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Galectins are a family of animal lectins with an affinity for beta-galactosides. This family has at least 14 identified members. Galectins share similarities in the CRD (the carbohydrate recognition domain). Galectins are synthesized as cytosolic proteins. Though localized principally in the cytoplasm and lacking a classical signal peptide, galectins can also be stimulated to secretion by non-classical pathways or alternatively targeted to the nucleus. Galectins are involved in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Human Galectin-7 belongs to the prototypical Galectins containing a single CRD, which is initially identified in human epidermis as a monomer. The Galectin-7 expression is induced by tumor suppressor protein p53 and associated with apoptosis. Galectin-7 is a pro-apoptotic protein which functions intracellularlly upstream of JNK activation and mitochondrial cytochrome c release. The correlation of Galectin-7 with the UV-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes presents a critical mechanism in the maintenance of epidermal homeostasis. Human Galectin-7 is localized in both nucleus and cytoplasm.

Tissue plasminogen activator (abbreviated PLAT or tPA) is a secreted serine proteasewhich converts the proenzymeplasminogento plasmin, a fibrinolyticenzyme. Plasminogen is synthesized as a single chain which is cleaved by PLAT into the two chain disulfide linked plasmin.
This enzyme plays a role in cell migrationand tissue remodeling. Increased enzymatic activity causes hyperfibrinolysis, which manifests as excessive bleeding; decreased activity leads to hypofibrinolysiswhich can result in thrombosisor embolism.

FGF8 is part of the fibroblast growth factor family. FGF family members have wide mitogenic and cell survival activities, and participate in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. FGF8 supports androgen and anchorage independent growth of mammary tumor cells. FGF8 over expression increases tumor growth and angiogensis. The adult expression of FGF-8 gene is restricted to testes and ovaries. FGF8 functions as an embryonic epithelial factor. FGF8 takes part in midbrain and limb development, organogenesis, embryo gastrulation and left-right axis determination.

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.

Beta-galactosidase is a hydrolase enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of Beta-galactosides into monosaccharides. Substrates of different Beta-galactosidases include ganglioside GM1, lactosylceramides, lactose, and various glycoproteins. Beta-galactosidase is produced In E. coli by activation of the lac operon as the lacZ gene.

Platelet factor-4 is a 70-amino acid protein that is released from the alpha-granules of activated platelets.PF4’s major physiologic role appears to be neutralization of molecules on the endothelial surface of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting local antithrombin III activity and promoting coagulation. As a strong chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts, PF4 probably has a role in inflammation and wound repair. Oncostatin-A is a member of the CXC chemokine family. Furthermore, it is used as an inhibitor in the angiogenesis during tumor therapy.

Serine protease 28, also known as Prss28, is a member of the S1 serine proteinase family with a conserved Histidine-Aspartic Acid-Serine catalytic triad. Prss28 shows mixed substrate specificity which silences signaling through proteinase-activated receptors. Furthermore, Prss28 is involved with embryo hatching and its activity is vital for successful implantation.

NTAL participates in FCER1 (high affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor)-mediated signaling in mast cells. NTAL takes part in BCR (B-cell antigen receptor)-mediated signaling in B-cells and FCGR1 (high affinity immunoglobulin gamma Fc receptor I)-mediated signaling in myeloid cells. Couples activation of these receptors and their associated kinases with distal intracellular events through the recruitment of GRB2.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme(EC1.1.1.27) present in a wide variety of organisms, including plants and animals.
A tetrameric enzyme that catalyses the interconversion of pyruvateand lactate with concomitant interconversion of NADH and NAD+. At high concentrations of pyruvate, the enzyme exhibits feedback inhibition and the rate of conversion of pyruvate to lactate is decreased. In vertebrates, genes for three different subunits (LDH-A, LDH-B and LDH-C) exist.

Carboxypeptidase-E (CPE ) is a carboxypeptidase that cleaves C-terminal amino acid residues and is involved in the biosynthesis of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters. CPE is a peripheral membrane protein. CPE specifically connects regulated secretory pathway proteins, including prohormones, but constitutively secreted proteins. Mutations in CPE are implicated in type II diabetes.

PCBD1 enzyme takes part in phenylalanine hydroxylation. PCBD1 deficiency results in hyperphenylalaninemia. PCBD1 enzyme controls the homodimerization of HNF1. PCBD1 takes part in tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis. PCBD1 prevents the formation of 7-pterins and accelerate the formation of quinonoid-BH2. PCBD1 is a coactivator for HNF1A-dependent transcription.

CTLA-4 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and encodes a protein which transmits an inhibitory signal to T cells. The protein contains a V domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized. The membrane-bound isoform functions as a homodimer interconnected by a disulfide bond, while the soluble isoform functions as a monomer. Mutations in this gene have been associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis, celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, thyroid-associated orbitopathy, and other autoimmune diseases.

