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Matrix metalloproteinases are a family of zinc and calcium-dependent endopeptidases that break down extracellular matrix proteins. The MMP9 is secreted as a 92kDa zymogen. Cleavage of ProMMP-9 results in the active enzyme, having a molecular weight of approximately 82kDa. MMP9 is composed of the following domains: a gelatin-binding domain consisting of three fibronectin type II units, a catalytic domain containing the zinc-binding site, a proline-rich type V collagen-homologous domain and a hemopexin-like domain. MMP9 is produced by the several cell types: monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, osteoclasts and endothelial cells. MMP9 is involved in inflammatory responses, tissue remodeling, wound healing, tumor growth and metastasis. MMP9 may also play an important part in local proteolysis of the extracellular matrix and in leukocyte migration, as well as in bone osteoclastic resorption. MMP9 cleaves type IV and type V collagens into large C-terminal three quarter fragments and shorter N-terminal one quarter fragments. MMP9 can also degrade fibronectin but not laminin or Pz-peptide.
MMP9 defects may be a cause of susceptibility to intervertebral disc disease (IDD), also known as lumbar disk herniation (LDH).

Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase-2, aka ENPP2, a part of the ectonucleotide pyrophosphatasefamily. ENPP2 is able to cut the phosphodiester bond between the alpha and the beta position of triphosphate nucleotides, acting as an ectonucleotide phosphodiesterase producing pyrophosphate, as most members of the ENPP family. It is unlike ENPP-1 and ENPP-3, has weak activity against nucleotides, but shows a lysophospholipase D activity which allows the formation of LPA and choline from lysophosphatidylcholine. As well, ENPP-2 and LPA are involved in several inflammatory-driven diseases such as arthritis and asthma.

Heparanase is an endo ß-D-glucuronidase, which degrades heparan sulfate side chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in the extracellular matrix. Heparanase plays an important role in ECM degradation, facilitating the migration and extravasation of tumor cells and inflammatory leukocytes (1,2,3). Upon degradation, heparanase releases growth factors and cytokines that stimulate cell proliferation and chemotaxis (4,5). Heparanase is a heterodimer comprised of a 50 kDa subunit harboring the active site and a 8 kDa subunit. It is produced as a latent 65 kDa precursor and proteolytically processed to its active form (1,6). Heparanase is highly expressed in myeloid leukocytes (i.e. neutrophils) in platelets and in human placenta. Human heparanase was found to be upregulated in various types of primary tumors, correlating in some cases with increased tumor invasiveness and vascularity and with poor prospective survival (7,8).

Glutathione S-transferase, also known as GST, is an antioxidant enzyme. It is the primary defense mechanism from reactive oxygen in the cell. The enzyme GST reduces hydroperoxides of lipids via a Se-independent glutathione peroxidase actions. GST detoxifies peroxidation of lipids bi-products, for example 4-hydroxynonenal.

The three isoenzymes (MM, MB, and BB) are found in muscle, cardiac and brain tissues. These recombinant proteins are ideal for calibrating diagnostic instruments and researching neuromuscular diseases. Creatine Kinases can be used for indications in many neuromuscular applications. These disorders include cardiac disease, mitochondrial disorders, inflammatory myopathies, myasthenia, polymyositis, McArdle's disease, NMJ disorders, muscular dystrophy, ALS, hypo and hyperthyroid disorders, central core disease, acid maltase deficiency, myoglobinuria, rhabdomyolysis, motor neuron diseases, rheumatic diseases, and other that create elevated or reduced levels of Creatine Kinases.

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-2 (Serpine2) which inhibits thrombin, plasmin and plasminogen activators is a part of the Serpin superfamily of the serine protease inhibitors. Serpine2 is able to transform human embryonic kidney cells into neuron-like cells. Furthermore, Serpine2's over expression in mice leads to progressive neuronal and motor dysfunction.

Peroxisome proliferators are non-genotoxic carcinogens which are purported to exert their effect on cells through their interaction with members of the nuclear hormone receptor family termed peroxisome proliferators activated receptors (PPARs). Nuclear hormone receptors are ligand-dependent intracellular proteins that stimulate transcription of specific genes by binding to specific DNA sequences following activation by the appropriate ligand. Studies indicate that PPARs are activated by peroxisome proliferators such as clofibric acid, nafenopin, and WY-14,643, as well as by some fatty acids.

PPA1 is a member of the PPase family. PPA1 catalyzes the conversion of one molecule of pyrophosphate to two phosphate ions. Many biochemical pathways use the hydrolysis of PPi to two phosphate ions to make the reactions permanently irreversible. A prominent illustration of this phenomenon is the inorganic pyrophosphatase catalyzation in the hydrolysis reaction at the beginning of lipid degradation. Inorganic pyrophosphatase provides the motivation for the activation of fatty acids destined for oxidation by stimulating the rapid hydrolysis of pyrophosphate.

