kinase receptors.Epiregulin is expressed mostly in the placenta and peripheral blood leukocytes and in specific carcinomas of the bladder, lung, kidney and colon. Epiregulin stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes, hepatocytes, fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells. Epiregulin inhibits the growth of several tumor-derived epithelial cell lines. Human Epiregulin is initially synthesized as a glycosylated 19.0 kDa transmembrane precursor protein, which is processed by proteolytic cleavage to produce a 6.0 kDa mature secreted sequence."

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 HPR 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.

Ectonucleoside Triphosphate Diphosphohydrolase 3, also known as ENTPD3, which owns a threefold preference for the hydrolysis of ATP over ADP is similar to E-type nucleotidases (NTPases). ENTPD3 is a protein coding gene which contains four apyrase-conserved areas which is characteristic of NTPases.

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.

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 functions as an ACTV antagonist. specific inhibitor of the biosynthesis and secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (fsh).

Enfuvirtide also called human immunodeficiency fusion inhibitor blocks HIV’s ability to infect healthy CD4 cells. It can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood and increase the number of CD4 cells. Enfuvirtide operates by disrupting the HIV-1 molecular machinery at the final phase of fusion with the target cell, preventing uninfected cells from becoming infected. Enfuvirtide mimics components of the HIV-1 fusion apparatus and displace them, preventing normal fusion. HIV attaches to the host CD4+ cell receptor using the viral protein GP120; upon binding, GP120 deforms allowing the viral protein GP41 to insert itself into the host cell's plasma membrane. Entry inhibitors bind to GP41 preventing the formation of an entry pore for the capsid of the virus, keeping it out of the cell.

Adiponectin is a recently discovered 244 amino acid protein, the product of the apM1 gene, which is physiologically active and specifically and highly expressed in adipose cells (Adipokine). The protein belongs to the soluble defense collagen super family; it has a collagen-like domain structurally homologous with collagen VIII and X and complement factor C1q-like globular domain. APM-1 forms homotrimers, which are the building blocks for higher order complexes found circulating in serum.