Search results

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein FABP4 is a 15 kDa member of the intracellular fatty acid binding protein (FABP) family, which is known for the ability to bind fatty acids and related compounds (bile acids or retinoids) in an internal cavity. FABP4 is expressed in a differentiation-dependent fashion in adipocytes and is a critical gene in the regulation of the biological function of these cells.
In mice, targeted mutations in FABP4 provide significant protection from hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in the context of both dietary and genetic obesity. Adipocytes obtained from FABP4-deficient mice also have reduced efficiency of ipolysis in vitro and in vivo, and these mice exhibited moderately improved systemic dyslipidemia. Recent studies also demonstrated FABP4 expression in macrophages upon differentiation and activation. In these cells, FABP4 modulates inflammatory responses and cholesterol ester accumulation, and total or macrophage-specific FABP4 deficiency confers dramatic protection against atherosclerosis in the apoE-/- mice. These results indicate a central role for FABP4 in the development of major components of the metabolic syndrome through its distinct actions in adipocytes and macrophages.

RELM-beta (Resistin-Like Molecule-beta) is a member of a recently identified family of secreted proteins containing a conserved cystein-rich C-terminus. The RELM family consists of resistin (also called FIZZ3), RELM-alfa (FIZZ1), RELM-beta (FIZZ2) and RELM-gamma. Only resisistin and RELM-beta were found in humans whereas all four RELM family members were identified in rodents.
RELM-beta appears to be produced as a homodimer exclusively by intestinal goblet cells and can be found in high quantities in stool. Remarkably, stool of germ-free mice displaying sterile intestinal tract does not contain RELM-beta until bacterial colonization takes place after pathogen-free mice entered natural environment. Some, but not all, colon carcinoma cell lines secrete RELM-beta into the cell culture supernatant.
The physiological function of RELM-beta is not known. High doses of recombinant RELM-beta showed hyperglycemic effects including lowered glucose disposal and increased hepatic glucose production in mice.

RUNX3 is part of the RUNX family that mediates the expression of genes which participate in cellular differentiation and cell cycle progression. RUNX3 heterodimer and the beta subunit form a complex that binds to the core DNA sequence 5''-PYGPYGGT-3'' found in several enhancers and promoters, and can either activate or suppress transcription. RUNX3 interacts with additional transcription factors. RUNX3 is a good candidate for gastric cancer tumor suppressor diagnosis.

NELFE is a vital component of NELF complex which represses RNA polymerase II transcript elongation. NELFE is similar to nuclear RNA-binding proteins but does not bind RNA. NELFE contains a tract of alternating basic and acidic residues, mainly arginine and aspartic acid.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP-4) is a part of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) family. IGFBP4 includes an IGFBP domain and a thyroglobulin type-I domain. IGFBP4 binds both insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) I and II. IGFBP-4 circulates in the plasma in both glycosylated and non-glycosylated forms. IGFBPs can either inhibit or enhance the biological activities of IGF, or act in an IGF independent manner. IGFBP-4 is consistently inhibits several cancer cells in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that it may function as an apoptotic factor. IGFBP4 is produced by all colon cancer cells. Binding of IGFBP-4 prolongs the half-life of the IGFs and changes their interaction with cell surface receptors.

PEBP1 (Phosphatidylethanolamine binding protein 1) belongs to the phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein family and a serine protease inhibitor that inhibits thrombin, neuropsin. PEBP1 plays a key modulatory part in several protein kinase signaling cascades. PKC phosphorylates PEBP1, resulting in the release of Raf-1 and activation of MEK and ERK. PEBP1 is expressed in many tissues and implicated in the regulation of such physiological processes as membrane biosynthesis, spermatogenesis, neural development, and metastasis suppression.
PEBP1 binds ATP, opioids and phosphatidylethanolamine, however it has lower affinity for phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine. PEBP1 may also be involved in the function of the presynaptic cholinergic neurons of the CNS. PEBP1 increases the production of choline acetyltransferase although not acetylcholinesterase. Furtheremore, PEBP1 functions in potentially sequestering toxic compounds, including locostatin which may have harmful effects on cells.
Loss of PEBP1 expression may have a significant role as prognostic marker in Gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In addition, PEBP1 is found differentially expressed in the Wernicke's Area from schizophrenia patients. PEBP1 is also, an invasion suppressor protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Integrin Beta 3 Binding Protein (ITGB3BP1) is a broadly expressed protein which contains a DD1 or RepD1 domain and an LXXLL motif. ITGB3BP1 functions as a nuclear receptor coactivator while induced by estrogen. ITGB3BP1 is also relates with the CENP-A-CAD complex that is engaged in mitotic progression, the assembly of kinetochore proteins and chromosome segregation. ITGB3BP1 behave s as a transcriptional corepressor via its interaction with the NFKB1 NF-kappa-B subunit by interfering with the transactivation domain of NFKB1.

