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Adenylosuccinate lyase (ADSL) is an enzyme which converts adenylosuccinate to AMP and fumarate as part of the purine nucleotide cycle. ADSL is involved in both de novo synthesis of purines and formation of adenosine monophosphate from inosine monophosphate. ADSL catalyzes 2 reactions in AMP biosynthesis: the removal of a fumarate from succinylaminoimidazole carboxamide (SAICA) ribotide to yield aminoimidazole carboxamide ribotide (AICA) and removal of fumarate from adenylosuccinate to yield AMP. Defects in the ADSL are the cause of adenylosuccinase deficiency (ADSL deficiency). ADSL deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder distinguished by the accumulation in the body fluids of succinylaminoimidazole-carboxamide riboside (SAICA-riboside) and succinyladenosine (S-Ado). Adenylosuccinase deficiency results in succinylpurinemic autism, psychomotor retardation, and in some cases, growth retardation associated with muscle wasting and epilepsy.

TNFR binds specifically to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and blocks its interaction with cell surface TNF receptors. TNF is a naturally occurring cytokine that is involved in normal inflammatory and immune responses. It plays an important role in the inflammatory processes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polyarticular-course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), and ankylosing spondylitis and the resulting joint pathology. In addition, TNF plays a role in the inflammatory process of plaque psoriasis. Elevated levels of TNF are found in involved tissues and fluids of patients with RA, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and plaque psoriasis. Two distinct receptors for TNF (TNFRs), a 55 kilodalton protein (p55) and a 75 kilodalton protein (p75), exist naturally as monomeric molecules on cell surfaces and in soluble forms. Biological activity of TNF is dependent upon binding to either cell surface TNFR. Recombinant Human TNFR is a dimeric soluble form of the p75 TNF receptor that can bind to two TNF molecules.
It inhibits the activity of TNF in vitro and has been shown to affect several animal models of inflammation, including murine collagen-induced arthritis. TNFR inhibits binding of both TNF? and TNF? (lymphotoxin alpha [LT?]) to cell surface TNFRs, rendering TNF biologically inactive. Cells expressing transmembrane TNF that bind to TNFR are not lysed in vitro in the presence or absence of complement.
TNFR can also modulate biological responses that are induced or regulated by TNF, including expression of adhesion molecules responsible for leukocyte migration (i.e., E-selectin and to a lesser extent intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1]), serum levels of cytokines (e.g., IL-6), and serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3 or stromelysin).

Mitochondrial Ribosome Recycling Factor (MRRF) is a member of the RRF family. MRRF attaches to the large ribosomal subunit in the cleft which has a peptidyl transferase center. MRRF controls the release of ribosome from messenger RNA at the termination of protein biosynthesis. Also, it may intensify the efficacy of translation by recycling ribosome from one round of translation to another.

Inhibins are dimeric peptide hormones produced by female ovarian granulose cells and male Sertoli cells as well as a variety of other tissues. Inhibins have two isoforms, A and B, with the same alpha subunit but different beta subunits. Inhibin A is a dimer of alpha and beta A subunits, inhibin B is a dimer of alpha and beta B subunits.
Inhibins are thought to inhibit the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. In addition, Inhibins are also thought to play a role in the control of gametogenesis, and embryonic and fetal development.

TNFR1 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR1 is a receptor for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha.
There are 2 types of soluble TNF receptors: sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II, which act to neutralize the biological activities of TNF alpha and TNF beta. The levels of these soluble receptors seem to increase as a result of shedding of the extracellular domains of the membrane bound receptors. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.
TNFR1 is capable of signaling both cell survival and apoptosis. TNFR1-induced apoptosis requires 2 sequential signaling complexes. TNFR1 is capable of activating NF-kappaB, mediate apoptosis, and function as a regulator of inflammation. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNFR1 contributes to the induction of non-cytocidal TNF effects including anti-viral state and activation of the acid sphingomyelinase. Human TNFR1 has a major region which controls cell surface expression. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women.
Germline mutations of the extracellular domains of TNFR1 are linked to the autosomal dominant periodic fever syndrome. The impaired receptor clearance is believed to be a mechanism of the disease. Familial hibernian fever (FHF) is caused by defects in TNFRSF1A gene.

CIB1 (Calcium and integrin binding 1) is regulatory protein with 50% homology to calmodulin and calcineurin B, that encodes a member of the calcium-binding protein family. CIB1 interacts with DNA-dependent protein kinase and may play a role in kinase-phosphatase regulation of DNA end joining. Also CIB1 is widely expressed and binds to a number of effectors, such as integrin αIIb, PAK1, and polo-like kinases, in different tissues.

APOA, also known as Apolipoprotein A is a human protein with a specific role in lipid metabolism being the main protein component of HDL in the plasma. APOA1 promotes cholesterol efflux from tissues to the liver for excretion. Moreover, APOA1 is a cofactor for LCAT, which is responsible for the formation of most plasma cholesteryl esters. In addition, APOA1 activates spermatozoa motility as part of the SPAP complex. The APOA1 gene is highly related with 2 other apolipoprotein genes on chromosome 11.