The proteasome is a multicatalytic proteinase complex which holds an extremely organized 20S core structure shaped like a ring. The central structure is assembled from 4 rings of 28 non-identical subunits; 2 rings are composed of 7 alpha subunits and 2 rings are composed of 7 beta subunits. There is a high concentration of proteasomes all over the eukaryotic cells and their job is to cleave peptides in an ATP/ubiquitin-dependent procedure in a non-lysosomal pathway. PSMA3 encodes several of the peptidase T1A family which is a 20S core alpha subunit. Two alternative transcripts encoding diverse isoforms were recognized.

PKLR is a pyruvate kinase which catalyzes the transphosphorylation of phohsphoenolpyruvate into pyruvate and ATP. That is the rate-limiting step of glycolysis. PKLR gene encodes the L- and R-type isoenzymes through alternate splicing events controlled by different promoters. L-type isoform can also appear as a tetramer and is upregulated by glucose with implications in maturity-onset diabetes of the young.

Aminoacylase-1 is a cytosolic, homodimeric, zinc-binding enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of acylated L-amino acids to L-amino acids and acyl group, and has been postulated to function in the catabolism and salvage of acylated amino acids. ACY1 has been assigned to chromosome 3p21.1, a region reduced to homozygosity in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), and its expression has been reported to be reduced or undetectable in SCLC cell lines and tumors. The amino acid sequence of human aminoacylase-1 is highly homologous to the porcine counterpart, and ACY1 is the first member of a new family of zinc-binding enzymes.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is a type IV collagenase, which is involved in endometrial menstrual breakdown, regulation of vascularization and the inflammatory response. MMP-2 contains a number of distinct domains: a prodomain that is cleaved upon activation; a catalytic domain containing the zinc binding site; a fibronectin like domain believed to have a role in substrate targeting; and a carboxyl terminal (hemopexin like) domain containing 2 N-linked glycosylation. The MMP-2 can degrade an extensive array of substrates including type IV, V, VII and X collagens as well as gelatin type I. In addition, MMP-2 interacts with THBS2, TIMP2, Thrombospondin 1, CCL7 and TIMP4. MMP-2 autocatalytic cleavage in the C-terminal generates the anti-angiogenic peptide, PEX. This process seems to be made possible by binding integrinv/beta3. Defects in the MMP-2 are the cause of Torg-Winchester syndrome (TWS), aka multicentric osteolysis nodulosis and arthropathy (MONA).

ARG2 participates in the regulation of extra-urea cycle arginine metabolism and also in down-regulation of nitric oxide synthesis. Extrahepatic arginase functions to regulate L-arginine bioavailability to NO synthase. Since NO synthase is found in the penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle, the clitoral corpus cavernosum and the vagina, ARG2 takes part in both male and female sexual arousal and therefore a potential target for the treatment of male and female sexual arousal disorders.

Mycobacterium antigen ESAT6 has been isolated from low molecular weight fractions of the shot-term-culture filtrate (ST-CF) and it can easily be detected in tuberculosis patients. The export of ESAT-6 which is a potent T-cell antigen, and related proteins requires a dedicated secretory apparatus that is encoded by a group of genes, several of which also code for proteins that are recognized strongly by T cells. The ESAT-6 systems can consequently be considered as immunogenicity islands and there is mounting evidence that the equivalent genes are subject to selective pressure imposed by the immune system of the host. This antigen includes many epitopes detectable in the serum of most patients with tuberculosis (more than 90%). By the attempts to obtain the vaccine on the basis of ESAT-6 it was demonstrated that the optimization of adjuvant is very important when using the combination of dioctadecylammonium bromide and monophosphoryllipide. ESAT-6 is very potential as diagnostic for differentiation between the mycobacterial infection and BCG vaccination. The main topic in ESAT-6 using is in antibody production and in test-systems for tuberculosis elaboration. Early secretory antigen 6 (ESAT6) and cell filtrate protein 10 (CFP10) are 2 antigens secreted as a complex by the replicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC).

Uromodulin is the most abundant protein in normal urine. Its secretion in urine follows proteolytic cleavage of the ectodomain of its glycosyl phosphatidylinosital-anchored counterpart that is situated on the luminal cell surface of the loop of Henle. Uromodulin plays a role as a constitutive inhibitor of calcium crystallization in renal fluids. Secretion of uromodulin in urine provides protection against urinary tract infections caused by uropathogenic bacteria. Defects in Uromodulin expression are associated with the autosomal dominant renal disorders medullary cystic kidney disease-2 (MCKD2) and familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy (FJHN). These disorders are characterized by juvenile onset of hyperuricemia, gout, and progressive renal failure. While several transcript variants may exist for this gene, the full-length natures of only two have been described to date. UMOD is involved in regulating the circulating activity of cytokines as it binds to il-1, il-2 and tnf with high affinity.

ASS1 is involved in the urea cycle, which is a sequence of chemical reactions that is localized in liver cells. The urea cycle processes excess nitrogen that is generated as the body uses proteins. The surplus nitrogen is used to create a molecule called urea, which is excreted from the body in urine.