Heme Binding Protein 1 (HEBP1) is an intracellular tetrapyrrole-binding protein. HEBP1 is comprised of a natural chemoattractant peptide of 21 amino acids at the N-terminus, which is a natural ligand for formyl peptide receptor-like receptor 2 (FPRL2) and stimulates calcium mobilization and chemotaxis in monocytes and dendritic cells.

Heat Shock Factor Binding Protein 1-Like 1 (HSBP1L1) is a part of a family of eukaryotic proteins known as nucleotide exchange factors for HSP 70. HSBP1L1 is a protein coding gene whose expression is regulated mainly at the transcription level.

HINT1, also known as Histidine triad nucleotide-binding protein 1 is part of the superfamily named for a near C-terminal HXHXHXX motif (H:Histidine, X:a hydrophobic amino acid) positioned at the ?-phosphate of nucleotide substrates. HINT1 hydrolyzes adenosine 5'-monophosphoramidate substrates such as AMP-morpholidate, AMP-N-alanine methyl ester, AMP-alpha-acetyl lysine methyl ester and AMP-NH2. Though it was initially considered to be a protein kinase C inhibitor and act as a haplod-insufficient tumor suppressor including spontaneous tumor formation in Hint+/- and Hint-/- , its actual physiologic function is not known.

Trafficking protein particle complex 4 (TRAPPC4) is part of the multisubunit TRAPP (transport protein particle) complex and interacts with SDC2. TRAPPC4 has a role in vesicular transport from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi.

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.

TIPIN is a member of the CSM3 family. TIPIN protein is essential for normal advancement of S-phase and vital for cell existence after DNA damage or replication stress. TIPIN is specifically necessary for the ATR - CHEK1 pathway in the replication checkpoint induced by ultraviolet light.

Protein A is a cell wall component produced by several strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The recombinant Protein A is genetically engineered protein and holds 5 IgG-binding regions of protein A. Recombinant Protein A functions basically the same as native Protein A and is perfect for purification of polyclonal or monoclonal IgG antibodies. Protein A binds to human IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4, mouse IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 and rat IgG2c. Protein A also binds to total IgG from rabbit, pig, dog, cat, and guinea pig.

Cellular nucleic acid-binding protein (CNBP) is a nucleic-acid binding protein with seven zinc-finger domains, which has a preference for binding single stranded DNA and RNA. CNBP serves in cap-independent translation of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA, and also in sterol-mediated transcriptional regulation. The expansion of A CCTG in CNBP protein’s first intron results in myotonic dystrophy type 2.

RDBP is a putative RNA binding protein. RDBP protein is one of the five components of the multisubunit NELF complex which collaborates with DSIF to repress RNA polymerase II elongation. Control of transcription elongation needs a complex interaction between positive transcription elongation factor b and negative transcription elongation factors, DSIF and NELF. DSIF and NELF, act as negative transcription elongation factors by increasing the time the polymerase spends at pause sites. RDBP has a functional RNA-binding domain, whose mutations impair transcription repression without affecting known protein-protein interactions.

SH3 domain-binding glutamic acid-rich-like protein 3 (SH3BGRL3) which is located on chromosome 1p34.3-35, encodes for a small 93 amino acids protein. SH3BGRL3 is the newest member of thioredoxin super family, whose posttranslational altered form was recognized as TNF-alpha inhibitory protein. SH3BGRL3 may act as a regulator in all-trans retinoic acid-induced pathway and also as a modulator of glutaredoxin biological activity.

LRP2 Binding Protein (LRP2BP) is a protein coding gene which plays a role as an adapter that controls LRP2 function. LRP2BP is noticed in a vesicular staining pattern close to the plasma membrane and through the cytoplasm.

Zinc Binding Alcohol Dehydrogenase Domain Containing 2, also known as ZADH2, is a protein coding gene which is a part of the zinc-containing alcohol dehydrogenase family.