P85a functions as the regulatory subunit of the class IA PI3-kinase isoforms a, b, and d.
It contains two SH2 domains that bind to tyrosine-phosphorylated growth factor receptors or substrate adaptor proteins.
It also contains a BH (breakpoint cluster region homology) domain that shows GAP activity towards the small GTPases Rab4, Rab5, Cdc42, Rac1 and to a lesser extend towards Rab6 and Rab11.
It was shown that PI3Ka catalytic subunit mediated phosphorylation of the p85a adapter reduces the lipid kinase activity of the heterodimer and this gives hints for PI3K-dependent signaling events not requiring production of 3’-phosphorylated phosphoinositides.
PI3Ka protein kinase activity has been implicated in IRS-1 serine phosphorylation in insulin-treated adipocytes and in STAT3 and IRS-1 phosphorylation upon activation of the type 1 IFN receptor by IFN-a.

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.

BMP2 belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. Bone morphogenic protein induces bone formation. BMP2 is a candidate gene for the autosomal dominant disease of fibrodysplasia (myositis) ossificans progressiva.

Prostatic acid phosphatase, also known as PAP, is an enzyme produced by the prostate. PAP may be found in increased amounts in men with prostate cancer.
PAP’s physiological function may be associated with the liquefaction process of semen.
The highest levels of PAP are found in metastasized prostate cancer. Diseases of the bone, such as Paget's disease or hyperparathyroidism, diseases of blood cells (sickle-cell disease) or multiple myeloma or lysosomal storage diseases (Gaucher's disease), will show moderately higher levels.
Certain medications can cause temporary changes in PAP levels. Manipulation of the prostate gland through rectal exam, biopsy or massage may increase the level.

L-Asparaginase is an enzyme that depletes L-Asparagine "an important nutrient for cancer cells" resulting in cancer/tumor cell starvation. L-asparaginase is an anti-tumor agent derived from E.coli.,which can inhibit the growth of malignant cells. It is used mainly for the induction of remission in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Because of the lymph node origin of malignant B cells in Multiple Myeloma, L-Asparagine is an essential amino acid for their cell metabolism, and, consequently, L-Asparaginase may be of value in managing the disease.
The rationale behind asparaginase is that it takes advantage of the fact that ALL cellsare unable to synthesize the non-essential amino acidasparaginewhereas normal cells are able to make their own asparagine. These leukemic cells depend on circulating asparagine. Asparaginase however catalyzes the conversion of L-asparagine to aspartic acidand ammonia. This deprives the leukemic cell of circulating asparagine.

Enteropeptidase or enterokinase is an enzyme involved in human digestion. It is produced by cells in the duodenum wall, and is secreted from duodenum's glands, the crypts of Lieberk?hn, whenever ingested food enters the duodenum from the stomach. Enteropeptidase has the critical job of turning trypsinogen (a zymogen) to trypsin, indirectly activating a number of pancreatic digestive enzymes. Enteropeptidase is a serine protease enzyme (EC 3.4.21.9). Enteropeptidase is a part of the Chymotrypsin-clan of serine proteases, and is structurally similar to these proteins.

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.

Matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP14), is a membrane-anchored zinc-binding endopeptidase which is expressed at the leading edge of different invasive carcinomas and also promotes tumor cell invasion through degradation of the extracellular matrix. MMP14 takes a vital part in extracellular matrix, ECM, remodeling by having the capability to degrade type I collagen, activate pro-MMP-2 and process cell adhesion molecules for instance CD44 and integrin alpha V. MMP14 is a key enzyme in many physiological as well as pathological processes for example angiogenesis & tumor invasion.

Leukemia inhibitory factor, is a pleiotropic cytokine which is expressed by numerous cells including activated T lymphocytes, monocytes, mast cells and neuronal cells. LIF takes part in the induction of hematopoietic differentiation in normal and myeloid leukemia cells, induction of neuronal cell differentiation, regulator of mesenchymal to epithelial conversion during kidney development, and is a key player in immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface.

Chromogranin A is a 439 amino acid protein which is encoded on chromosome 14 and is present in neuroendocrine cells throughout the body, including the neuroendocrine cells of the large and small intestine, adrenal medulla and pancreatic islets. It is an excellent marker for carcinoid tumors, phenochromocytomas, paragangliomas, and other neuroendocrine tumors.
Coexpression of chromogranin A and neuron specific enolase (NSE) is common in neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Chromgranin-A is part of the neuroendocrine secretory protein family. CHGA is located in secretory vesicles of neurons and endocrine cells. Chromgranin-A is a precursor to three biologically active peptides; vasostatin, pancreastatin, and parastatin. These peptides act as autocrine or paracrine negative modulators of the neuroendocrine system. Other peptides, including chromostatin, beta-granin, WE-14 and GE-25, are also derived from the full-length protein. Chromgranin-A has numerous biological activities on some tissues and organs and exerts a large spectrum of homeostatic actions, including antifungal and antimicrobial effect, modulation of cell adhesion, and inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion.