Search results

Pro-opiomelanocortin preproprotein (POMC) is a polypeptide hormone precursor which experiences extensive, tissue-specific, post-translational processing via cleavage by subtilisin-like enzymes known as prohormone convertases. POMC regulates the corticosteroid production in the adrenal cortex. Furthermore, POMC is cleaved into ten hormone chains named NPP, g-MSH, ACTH, a-MSH, CLIP, Lipotropin b, Lipotropin g, b-MSH,b endorphin and Met-enkephalin. POMC gene defects are the cause of POMC deficiency, which is characterized by red hair and adrenal insufficiency.

RAB3A Interacting Protein Like 1 (RAB3IL1) is a 382 amino acid protein which is a member of the SEC2 family. RAB3IL1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab3A. RAB3IL1 competes for interaction with Rab3A and IHPK1 via its coiled coil domain, which doesn’t involve IHPK1 kinase activity.

RAP1A is part of the family of RAS-related proteins which possess 50% amino acid identity with the classical RAS proteins and have various structural characteristics in common. RAP proteins differ from RAS proteins in their 61st amino acid, glutamine in RAS is replaced by threonine in RAP proteins. RAP1A induces morphological reversion of a cell line transformed by a Ras oncogene and counteracts the mitogenic function of Ras, since it can interact with Ras GAPs and RAF in a competitive manner.

Renin is a highly specific endopeptidase which generates angiotensin I from angiotensinogen in the plasma. angiotensin I is an important regulator of blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Renin initiates a cascade of reactions that produce an elevation of blood pressure and increased sodium retention by the kidney.

Crystallin Zeta, also known as CRYZ, Binds NADP and participates in a one-electron transfer process. CRYZ takes part in the detoxification of xenobiotics and Interacts with (AU)-rich elements (ARE) in the 3'-UTR of target mRNA species. CRYZ improves the mRNA coding for BCL2.

SERPINI1 (Neuroserpin) is an inhibitory serpin which is expressed primarily in the central nervous system. Even though the physiological target of SERPINI1 is still vague, amassed evidence suggest that SERPINI1 has an imperative role in controlling proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) during synaptogenesis and the subsequent development of neuronal plasticity. The neuroprotective role of SERPINI1 has been demonstrated in transgenic mice lacking SERPINI1 expression. The deficiency of SERPINI1 in these mice is linked with motor neuron disease characterized by axonal degradation. In humans, defects in SERPINI1, caused by point mutations in the neuroserpin gene, trigger a hereditary disorder known as the familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB).

Argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) is a member of the lyase 1 family. ASL is an enzyme which catalyzes the reversible breakdown of Argininosuccinate (ASA) yielding the amino acids arginine and fumarate. ASL which is located in the liver cytosol is the 4th enzyme of the urea cycle and involved in the biosynthesis of arginine in all species and the production of urea in ureotelic species. While Argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) catalyzes the formation of argininosuccinate from citrulline and aspartate, ASL breaks down the newly formed argininosuccinate into L-arginine and fumarate. L-arginine continues within the urea cycle to form urea and orinthine, whereas fumarate can enter the citric acid cycle. ASL gene Mutations result in the autosomal recessive disorder argininosuccinic aciduria, or argininosuccinic acid lyase deficiency.

N-acetylneuraminate lyase (NPL) is an enzyme which catalyzes the chemical reaction (N-acetylneuraminate ->N-acetyl-D-mannosamine + pyruvate). NPL is a member of a family of lyases, specifically the oxo-acid-lyases, which cleave carbon-carbon bonds. NPL participates in amino sugars metabolism.

CXCL14 is involved in immunoregulatory and inflammatory processes. BRAK protein is structurally related to the CXC (Cys-X-Cys) subfamily of cytokines. CXCL14 displays chemotactic activity for monocytes but not for lymphocytes, dendritic cells, neutrophils or macrophages. CXCL14 is involved in the homeostasis of monocyte-derived macrophages.

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.

Transcription elongation factor A protein-like 1 (TCEAL1) is a member of the transcription elongation factor A (SII)-like (TCEAL) family, which may function as nuclear phosphoproteins that modulate transcription in a promoter context-dependent manner. TCEAL1 is involved in transcriptional regulation. TCEAL1 is expressed in all tissues, especially highly expressed in the heart, ovary, prostate and skeletal muscle.

Pirin (PIR) which belongs to the cupin superfamily, is an Fe(II)-containing nuclear protein expressed in all tissues of the body and concentrated within dot-like subnuclear structures. Pirin may function as a transcriptional cofactor and is involved in the regulation of DNA transcription and replication, as a result of interactions with nuclear factor I/CCAAT box transcription factor as well as B cell lymphoma 3-encoded oncoprotein.

Lipocalin-2 also called Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) belongs to a family of lipocans which include 25 proteins (including a1-microglobulin and b-lactoglobulin), which are characterized by their ability to bind small lipophilic substances in their hydrophobic core.
They thereby serve as transporters of substances like retinal, biliverdins & prostaglandins. There are indications that NGAL is involved in modulation of the inflammatory response and is found in the plasma of patients after stroke.

Renin is a highly specific endopeptidase which generates angiotensin I from angiotensinogen in the plasma. angiotensin I is an important regulator of blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Renin initiates a cascade of reactions that produce an elevation of blood pressure and increased sodium retention by the kidney.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SNX1 belongs to the large family of hydrophilic proteins that interact with a range of receptor types that participate in intracellular trafficking. SNX1 and the associated splice variant, SNX1A, bind the EGFR, enable its transport to the lysosome, and thus contribute to the degradation of the receptor. SNX1 is related with cellular membranes, and they, also, associate with EGF, PDGF and the receptor tyrosine kinases.

Neuregulin/Heregulin is a family of structurally related polypeptide growth factors which are stemmed from alternatively spliced genes (NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 and NRG4). Thus far, there are more than 14 soluble and transmembrane proteins derived from the NRG1 gene. Proteolytic processing of the extracellular domain of the transmembrane NRG1 isoforms release soluble growth factors. HRG1-b1 is comprised of an Ig domain and an EGF-like domain which is necessary for direct binding to receptor tyrosine kinases erb3 and erb4. This binding stimulates erb3 and erb4 heterodimerization with erb2, promoting intrinsic kinase activity, which results in tyrosine phosphorylation. Even though HRG1-b1 biological effects are still unclear, it has been discovered to advance motility and invasiveness of breast cancer cells which in addition might entail up-regulation of expression and function of the autocrine motility-promoting factor (AMF).

Lipocalin-2 also called Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) belongs to a family of lipocans which include 25 proteins (including a1-microglobulin and b-lactoglobulin), which are characterized by their ability to bind small lipophilic substances in their hydrophobic core. They thereby serve as transporters of substances like retinal, biliverdins & prostaglandins. There are indications that NGAL is involved in modulation of the inflammatory response and is found in the plasma of patients after stroke.

Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) is a part of the 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase family. LPCAT1 is a key enzyme for remodeling phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholine. LPCAT1 possesses both acyltransferase and acetyltransferase activities and also mediates the conversion of 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (LPC) into phosphatidylcholine (PC). LPCAT1 presents a clear preference for saturated fatty acyl-CoAs, and 1-myristoyl or 1-palmitoyl LPC as acyl donors and acceptors, respectively. LPCAT1 synthesizes phosphatidylcholine in pulmonary surfactant and therefore playing an important role in respiratory physiology.