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CtBP was initially known as a cellular protein which cooperates with a C-terminal motif of adenovirus E1A oncoproteins. C-terminal-binding protein is extremely conserved in higher eukaryotes. Vertebrates hold two highly homologous CtBP proteins (CtBP1 and CtBP2) while invertebrates h a single CtBP. CtBP family proteins has a significant sequence homology with D-2-hydroxy acid dehydrogenases. In addition, CtBP proteins cooperates with numerous proteins and functions as a co-repressor of transcription.

DYNLL1 is a protein that cooperates with NOS1 causing NOS1 inhibition. Binding of DYNLL1 weakens NOS1 (Neuronal nitric oxide synthase) dimer, a conformation needed for activity, and it regulates several biologic processes through its effects on nitric oxide synthase activity. DYNLL1 is a ubiquitously expressed protein that demonstrates high expression in testis and moderate expression in brain.

Ectodysplasin A Receptor, also known as EDAR belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. EDAR is a receptor for the soluble ligand ectodysplasin A, and is capable of activating the nuclear factor-kappaB, JNK, as well as caspase-independent cell death pathways. EDAR is necessary for the development of hair, teeth, and other ectodermal derivatives. Furthermore, mutations in EDAR resulted in autosomal dominant and recessive forms of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B) is a member of the Cip/Kip family of cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor proteins. The CDKN1B protein binds to and prevents the activation of cyclin E-CDK2 or cyclin D-CDK4 complexes, and so controls the cell cycle progression at G1. CDKN1B is often referred to as a cell cycle inhibitor protein since its major function is to stop or slow down the cell division cycle. The degradation of the CDKN1B protein, which is triggered by its CDK dependent phosphorylation and ensuing ubiquitination by SCF complexes, is compulsory for the cellular transition from inactive to the proliferative state.

Defensins form a family of microbicidal and cytotoxic peptides made by neutrophils. Members of the defensin family are highly similar in protein sequence. This gene encodes defensin, beta 103A, which has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and may play an important role in innate epithelial defense.

Human Secretin stimulates the secretion of bicarbonate by the pancreas and inhibits the production of gastrin and acid production in the stomach. It also potentiates the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas triggered by cholecystokinin.

Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. CSF-1 induces cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. It plays a role in immunological defenses, bone metabolism, lipoproteins clearance, fertility and pregnancy.

ASF1A is part of the H3/H4 family of histone chaperone proteins corresponding to the anti-silencing function-1 gene in yeast. ASF1A is an important element of the histone donor complex that functions in nucleosome assembly. ASF1A interacts with histones H3 and H4, and functions together with a chromatin assembly factor during DNA replication and repair. Deletion of ASF1A in yeast and Drosophila confers sensitivity to various DNA damaging agents and inhibitors of DNA replication, increases genomic instability and sister chromatid exchange, and activates the DNA damage checkpoint.

BIN1 is a nucleocytoplasmic adaptor protein, one of which was primarily identified as MYC-interacting protein having the characteristics of a tumor suppressor. BIN1 protein interacts with and inhibits the oncogenic activity of the myc oncoprotein that is a key player in many human cancers. The absence of Bin1 contributes to growth deregulation in cancer cells in carcinoma of the breast, colon, lung, cervix, prostate and liver.

Syntaxin 4 (STX4) is a member of the syntaxin/epimorphin family of proteins. The Syntaxin family is cellular receptors for transport vesicles which participate in exocytosis in neutrophils. Syntaxin 4 is vital for normal regulation of glucose metabolism uptake in skeletal muscle and decline in STX4 protein levels lead to reduction of whole-body hormone-stimulated glucose metabolism. STX4 is expressed in neutrophils and neutrophil-differentiated HL-60 cells. The STX4 expression in neutrophils increases with differentiation.