The transcription of heat-shock genes is rapidly induced after temperature stress in response to environmental changes, and it is also involved in oogenesis, spermatogenesis, and placental development. Hsp90, is a major repressor of HSF1 gene. HSF1 is known for its participation in heat shock response. HSF1 protein regulates the transcription of hundreds of targets, such as genes involved in protein folding, detoxification, energy generation, carbohydrate metabolism, and cell wall organization. HSF1 binds to MTA1 in vitro & in breast carcinoma. Suppression of estrogen-dependent transcription may contribute to role of HSF1 in cancer. Human cancer lines of diverse origins express higher dependence on HSF1 function to maintain proliferation and survival than their non-transformed counterparts. HSF1 induces anticoagulation and relaxation factors in vascular endothelial cells and could therefore be used to treat cardiovascular disease. HSF1 is directly involved in the regulation of HO1 havi

STAT1 is a member of the Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcriptionfamily of transcription factors. STAT1 is involved in upregulating genes due to a signal by either type Ior type IIinterferons. In response to IFN-?stimulation, STAT1 forms homodimers or heterodimers with STAT3that bind to the GAS (Interferon-Gamma Activated Sequence) promoter element; in response to either IFN-? or IFN-?stimulation, STAT1 forms a heterodimer with STAT2that can bind the ISRE (Interferon Stimulated Response Element) promoter element. In either case, binding of the promoter element leads to an increased expression of ISG (Interferon Stimulated Genes).

SUMF1 is a part of the SUMF protein family. SUMF1 catalyzes the hydrolysis of sulfate esters by oxidizing a cysteine residue in the substrate sulfatase to an active site 3-oxoalanine residue called C-alpha-formylglycine. Mutations in this gene will cause multiple sulfatase deficiency meaning a lysosomal storage disorder.

Osteostat is the cytokine that binds to TNFRSF18/AITR/GITR and is important for interactions between activated T-lymphocytes and endothelial cells and may modulate T-lymphocyte survival in peripheral tissues. Osteostat is expressed at high levels in the small intestine, ovary, testis, kidney and endothelial cells after stimulation by lipopolysaccharides.
Osteostat protein is detectable in human microvascular EC and is highly up-regulated by IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. Osteostat inhibit differentiation of osteoclasts from monocytic precursor cells. Osteostat suppresses the early stage of osteoclastogenesis via inhibition of macrophage colony-stimulating factorinduced receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) expression in the osteoclast precursor cells. Osteostat does not inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced RANK expression in monocytes and dendritic cells, or activation-induced RANK expression in T cells. Osteostat is a novel regulator of osteoclast generation and substantiate the major role played by the endothelium in bone physiology.

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.

Fas and Fas Ligand (FasL) are members of the TNF superfamily and are type I and type II transmembrane proteins, respectively. Binding of FasL to Fas initiates apoptosis in Fas-bearing cells. The apoptosis mechanism involves the recruitment of pro-caspase 8 through an adaptor molecule named FADD followed by processing of the pro-enzyme to active forms. These active caspases subsequently cleave a variety of cellular substrates leading to the eventual cell death. sFasR is able to inhibit FasL-induced apoptosis by acting as a decoy receptor whicht serves as a sink for FasL. The full length Fas Receptor is a 319 a.a type I transmembrane protein, which contains a 157 a.a extracellular domain, a 17 a.a transmembrane domain, and 145 a.a cytoplasmic domain. The mature human Fas ECD shares 55%, 58%, a.a sequence identity with the mouse, rat, Fas, respectively.

Eotaxin-2, also called MPIF2 & Ck?6, is a novel CC chemokine produced by activated monocytes and T lymphocytes. Eotaxin-2 selectively chemoattracts cells expressing CCR3 including eosinophils, basophils, Th2 T cells, mast cells, and certain subsets of dendritic cells. Furthermore, Eotaxin-2 inhibits the proliferation of multipotential hematopoietic progenitor cells. The mature protein, which includes C-terminal truncation, contains 78 amino acids (92 amino acids for the mouse homolog, without C-terminal truncation).
CCL24 functions as a chemotactic chemokine for resting t-lymphocytes, and eosinophils. CCL24 has lower chemotactic activity for neutrophils but none for monocytes and activated lymphocytes. CCL24 is a strong suppressor of colony formation by a multipotential hematopoietic progenitor cell line and binds to CCR3.

EPM2A is a dual-specificity phosphatase which associates with polyribosomes. The EPM2A protein may be involved in the regulation of glycogen metabolism. Mutations in the EPM2A gene have been linked to myoclonic epilepsy of Lafora.

PLAUR is one of 2 activators which convert the extracellular zymogen plasminogen to plasmin, a serine protease involved in a various normal and pathological processes that require cell migration and/or tissue destruction. PLAUR protein is synthesized and released from cells as a single-chain proenzyme with narrow enzymatic activity and is converted to an active two-chain disulfide-linked active enzyme by plasmin and other specific proteinases.

