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Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA lyase (HMGCL) is a mitochondrial matrix protein which is a member of the HMG-CoA lyase family. HMGCL is a homodimer and participates in leucine catabolism and ketogenesis, the hepatic synthesis of ketone bodies which, during fasting, provides a major source of energy for the heart, brain and kidney. More precisely, HMGCL catalyzes the final step of these processes, the cleavage of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA to acetoacetic acid and acetyl-CoA.

GLO1 is involved in the catalysis and formation of S-lactoyl-glutathione from methylglyoxal condensation and reduced glutatione. GLO1 is linked to HLA and is localized to 6p21.3-p21.1, between HLA and the centromere. GLO1 enzyme is ubundantly expressed and present in numerous tumor cell lines, in which its concentration is often upregulated ubiquitisly. GLO1 is a major susceptible gene for autism in an ethnic Chinese population from Taiwan. GLO1 might be involved in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. GLO1 plays a role in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Overexpression of GLO1 is associated with kidney tumor.

HAAO is a monomeric cytosolic protein which is a member of intramolecular dioxygenases family containing nonheme ferrous iron. The HAAO protein catalyzes the synthesis of quinolinic acid (QUIN) from 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid. QUIN is an excitotoxin whose toxicity is facilitated by its ability to activate glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Amplified cerebral levels of QUIN may contribute to the pathogenesis of neurologic and inflammatory disorders. HAAO is widely distributed in peripheral organs, such as liver and kidney, and is also present in low amounts in the central nervous system.

NUDT5 is part of the nudix hydrolase family which remove toxic nucleotide derivatives from the cell. NUDT5 hydrolyzes ADP-ribose and ADP-mannose in the presence of magnesium, and in addition hydrolyzes nucleotide sugars with decreasing activity such as ADP-glucose and diadenosine diphosphate. As a nudix hydrolase, NUDT5 holds a central nudix motif and functions to eliminate toxic nucleotide metabolites from the cell while maintaining the levels of signaling nucleotides.
NUDT5 is broadly expressed but is most abundant in liver as a homodimer.

Translocase of Inner Mitochondrial Membrane 8 Homolog A (TIMM8A) takes part in the import and insertion of hydrophobic membrane proteins from the cytoplasm into the mitochondrial. TIMM8A plays a role as a chaperone-like protein which protects the hydrophobic precursors from aggregation and leads them through the mitochondrial intermembrane space. TIMM8A is essential for the transfer of beta-barrel precursors from the TOM complex to the sorting and assembly machinery (SAM complex) of the outer membrane. Defects in TIMM8A cause Jensen syndrome. TIMM8A and TIMM13, forms a 70 kDa heterohexamer.

Fucosidase Alpha-L- 2 Plasma (FUCA2) is a plasma alpha-L-fucosidase, which represents 10-20% of the total cellular fucosidase activity. FUCA2 protein belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 29 family, and catalyzes the hydrolysis of the alpha-1,6-linked fucose fused to the reducing-end N-acetylglucosamine of the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins. FUCA2 is crucial for Helicobacter pylori adhesion to human gastric cancer cells.

COAA is a member of the prokaryotic pantothenate kinase family and it is the first enzyme in the Coenzyme A biosynthetic pathway. COAA phosphorylates pantothenate (vitamin B5) to form 4'-phosphopantothenate. The key factor controlling the intracellular CoA concentration is the regulation of COAA activity by feedback inhibition.

Rhodanese is a mitochondrial matrix enzyme that is encoded by the nucleus. Rhodanese is involved in cyanide detoxification, the formation of iron-sulfur proteins, and the modification of sulfur-containing enzymes. Rhodanese catalyzes the chemical reaction of thiosulfate & cyanide to sulfite & thiocyanate (detoxification). Rhodanese is part of the transferase family of proteins. Rhodanese includes two highly conservative domains, identified as rhodanese homology domains. In mammals, the majority of cyanide is converted to thiocyanate. Rhodanese has weak mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase activity.

Glucuronidase Beta (GUSB) is a lysosomal hydrolase which is taking part in the stepwise degradation of glucuronic acid-containing glycosaminoglycans and plays a significant role in the degradation of dermatan and keratin sulfates. GUSB is comprised of heparin sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronan.

Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 4 (PIN4) is a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) which interacts with NIMA and is vital for cell cycle regulation. PIN4 has 2 different isoforms: PAR14 and PAR17. Furthermore, Pin4 protein binds to double-stranded DNA under physiological salt conditions.

Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1-like protein (GPD1L) converts sn-glycerol 3-phosphate to glycerone phosphate. GPD1L is found in the cytoplasm, associated with the plasma membrane, where it binds the sodium channel, voltage-gated, type V, alpha subunit (SCN5A). Mutations in the GPD1L gene are the cause of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and Brugada syndrome type 2 (an autosomal dominant tachyarrhythmia).

