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MARCKS-related protein (MARCKSL1) which is a part of MARCKS family of PKC substrate is broadly used in the signal transduction studies as an indicator of PKC activation. MARCKSL1 plays a part in the coordination of membrane-cytoskeletal signaling events, including secretion, migration, phagocytosis and cell adhesion and is expressed in a variety of tissues with highest levels found in testis and uterus. Furthermore, MARCKSL1 serves as a regulator of Integrin activation and is thought to regulate Integrin-dependent signal transduction pathways, particularly those involved in macrophage spreading.

Regulator of G-protein signaling 14 (RGS14) is a member of the regulator of G protein signaling family. RGS14 contains one RGS domain, 2 Raf-like Ras-binding domains (RBDs) and one GoLoco motif. RGS14 reduces the signaling activity of G-proteins by binding, via its GoLoco domain, to specific types of activated, GTP-bound G alpha subunits. RGS14 is a scaffolding protein which integrates G protein and H-Ras/ERK/MAP kinase signaling pathways, thus making it suitably positioned to repress plasticity in CA2 neurons. Since RGS14 is highly enriched in CA2 pyramidal neurons, it has a role in inhibition of both synaptic plasticity at these synapses and hippocampal-based learning and memory.

UL16 Binding Protein 4 (ULBP4) is a member of the RAET1 family, which is comprised of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related genes located in a cluster on chromosome 6q24.2-q25.3. ULBP4 functions as a ligand for the NKG2D receptor on the surface of NK cells. ULBP4 binding to the receptor induces expansion of anti-tumor cytotoxic lymphocytes. ULBP4 is expressed mainly in the skin, but also in the testis or trachea. ULBP4 is upregulated in different tumors. ULBP4 doesn’t interact with the CMV glycoprotein UL16. ULBP4 is also a ligand for the KLRK1 receptor. ULBP4 distributes activating signals to NK cells and stimulates tumor immune surveillance by inducing the expansion of anti-tumor cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Interleukin-1 ra is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. This protein inhibits the activities of interleukin 1, alpha (IL1A) and interleukin 1, beta (IL1B), and modulates a variety of interleukin 1 related immune and inflammatory responses. This gene and five other closely related cytokine genes form a gene cluster spanning approximately 400 kb on chromosome 2. A polymorphism of this gene is reported to be associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and gastric cancer. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

Obestatin is a hormone that is produced in the cells lining the stomach and small intestine of several mammals including humans; it drastically reduces appetite in mice and is expected to do the same in humans. Obestatin is a peptide hormone - a relatively small protein. It is encoded by the same gene that also encodes ghrelin, a peptide hormone that increases appetite. The protein produced by that gene breaks into two smaller peptides, ghrelin and obestatin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and is involved in regulating growth hormone release. Ghrelin is derived from a preprohormone called preproghrelin, which also generates a second peptide called obestatin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR39 and is involved in satiety and decreased food intake.

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. This receptor contributes to the clonal expansion, survival, and development of T cells. It can also induce proliferation in peripheral monocytes, enhance T cell apoptosis induced by TCR/CD3 triggered activation, and regulate CD28 co-stimulation to promote Th1 cell responses. The expression of this receptor is induced by lymphocyte activation. TRAF adaptor proteins have been shown to bind to this receptor and transduce the signals leading to activation of NF-kappaB.

Myeloid/Lymphoid Leukemia Translocated To 11 (MLLT11) is a part of the Mixed-Lineage Leukemia protein family. MLLT11 which takes part in leukemogenesis and in the progression of severe monocytic leukemia (AML) is located on chromosome 11q23. MLLT11 which is also expressed in embryonic brain cortex is upregulated during neuronal differentiation and is taking part in the evolution of the central nervous system.