IL3 is a potent growth promoting cytokine. This cytokine is capable of supporting the proliferation of a broad range of hematopoietic cell types. It is involved in a variety of cell activities such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. This cytokine has been shown to also possess neurotrophic activity, and it may be associated with neurologic disorders.

TNFR1 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR1 is a receptor for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha.
There are 2 types of soluble TNF receptors: sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II, which act to neutralize the biological activities of TNF alpha and TNF beta. The levels of these soluble receptors seem to increase as a result of shedding of the extracellular domains of the membrane bound receptors. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.
TNFR1 is capable of signaling both cell survival and apoptosis. TNFR1-induced apoptosis requires 2 sequential signaling complexes. TNFR1 is capable of activating NF-kappaB, mediate apoptosis, and function as a regulator of inflammation. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNFR1 contributes to the induction of non-cytocidal TNF effects including anti-viral state and activation of the acid sphingomyelinase. Human TNFR1 has a major region which controls cell surface expression. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women.
Germline mutations of the extracellular domains of TNFR1 are linked to the autosomal dominant periodic fever syndrome. The impaired receptor clearance is believed to be a mechanism of the disease. Familial hibernian fever (FHF) is caused by defects in TNFRSF1A gene.

The gene for TNFRSF12A was initially recognized as a fibroblast growth factor inducible immediate early response gene Fn14 in mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Human TNFRSF12A cDNA encodes a 129 amino acid residue type I transmembrane protein with a 27 aa signal peptide, a 53 aa extracellular domain, a 21 aa transmembrane domain and a 28 aa cytoplasmic domain. Human and mouse TNFRSF12A hold 82% aa sequence identity. TNFRSF12 is the tiniest member of the TNF receptor superfamily and has only one cysteine rich region in its extracellular domain. The TNFRSF12A cytoplasmic domain holds one TRAF binding motif which binds TRAFs 1, 2, and 3. TNFRSF12A binds its ligand TWEAK/TNFSF12A with high affinity to initiate a signal transduction cascade which subject to the cell type, causes different cellular responses such as cell death, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis.

SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) is small cytokine belonging to the chemokine family that is officially designated Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12). It is produced in two forms, SDF-1?/CXCL12a and SDF-1?/CXCL12b, by alternate splicing of the same gene. Chemokines are characterized by the presence of four conserved cysteines, which form two disulfide bonds. The CXCL12 proteins belong to the group of CXC chemokines, whose initial pair of cysteines are separated by one intervening amino acid. CXCL12 is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and has been implicated as an important cell co-ordinator during development. During embryogenesis it directs the migration of hematopoietic cells from foetal liver to bone marrow. Mice which were knocked-out for CXCL12 gene were lethal before the birth or within just 1 hour of life. As another role, CXCL12a alters also the electrophysiology of neurons. CXCL12 was shown to be expressend in many tissues in mice (including brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and bone marrow).
The receptor for this chemokine is CXCR4, which was previously called fusin. This CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction used to be considered exclusive (unlike for other chemokines and their receptors), but recently it was suggested that CXCL12 is also bound by CXCR7 receptor.
The gene for CXCL12 is located on human chromosome 10. In human and mouse both CXCL12 and CXCR4 show high identity of sequence: 99% and 90%, respectively.

POU2AF1 is a lymphocyte specific transcription coactivator protein. POU2AF1 cooperates only with the Oct1/2 proteins using sub domains in the POU domain of the Oct1/2 proteins, increasing their transcriptional efficiency. Even though POU2AF1 have no basic ability to bind DNA, it links firmly with the octomer motif in the presence of Oct1 and Oct2. POU2AF1 is expressed at maximum levels in spleen and peripheral blood leukocytes.

KIAA0101 is a PCNA-binding protein which performs as a regulator of DNA repair all through DNA replication. Subsequent to DNA mutilation, the collaboration with PCNA is interrupted, enabling the interaction between monoubiquitinated PCNA and the translesion DNA synthesis DNA polymerase eta (POLH) at stalled replisomes, assisting the bypass of replication-fork-blocking lesions. Additionally, KIAA0101 performs as a controller of centrosome number.

Vimentin expression in human malignant glioma cells depends on cellular density, algorithms of drug delivery and chemo/radio treatment. Vimentin and detyrosinated microtubules provide structural support for the extensive microtentacles observed in detached tumor cells and a mechanism to promote successful metastatic spread. Primary colorectal carcinomas display aberrant expression of vimentin, and have activated Notch and TGFbeta signaling pathways. Vimentin is a strong arterial substrate for transglutaminases. Transglutaminase-mediated vimentin dimerization results in a novel unifying pathway by which vasodilatory and remodeling responses may be regulated. Ablation of vimentin expression inhibits migration and invasion of colon and breast cancer cell lines. Vimentin is the main intermediate filament protein in mesenchymal cells and is therefore of value in the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated neoplasms.