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Recombinant Hirudin is a potent thrombin inhibitor originally derived from the medicinal leech. Hirudin acts directly on thrombin rather than through other clotting factors. The mechanism of Hirudin-thrombin appears to be unique. The conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin by the serine protease enzyme thrombin is a major event in the final stages of blood coagulation. In the final stages of coagulation prothrombinase converts prothrombin into thrombin. Fibrin is subsequently cross linked by factor XIII to form a blood clot. The primary inhibitor of thrombin in normal blood circulation is antithrombin III. The anticoagulatant activity of hirudin is derived from its ability to inhibit the pro-coagulant activity of thrombin (similar to antithrombin III activity). Hirudin is the strongest natural inhibitor of thrombin. Hirudin binds to and inhibits only the activity of thrombin forms with a specific activity on fibrinogen contrasting to antithrombin III activity. Therefore, hirudin has a thrombolytic activity since it prevents or dissolves the formation of clots and thrombi. Hirudin also has therapeutic significance in blood coagulation disorders, in the treatment of skin hematomas and of superficial varicose veins. Hirudin does not hinder with the biological activity of other serum proteins and can also act on complexed thrombin, thus having an advantage over more common anticoagulants and thrombolytics. It is complicated to extract large quantities of hirudin from natural sources; therefore a method for producing and purifying hirudin using recombinant biotechnology has been developed.

Placental Lactogen is a polypeptide hormone that is produced by the Syncytiotrophoblasts of the Placenta, also known as chorionic somatomammotropin. It has both Growth Hormone and Prolactin activities on growth, lactation, and luteal steroid production. In women, placental lactogen secretion begins soon after implantation and increases to 1 g or more a day in late pregnancy. Placental lactogen is also an insulin antagonist.
Placental Lactogen Ovine is also capable of activating human and other heterologous GH receptors but not ruminat GH receptors.

LDL is a low-density lipoprotein that transports cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver to peripheral tissues. LDL (like all lipoproteins) facilitates the movement of fats and cholesterol within the water based solution of the blood stream. Each natural LDL particle contains a single Apo B-100 molecule (apolipoprotein B-100 is a protein with 4536 amino acid residues) that circulates the fatty acids and keeps them soluble in the aqueous environment. Additionally, the LDL core is highly-hydrophobic, consisting of linoleate (a polyunsaturated fatty acid) and about 1500 esterified cholesterol molecules. This core is enclosed by a shell of phospholipids and unesterified cholesterol in addition to a single copy of B-100 large protein (514 kD). Even though the LDL particles are approximately 22 nm in diameter and have a mass of about 3 million Daltons, they have a mass and size distribution since the LDL particles contain a varying number of fatty acids. LDL receptors are synthesized and placed in the plasma membrane when a cell requires cholesterol. The LDL receptors scatter freely until they link to clathrin-coated pits. LDL particles in the blood stream attach to these extracellular LDL receptors. The clathrin-coated pits at that time form vesicles that are endocytosed into the cell. Once the clathrin coat is dropped, the vesicles transport the LDL and their receptors to early endosomes, onto late endosomes to lysosomes. At this point the cholesterol esters in the LDL are hydrolysed. The LDL receptors are recovered back to the plasma membrane. Since LDLs convey cholesterol to the arteries and can be retained there by arterial proteoglycans initializing the formation of plaques, increased levels are linked to atherosclerosis, and thus heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. And so, cholesterol within LDL lipoproteins is habitually called "bad" cholesterol. This is a misconception since the cholesterol transported on LDL is the same as the one transported on other lipoprotein particles, it is in itself not "bad", rather it is how and where the cholesterol is being transported, and in what amounts ultimately, which causes adverse effects. HDL / LDL ratio can give an indication of risk for arteriosclerosis.