Mammalian mitochondrial ribosomal proteins are encoded by nuclear genes and assist in protein synthesis within the mitochondrion. Mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes) consist of a small 28S subunit and a large 39S subunit (MRPL13 is a 39S subunit protein) and have an estimated 75% protein to rRNA composition compared to prokaryotic ribosomes, where this ratio is reversed. An additional difference between mammalian mitoribosomes and prokaryotic ribosomes is that the second contain a 5S rRNA. Among various species, the proteins comprising the mitoribosome differ greatly in sequence, and sometimes in biochemical properties, which prevents easy recognition by sequence homology.

CAPSL is a calcium-binding protein holding two conserved calcium-binding motifs (EF-hands) which are found in a superfamily of calcium sensors and calcium signal modulators. In addition, the CAPSL gene is in the same linkage disequilibrium (LD) block as the IL7R gene and there is well known association between the CAPSL-IL7R locus and type 1 diabetes.

CCL3L1 is a small cytokine that belongs to the CC chemokines. The CCL3L1 gene is one of several cytokine genes clustered on the q-arm of chromosome 17. CCL3L1 is involved in immunoregulatory and inflammatory processes. CCL3L1 binds to several chemokine receptors including CCBP2 and CCR5. CCR5 is a co-receptor for HIV, and binding of the CCL3L1 protein to CCR5 inhibits HIV entry.

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are ligandactivated transcription factors within the nuclear receptor superfamily, which play important roles in adipogenesis, glucose homeostasis andinflammation. Three different isotypes can be distinguished; alpha, beta and gamma. PPARg, is mainly expressed in adipose tissue and to lesser extent in colon, the immune system and the retina. Whereas PPARg operates in the catabolism of fatty acids in the liver, PPARg influences the storage of fatty acids in the adipose tissue and plays a role in adipocyte differentiation. PPARg binds to DNA as a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor (RXR), activating expression of target genes after binding ligand.

TSLP protein is a hemopoietic cytokine which signals throughout a heterodimeric receptor complex composed of the thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor & the Interleukin-7 receptor alpha chain. TSLP impacts myeloid cells thus induces the discharge of T cell-attracting chemokines from monocytes & increases the growth of CD11c(+) dendritic cells. TSLP is mainly expressed in the heart, liver and prostate. TSLP is related in its biological activities with IL-7 and binds with the heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of the Interleukin-7 receptor alpha chain & the TSLPR. Similar to IL-7, TSLP enhances phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT5, though uses kinases excluding JAKs for its activation. TSLP induces the release of T cell-attracting chemokines such asTARC & MDC from monocytes & triggers CD11c(+) dendritic cells. TSLP activated dendritic cells primes naive T cells to manufacture pro-allergic cytokines such as Iinterleukin-4, Interleukin-5, Interleukin-13 and TNF-alpha whereas down-regulating Interleukin-10 and IFN-gamma play a role in the initiation of allergic inflammation.

TSTA3 is a NADP(H)-binding protein. TSTA3 catalyzes the two-step epimerase and the reductase reactions in GDP-D-mannose metabolism, converting GDP-4-keto-6-D-deoxymannose to GDP-L-fucose. GDP-L-fucose is the substrate of numerous fucosyltransferases that take part in the expression of several glycoconjugates, including blood group ABH antigens and developmental adhesion antigens.
Mutations in TSTA3 result in leukocyte adhesion deficiency, type II.

Sincalide corresponds to the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK) which acts on receptors within the gallbladder wall causing it to contract.
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a hormone originally isolated from porcine intestinal mucosa and described as a linear 33-amino acid peptide containing a sulfated tyrosine, which is essential for its biological activity. It has been found in mammals in both the digestive tract and the central nervous system. Among its multiple biological functions, this hormone stimulates pancreatic exocrine secretion, gallbladder contraction, and intestine motility and may also act as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator in the central nervous system.