C1QTNF3 also called Cartducin is a novel angiogenic factor in the formation of neointima following angioplasty. C1QTNF3 a paralog of Acrp30 (adiponectin). C1QTNF3 is a secretory protein produced by chondrogenic precursors & proliferating chondrocytes, and belongs to a novel C1q family of proteins. Cartducin promotes the growth of mesenchymal chondroprogenitor cells & chondrosarcoma-derived chondrocytic cells in vitro. Cartducin stimulates mesenchymal chondroprogenitor cell proliferation through extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathways. C1QTNF3 promotes proliferation & the migration of endothelial cells.

MTHFD2 plays a role as a homodimer which requires magnesium and inorganic phosphate. MTHFD2 has a pseudogene on chromosome 7 and owns 3 different enzymatic activities. Each of the activities catalyzes 1 of 3 sequential reactions in the interconversion of 1-carbon derivatives of tetrahydrofolate, which are substrates for methionine, thymidylate, and de novo purine syntheses.

Obg-like ATPase 1 (OLA1) acts as a negative regulator of the cellular antioxidant response independent of transcriptional processes. OLA1 curbs the antioxidant response via nontranscriptional mechanisms. OLA1 hydrolyzes ATP, and can also hydrolyze GTP with lower efficiency. OLA1 is clearly down-regulated by DNA damage-inducing agents. OLA1 is expressed in all tissues; however it is more abundant in the testis, liver, lung, and brain. OLA1 is overexpressed in a number of malignancies, including cancers of the colon, rectum, ovary, lung, stomach, and uterus.

TBCEL, is a factor that is in charge of the microtubule cytoskeleton in determining cell behavior. TBCEL plays a role as a regulator of tubulin stability. While widely expressed in testis, TBCEL is also present in several tissues at a much lower level. TBCEL comprises of seven LRR (leucine-rich) repeats, one LRRCT domain and one ubiquitin-like domain. The gene that translates TBCEL consists of 66,704 bases and maps to human chromosome 11q23.3. Chromosome 11 houses over 1,400 genes and consist of nearly 4% of the human genome. Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, Jacobsen syndrome, Niemann-Pick disease, hereditary angioedema and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome are associated with defects in genes that map to chromosome 11.

Ubiquitin-Like 4A (UBL4A) contains one ubiquitin-like domain. UBL4A is a component of the BAT3 complex, which is a multiprotein complex involved in the post-translational delivery of tail-anchored (TA) membrane proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Post-translational modification by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-related proteins plays decisive roles in protein degradation and in regulation of crucial cellular processes. Due to the fact that in mammals, transcription halts during late spermiogenesis as a result of compaction of the spermatid genome, which creates a special need for robust post-transcriptional regulation.

Short/branched chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (ACADSB) belongs to the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase family of enzymes which catalyze the dehydrogenation of acyl-CoA derivatives in the metabolism of fatty acids or branch chained amino acids. ACADSB catalyzes the degradation of L-isoleucine while having the highest affinity for (s)-2-methylbutyryl-CoA, isobutyryl-CoA and 2-methylhexanoyl-CoA as substrates. ACADSB may use valproyl-CoA as substrate. ACADSB gene defects cause the short/branched-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SBCADD), which is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by an increase of 2-methylbutyrylglycine and 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine in blood and urine.

PRDX1 is part of the peroxiredoxin family of antioxidant enzymes, which reduce hydrogen peroxide and alkyl hydroperoxides. PRDX1 is an important protector of red blood cells against reactive oxygen species and in tumor prevention.
PRDX1 is antioxidant protective in cells, and contributes to the antiviral activity of CD8(+) T-cells. PRDX1 has a proliferative effect and is involved in cancer development or progression.
Peroxiredoxin-1 is plays a role in redox regulation of the cell. Peroxiredoxin decreases peroxides with reducing equivalents provided through the thioredoxin system but not from glutaredoxin. Peroxiredoxin is involved in eliminating peroxides generated during metabolism. Peroxiredoxin participates in the signaling cascades of growth factors and TNF-alpha by regulating the intracellular concentrations of h(2)o(2).

Diphosphomevalonate decarboxylase (MVD) catalyzes the conversion of mevalonate pyrophosphate into isopentenyl pyrophosphate in one of the early steps in cholesterol biosynthesis. MVD decarboxylates and dehydrates its substrate while hydrolyzing ATP. MVD is expressed in the heart, skeletal muscle, lung, liver, brain, pancreas, kidney and placenta.

PPCDC is a member of the HFCD (homo oligomeric flavin containing Cys decarboxylase) superfamily which takes a part in the biosynthesis of coenzyme A (CoA) from pantothenate (Vitamin B). The biosynthesis of CoA from pantothenate needs several steps: the phosphorylation of pantothenate, the conversion of 4’-hosphopantothenate to 4''-phosphopantetheine, the adenylation by phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase to form dephospho-CoA and the phosphorylation by dephospho-CoA kinase to form CoA. PPCDC is a key player in this pathway. PPCDC converts 4''-phosphopantothenate into 4''-phosphopantetheine.