RELM-beta (Resistin-Like Molecule-beta) is a member of a recently identified family of secreted proteins containing a conserved cystein-rich C-terminus. The RELM family consists of resistin (also called FIZZ3), RELM-alfa (FIZZ1), RELM-beta (FIZZ2) and RELM-gamma. Only resisistin and RELM-beta were found in humans whereas all four RELM family members were identified in rodents.
RELM-beta appears to be produced as a homodimer exclusively by intestinal goblet cells and can be found in high quantities in stool. Remarkably, stool of germ-free mice displaying sterile intestinal tract does not contain RELM-beta until bacterial colonization takes place after pathogen-free mice entered natural environment. Some, but not all, colon carcinoma cell lines secrete RELM-beta into the cell culture supernatant.
The physiological function of RELM-beta is not known. High doses of recombinant RELM-beta showed hyperglycemic effects including lowered glucose disposal and increased hepatic glucose production in mice.

C-type lectin domain family 7 member A 1 or CLEC7A is a protein, that in the innate immune system, acts against fungal pathogens. CLEC7A can be found in the immune system response cells such as monocytes, macrophages & neutrophils, or in dendritic and T cells. The protein is enhanced by macrophages by using GM-CSF, IL-4, or IL-13, or diminishes by dexamethasone, IL-10 and LPS.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone, as its name implies, stimulates the adrenal cortex. More specifically, it stimulates secretion of glucocorticoids such as cortisol, and has little control over secretion of aldosterone, the other major steroid hormone from the adrenal cortex. Stimulates secretion of adrenal corticosteroids and induces growth of adrenal cortex. ACTH also called Tetracosactide directly activates G-proteins. A stimulator of adenylate cyclase and cAMP formation.

CRH is a powerful stimulator of synthesis and secretion of preopiomelanocortin-derived peptides. CRH concentration in the human peripheral circulation is usually low. The concentration rises during pregnancy and fall back quickly after parturition. Maternal plasma CRH most likely originates from the placenta. Human plasma has a CRH-binding protein that inactivates CRH and can inhibit inappropriate pituitary-adrenal stimulation in pregnancy.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor also called LIF is a lymphoid factor that promotes long-term maintenance of embryonic stem cells by suppressing spontaneous differentiation. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor has several functions such as cholinergic neuron differentiation, control of stem cell pluripotency, bone & fat metabolism, mitogenesis of factor dependent cell lines & promotion of megakaryocyte production in vivo. Human and mouse LIF exhibit a 78% identity in its amino acid sequence.

Meteorin (METRN) is involved in both glial cell differentiation and axonal network formation during neurogenesis. METRN promotes astrocyte differentiation and transforms cerebellar astrocytes into radial glia. Moreover, the METRN protein stimulates axonal extension in small and intermediate neurons of sensory ganglia by activating nearby satellite glia.

Growth-Hormone is a member of the somatotropin/prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the growth hormone locus on chromosome 17 where they are interspersed in the same transcriptional orientation; an arrangement which is thought to have evolved by a series of gene duplications. The five genes share a remarkably high degree of sequence identity. Alternative splicing generates additional isoforms of each of the five growth hormones, leading to further diversity and potential for specialization. This particular family member is expressed in the pituitary but not in placental tissue as is the case for the other four genes in the growth hormone locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to growth hormone deficiency and short stature.

GH is a member of the somatotropin/prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the growth hormone locus on chromosome 17 where they are interspersed in the same transcriptional orientation; an arrangement which is thought to have evolved by a series of gene duplications. The five genes share a remarkably high degree of sequence identity. Alternative splicing generates additional isoforms of each of the five growth hormones, leading to further diversity and potential for specialization. This particular family member is expressed in the pituitary but not in placental tissue as is the case for the other four genes in the growth hormone locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to growth hormone deficiency and short stature.

FSTL1 protein resembles follistatin, an ACTV-binding protein. FSTL1 is an autoantigen associated with rheumatoid arthritis and it holds an FS section, a follistatin-like sequence having 10 conserved cysteine residues.

LYVE1 is a selective marker of the lymphatic endothelium & a surface endocytic receptor for both soluble and immobilized hyaluronan, LYVE1 is an extracellular glycosaminoglycan that plays a role in cell adhesion and migration. LYVE1 functions in lympathic hyaluronan transport and is involved in tumor metastasis. Recombinant human LYVE1 was expressed in and purified by conventional chromatography techniques. The normal adult human choroid is endowed with a significant number of LYVE-1 positive macrophages. LYVE-1 is expressed in a reticulum cell neoplasm in an axillary lymph node. This reticulum cell sarcoma is a lymphatic sinus lining cell sarcoma which might represent another subtype of reticulum cell sarcomas.
LYVE-1 immunohistochemistry is a functional method for detecting lymphatics invaded by cancer cells, and detailed examination of the submucosa around the tumor is important for predicting LN metastasis.