Cathepsins B, C, H, L, S, V, X/Z/P and 1 are cysteine proteases of the papain family. Cathepsin C is also known as DPPI (dipeptidyl-peptidase I). Cathepsin A is a serine carboxypeptidase and Cathepsin D and E are aspartic proteases. As lysosomal proteases, cathepsins play an important role in protein degradation. Because of their redistribution or increased levels in human and animal tumors, cathepsins may have a role in invasion and metastasis. Cathepsins are synthesized as inactive proenzymes and processed to become mature and active enzymes. Endogenous protein inhibitors, such as cystatins and some serpins, inhibit active enzymes.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that was previously called PARC (pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine). CCL18 is approximately 60% identical in amino acid sequence to CCL3. It is expressed at high levels in lung and at lower levels in certain lymphoid tissues, such as the lymph nodes, and is chemotactic for activated T cells and non activated lymphocytes. The gene for human CCL18 contains three exons and is located on chromosome 17.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. CXCL10 is secreted by several cell types. These cell types include monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. CXCL10 has been attributed to several roles, such as chemoattraction for monocytes and T cells, promotion of T cell adhesion to endothelial cells, antitumor activity, and inhibition of bone marrow colony formation and angiogenesis. The gene for CXCL10 is located on human chromosome 4 in a cluster among several other CXC chemokines. This chemokine elicits its effects by binding to the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR3. The three-dimensional crystal structure of this chemokine has been determined under 3 different conditions to a resolution of up to 1.92A.

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.

Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins (MIP) belong to the family of chemotactic cytokines known as chemokines. In humans, there are two major forms, MIP-1a and MIP-1b that are now officially named CCL3 and CCL4 respectively. Both are major factors produced by macrophages after they are stimulated with bacterial endotoxins. They activate human granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophilsand basophils) which can lead to acute neutrophilic inflammation. They also induce the synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1(IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-a from fibroblasts and macrophages. The genes for CCL3 and CCL4 are both located on human chromosome 17.

Annexin A8-like 2 (ANXA8L2) belongs to the annexin family of calcium-dependent phospholipid binding proteins. Annexin family members are regulators of such varied processes such as ion flux, endocytosis and exocytosis, and cellular adhesion. ANXA8L2 is a membrane binding protein with various properties, including voltage-sensitive calcium channel activity, ion selectivity and membrane fusion. ANXA8L2 overexpressionis linked to acute myelocytic leukemia. ANXA8L2 may act as an anticoagulant which indirectly inhibits the thromboplastin-specific complex.

Egl Nine Homolog 3 (EGLN3) belongs to the EGLN family of prolyl hydroxylases. EGLN3 catalyzes hydroxylation of the ? subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor-?, which targets hypoxia-inducible factor-? for ubiquitination by a ubiquitin ligase complex containing the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor. EGLN3 is the most significant isozyme in limiting physiological activation of HIFs (especially HIF2A) in hypoxia. EGLN3 is activated in cardiovascular cells and Hela cells after exposure to hypoxia. In addition, EGLN3 hydroxylates PKM2 in hypoxia, thus limiting glycolysis. Under normoxia, EGLN3 hydroxylates and regulates the stability of ADRB2. EGLN3 is inhibited by polynitrogen compounds possibly by chelation to Fe2+ ions.

Placental Lactogen is a polypeptide hormone that is produced by the Syncytiotrophoblasts of the Placenta, also known as chorionic somatomammotropin. It has both GH 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 ins. antagonist.
Placental Lactogen Bovine is also capable of activating human and other heterologous GH receptors but not ruminat GH receptors.

Deslorelin is being studied in the treatment of cancer as a way to block sex hormones made by the ovaries or testicles. It belongs to the family of drugs called gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs. It is used for the induction of ovulation in mares. Deslorelin binds to and activates pituitary gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors. Continuous, prolonged administration of goserelin in males results in pituitary GnRH receptor desensitization and inhibition of pituitary secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), leading to a significant decline in testosterone production; in females, prolonged administration results in a decrease in estradiol production.