Borrelia belongs to a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. Borrelia causes borreliosis, which is a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted mainly by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species. Of the 36 known species of Borrelia, 12 are distinguished to cause Lyme disease or borreliosis and are transmitted by ticks. The main Borrelia species causing Lyme disease are Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. The Borrelia genus members have a linear chromosome which is about 900 kbp in length as well as an excess of both linear and circular plasmids in the 5-220 kbp size range. The plasmids are atypical, as compared to most bacterial plasmids, since they contain many paralogous sequences, a large number of pseudogenes and, in some cases, essential genes. Moreover, a number of the plasmids have features suggesting that they are prophages.

Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma Chromosome Region, Candidate 1 (ASPSCR1) contains a UBX domain and interacts with glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). ASPSCR1 is a tether, which sequesters the GLUT4 in intracellular vesicles in muscle and fat cells, and redistributes the GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. Translocation t(X;17)(p11;q25) of this ASPSCR1 with transcription factor TFE3 gene ends with a ASPSCR1-TFE3 fusion protein in alveolar soft part sarcoma and in renal cell carcinomas.

Mycobacterium antigen ESAT-6 has been isolated from low molecular weight fractions of the shot-term-culture filtrate (ST-CF) and it can easily be detected in tuberculosis patients.
The export of ESAT-6 which is a potent T-cell antigen, and related proteins requires a dedicated secretory apparatus that is encoded by a group of genes, several of which also code for proteins that are recognized strongly by T cells. The ESAT-6 systems can consequently be considered as immunogenicity islands and there is mounting evidence that the equivalent genes are subject to selective pressure imposed by the immune system of the host.
This antigen includes many epitopes detectable in the serum of most patients with tuberculosis (more than 90%). By the attempts to obtain the vaccine on the basis of ESAT-6 it was demonstrated that the optimization of adjuvant is very important when using the combination of dioctadecylammonium bromide and monophosphoryllipide.
Recently it was shown that ESAT-6 is very potential as diagnostic for differentiation between the mycobacterial infection and BCG vaccination. The main topic in ESAT-6 using is in antibody production and in test-systems for tuberculosis elaboration.

MGMT is an enzyme that repairs O-6-methylguanine, a mutagenic DNA base damaged by endogenous and environmental alkylating agents and takes part in the cellular defense against the biological effects of O-6-methylguanine in DNA. MGMT repairs alkylated guanine in DNA by stoichiometrically transferring the alkyl group at the O-6 position to a cysteine residue in the enzyme. abnormal MGMT expression correlates with the prognosis in human solid cancers. MGMT decrease of expression is correlated with methylation. The human MGMT is a negative regulator of estrogen receptor-mediated transcription upon alkylation DNA damage. MGMT promoter hypermethylation plays an important role in the early steps of colorectal carcinogenesis. Abnormal promoter hypermethylation of MGMT gene is associated with oral squamous cell carcinomas.

PDIA6 belongs to the protein disulfide isomerase family (PDI). PDIA6 is an enzyme in the endoplasmic reticulum in eukaryotes or periplasmic space of prokaryotes which catalyzes the formation and breakage of disulfide bonds between cysteine residues within proteins as they fold. PDIA6 functions as a chaperone that inhibits aggregation of misfolded proteins. PDIA6, also has a role in platelet aggregation and activation by agonists such as convulxin, collagen and thrombin.

Chymotrypsinogen-B1 (CTRB1) belongs to the serine protease family of enzymes and forms a main precursor of the pancreatic proteolytic enzymes. CTRB1 is located next to a related chymotrypsinogen gene. CTRB1 is a protein coding gene which encodes different isoforms which may undergo similar processing to generate the mature protein.

DCTD is an allosteric enzyme that exists as a homohexamer and is part of the cytidine and deoxycytidylate deaminase protein family. DTCD uses zinc as a cofactor to catalyze the deamination of dCMP to dUMP, thus making the nucleotide substrate (dUMP) that is used by thymidylate synthase.

Trypsin (EC3.4.21.4) is part of the serine protease family. Trypsin cleaves lysine and arginine at the C-terminal side of the peptide. The hydrolysis rate is slower if an acidic residue is on either sides of the cleavage site and no cleavage occurs if a proline residue is on the carboxyl side of the cleavage site. Trypsin optimum pH is pH-7 to 9. Trypsin will also hydrolyze ester and amide linkages of synthetic derivatives of amino acids such as: benzoyl L-arginine ethyl ester (BAEE), p-toluenesulfonyl- L-arginine methyl ester (TAME), tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester, N-α-benzoyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide (BAPNA), L-lysyl-p-nitroanilide, and benzoyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester (BTEE). Serine protease inhibitors that inhibit recombinant trypsin include TLCK (N-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone), PMSF (phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride), benzamidine, soybean trypsin inhibitor, and ovomucoid.