GHBP is a transmembrane receptor for growth hormone. Binding of growth hormone to the receptor leads to receptor dimerization and the activation of an intra- and intercellular signal transduction pathway leading to growth. A common alternate allele of this gene, called GHRd3, lacks exon three and has been well-characterized. Mutations in this gene have been associated with Laron syndrome, also known as the growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (GHIS), a disorder characterized by short stature. Other splice variants, including one encoding a soluble form of the protein (GHRtr), have been observed but have not been thoroughly characterized.

Eledoisin is an undecapeptide formed in the venom gland of several species of octopuses and is used as a vasodilator and a contraction agent of extravascular smooth muscle.

Procalcitonin is a peptide hormone mainly produced by the C cells of the thyroid and certain endocrine cells of the lung. Under normal expression conditions, procalcitonin is immediately cleaved into three specific fragments, an N terminal residue, calcitonin and katacalcin. Levels of unprocessed procalcitonin rise significantly after bacterial infection, trauma or shock.

Prealbumin is a thyroid hormone-binding protein that transports thyroxine from the bloodstream to the brain. Prealbumin is a carrier protein which transports thyroid hormones in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, and also transports retinol (vitamin A) in the plasma. Transthyretin consists of a tetramer of identical subunits and is dominantly produced in the liver. Mutations in Prealbumin are related to amyloid deposition, affecting predominantly peripheral nerve and/or the heart. The diseases caused by mutations include amyloidotic polyneuropathy, euthyroid hyperthyroxinaemia, amyloidotic vitreous opacities, cardiomyopathy, oculoleptomeningeal amyloidosis, meningocerebrovascular amyloidosis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Prealbumin is an indicator of protein-energy malnutrition since it has a circulating half life of 2 days and reacts swiftly to changes in nutritional status.

Human Oxytocin stimulates uterine smooth muscle contractions indirectly and stimulates the mammary glands to increase lactation without increasing the production of milk.

Lanreotide is a peptide inhibitor of a number of endocrine, neuroendocrine, exocrine and paracrine functions. It shows good affinity for peripheral somatostatin receptors (anterior pituitary and pancreatic). In contrast, its affinity for central receptors is much lower. This profile confers a good specificity of action at the level of growth hormone and digestive hormone secretion. Lanreotide shows a much longer duration of action than natural somatostatin. In addition, its marked selectivity for the secretion of growth hormone, compared to that of insulin, makes it a suitable candidate for the treatment of acromegaly. By inhibiting the synthesis of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), lanreotide also normalised thyroid function of patients with thyrotrophin secreting adenomas in 50% (8/16) of the per-protocol population treated for 6 months. There was no significant reduction in the size of the adenoma. Furthermore, the inhibitory action of lanreotide on intestinal exocrine secretion, d

Complement Factor D (Adipsin), which belongs to the trypsin family of peptidases, is involved in the alternative complement pathway of the complement system where it cleaves factor B. In the alternative complement pathway, Adipsin is best known for its role in humoral suppression of infectious agents. In addition, Adipsin is a serine protease which is secreted by adipocytes into the bloodstream. Ultimately, Adipsin has a high level of expression in fat, proposing a role for adipose tissue in immune system biology.

Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 6 isoform 1 (SIGLEC6) is a member of immunoglobulin superfamily and SIGLEC (sialic acid binding Ig-like lectin) family. SIGLEC6 mediates sialic-acid dependent binding to cells and binds to alpha-2, 6-linked sialic acid. The SIGLEC6 protein localizes in numerous compartments such as membrane fraction, extracellular region and so on. The SIGLEC6 receptor binds sialyl-TN glycans and leptin. Placental expression SIGLEC6 is upregulated in preeclampsia.

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.