The Defensin family are highly similar in their protein sequence and are microbicidal & cytotoxic peptides made by neutrophils. Beta Defensin-1 is an antimicrobial peptide having the resistance of epithelial surfaces to microbial colonization. Beta Defensin-1 has close proximity to Defensin Alpha-1 and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis.
Skin of patients having atopic dermatitis patients and mycosis fungoides (non-lesional and lesional) show lower human Beta Defensin-1 mRNA expression and higher human Beta Defensin-2 and human Beta Defensin-3 mRNA expression.
Beta Defensin is highly expressed by epithelial cells.
Beta-defensin 1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of severe sepsis.

Melanotan and Melanotan-II are both analogs of the peptide hormone alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH) that tend to induce skin tanning. Unlike Melanotan, Melanotan-II has the additional effect of increasing libido. Melanotan II has aphrodisiac properties.

Resistin, a product of the RSTN gene, is a peptide hormone belongs to the class of cysteine-rich secreted proteins (monomeric peptide contains 11 cysteine residues) referred to as the RELM family, and is also described as ADSF (Adipose Tissue-Specific Secretory Factor) or FIZZ3 (Found in Inflammatory Zone 3). Resistin may be an important link between obesity. Mouse resistin, specifically produced and secreted by adipocyte, acts on skeletal muscle myocytes, hepatocytes and adipocytes themselves so that it reduces their sensitivity. Steppan et al. have suggested that resistin suppressed the ability to stimulate glucose uptake. They have also suggested that resistin was present at elevated levels in blood of obese mice, and was down regulated by fasting and by antidiabetic drugs. Way et al., on the other hand, have found that resistin expression is severely suppressed in obesity.
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.

MX2 is a member of 2 protein families: the dynamin family and the large GTPases family. MX2 has a cytoplasmic and nuclear structure which is found in a granular pattern in the heterochromatin region under the nuclear envelope. The nuclear form has a NLS (nuclear localization signal) at the amino terminal end however it is missing in the cytoplasmic form as a result of the use of a different translation start codon. MX2 is upregulated by IFN-a, but unlike myxovirus resistance protein 1 has no antiviral activity.

GDF8 is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. This gene is thought to encode a secreted protein which negatively regulates skeletal muscle growth.

Oncostatin M is a member of a cytokine family that includes leukemia-inhibitory factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin 6. This gene encodes a growth regulator which inhibits the proliferation of a number of tumor cell lines. It regulates cytokine production, including IL-6, G-CSF and GM-CSF from endothelial cells.

Stress-Induced Protein SAM22 (Gly m 4.0101) causes an allergic reaction in humans. Gly m 4 is the main soy allergen for patients allergic to birch pollen with soy allergy.

Hexarelin stimulates GH secretion. Hexarelin is more resistant to proteolytic degradation than GHRP-6.

XCL1 is a small cytokine belongs to the XC chemokine family that is also known as lymphotactin. XCL1 is found in high levels in spleen, thymus, intestine and peripheral blood leukocytes, and at lower levels in lung, prostate gland and ovary. Cellular sources for XCL1 include activated thymic and peripheral blood CD8+ T cells. This chemokine attracts T cells. In humans, XCL1 is closely related to XCL2, whose gene is found at the same locus on chromosome 1. XCL1 induces it chemotactic function by binding to a chemokine receptor called XCR1.

Desmin is a muscle-specific class III intermediate filament. Homopolymers of this protein form a stable intracytoplasmic filamentous network connecting myofibrils to each other and to the plasma membrane. Mutations in this gene are associated with desmin-related myopathy, a familial cardiac and skeletal myopathy (CSM), and with distal myopathies.

Neuromedin B (NMB) which is a part of the bombesin/neuromedin-B/ranatensin family and stimulates smooth muscle contraction in a way similar to that of bombesin.

Energy Homeostasis Associated (ENHO) participates in glucose homeostasis maintenance and lipid metabolism. ENHO is expressed in the liver and the brain. The role of ENHO in obesity or diabetes is studied.