Acyl-CoA synthetase family member 2, also known as ACSF2 is a member of the ATP-dependent AMP-binding enzyme family. Acyl-CoA synthetases are a family of enzymes which catalyze the thioesterification of fatty acids with coenzymeA to form activated intermediates, which play a basic part in lipid metabolism as well as homeostasis of lipid-related processes. ACSF2 is required for the complex of lipid synthesis, energy production via beta-oxidation, protein acylation and fatty-acid dependent transcriptional regulation. Moreover, ACSF2 is required for fatty acid import into cells by the process of vectorial acylation.

SCO Cytochrome Oxidase Deficient Homolog 1, also known as SCO1 is a member of the SCO1/2 family. Mammalian cytochrome c oxidase (COX) catalyzes the transfer of reducing equivalents from cytochrome c to molecular oxygen and pumps protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Furthermore, in yeast, two related COX assembly genes, SCO1 & SCO2 which are synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase, enable subunits 1 as well as 2 to be incorporated into the holoprotein. This gene is the human homolog to the yeast SCO1 gene. Among the diseases associated with SCO1 are hepatic failure, early-onset, neurologic disorder due to cytochrome c oxidase deficiency and fatal infantile cytochrome c oxidase deficiency.

C1q is the first component of the classical pathway of complement activation. C1q along with the enzymatically active components C1r and C1s forms the C1 complex. When C1 binds to immunoglobulins in the form of immune complexes, it leads to activation of C1r and C1s proteases and a further activates the classical pathway of complement.
C1q is a glycoprotein that belongs to the collectin family, having a molecular weight of about 410-462 kDa. C1q is a hexamer composed of globular heads attached to collagen-like triple-helix tails. The globular heads of C1q exclusively bind to the CH2 domain of IgG molecules or the CH3 domain of IgM. Each heavy chain of the immunoglobulin molecule contains a single binding site for C1q. Given that C1q must bind to no less than two heavy chains in order to alter its conformation and activate C1r and C1s, its activation follows only after binding to immunoglobulins in the form of immune complexes bound to multivalent antigens. C1q’s main physiological role is in the clearance of immune complexes and apoptotic bodies from the organism. Interruption of this process may lead to development of autoimmunity. Individuals with genetic deficiencies of C1q or other components of the classical pathway are at risk to develop SLE. C1q specifically binds to apoptotic bodies of human keratinocytes, vascular endothelial cells and lymphocytes. Complement components C1q and bound C3 mediate the clearance of apoptotic bodies. Hence, C1q may advance the clearance of autoantigens, avoiding stimulation of the immune system. Nonetheless, an extended exposition of the immune system to the neoepitope exposed on C1q molecules bound to immune complexes or apoptotic bodies could ultimately lead to an autoimmune response against C1q itself and to an altered complement function. C1q deficiency may also lead to disruption of the negative selection of autoreactive B cells. C1q along with other specific recognition proteins bind to the highly conserved lupus antigens (dsDNA and nuclear proteins) and activate the complement system. Autoantibodies against C1q (anti-C1q) are found in a number of autoimmune and infectious diseases like glomerulonephritis (GN) and lupus erythematosus (SLE), these antibodies are significant in clinical practice due to their negative predictive value.

Uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG), or uracil-DNA glycosylase 1, is a crucial enzyme found in all life forms, involved in repairing damaged DNA by specifically removing uracil bases that are misincorporated into DNA during replication or deaminated cytosine. In various organisms, UDG goes by different names, such as b2580, JW2564, EC 3.2.2.27, DGU, UNG15, HIGM5, EC 3.2.2, HIGM4, and UNG2. Here, we delve into the E. coli UDG, examining its structure, function, and applications in molecular biology.

Structure: The crystal structure of E. coli UDG has been extensively studied, revealing that it belongs to the uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG) superfamily. The E. coli UDG monomer has 229 amino acids with a molecular weight of 25 kDa. The protein has a beta-sheet-rich structure with an alpha-helix on one side and a groove on the other side that binds to DNA. The active site of E. coli UDG contains a conserved glutamic acid residue that acts as a catalytic base to facilitate the hydrolysis of the N-glycosidic bond between uracil and the sugar phosphate backbone.

Function: E. coli UDG plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the genome by preventing the accumulation of mutations that can arise from the incorporation of uracil into DNA. Uracil in DNA can occur spontaneously from the deamination of cytosine or can be incorporated during DNA synthesis when dUTP is used instead of dTTP. Unrepaired uracil bases can lead to DNA damage and genomic instability, possibly resulting in cell death or disease. E. coli UDG specifically recognizes and removes uracil bases from DNA, creating an abasic site that is further processed by other repair enzymes.