CTBP1 participates in controlling the equilibrium between tubular and stacked structures in the Golgi complex. CTBP1 functions in brown adipose tissue differentiation. CTBP1 has dehydrogenase activity. CTBP1 binds to the C-terminus of adenovirus E1A proteins. CTBP1 phosphoprotein is a transcriptional repressor and that takes part during cellular proliferation. CTBP1 & CTBP2 can dimerize and interact with a polycomb group protein complex which is involved in regulation of gene expression during development.

STAR facilitates the fast increase in pregnenolone synthesis stimulated by tropic hormones. STAR increases pregnenolone synthesis more than four-fold and a major STAR transcription of 1.6 kb is observed in ovary and testis. Throughout the growth and differentiation period of the ovary follicle, the immunoreactivity is likely to move from the granulosa cells of early antral follicles to the theca cell layers in the adult.

Alpha 1-microglobulin (A1M) is a lipocalin superfamily member (kernal lipocalins). A1M is a low molecular weight protein component of plasma. A1M is distributed in plasma and extravascular compartments of all organs. Alpha-1 Microglobulin is found in mammals, birds, amphibians and fish. The primary sites of A1M synthesis are the liver and the kidney. Around the opening of the lipocalin pocket three lysyl residues are situated; those residues carry yellow-brown modification derived from the binding and degradation of heme and kynurenin (a tryptophan metabolite). A1-Microglobulin’s reductase and dehydrogenase have broad biological substrate specificity properties due to its’ free cysteine side-chain which is located in a flexible loop. Alpha-1-microglobulin is glycosylated by three separate carbohydrate chains: two complex carbohydrates which are N-linked to asparagines at residues 17 and 96, and the other simple carbohydrate which is O-linked to threonine at position 5. The carbohydrates comprise 22% of the total molecular mass of the protein. The glycosylation varies between species.
A1M exists in two forms- a free form and complexed to other macromolecules: in humans- complexed to immunoglobulin A (IgA), in rat- complexed to alpha-1-inhibitor-3. Free A1M is exceptionally heterogeneous in charge (therefore also known as protein HC), and is found tightly linked to a chromophore. The free Alpha-1-microglobulin is a monomeric protein composed of one 188 residue polypeptide and contains three cysteines, two of which (residues 75 and 173) form a conserved intra-molecular disulphide link. The chromophoric group is covalently bound to the free cysteine residue at position 34. A1M binds retinol as a major ligand, but this is probably distinct from its covalent chromophore.
Half of all human plasma A1M (approximately 0.03mg/ml) forms a 1:1 complex with about 5% of plasma immunoglobulin A. The resulting macromolecular complexes’ molecular weight is 200000, and a plasma concentration of 0.3mg/ml. The complex can exhibit both antibody activity and affect many of the biological actions of free Alpha-1-microglobulin.
Alpha-1-microglobulin was first discovered in pathological human urine.
It was suggested that A1M might be involved in tissue defense against reactive oxygen species, oxidation by heme and kynurenin. Evidence also suggests that A1M functions in the regulation of the immune system. Other functions include inhibition of stimulation of cultured lymphocytes by protein antigens; induction of cell division of lymphocytes, a mitogenic effect that can either be enhanced or inhibited by the action of other plasma components; inhibition of neutrophil granulocyte migration in vitro; and inhibition of chemotaxis.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is an embryonic malignant neoplasm of retinal origin. It almost always presents in early childhood and is often bilateral. Spontaneous regression ('cure') occurs in some cases. Retinoblastoma acts as a regulator of other genes and forms a complex with adenovirus e1a and with sv40 large t antigen. Retinoblastoma acts as a tumor suppressor and modulats functionally certain cellular proteins with which t and e1a compete for pocket binding. Retinoblastoma is potent inhibitor of e2f-mediated trans-activation, recruits and targets histone methyltransferase suv39h1 leading to epigenetic transcriptional repression, inhibits the intrinsic kinase activity of taf1.

The adipose tissue exclusively expresses and secretes Adiponectin (Acrp30). Acrp30 is involved in various physiological processes such as energy homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, hormonal processes, fatty acid metabolism and obesity.
Adiponectin circulates in the plasma. Decreased levels of Adiponectin are associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, as seen in people with obesity insulin resistance, and diabetes type 2, whose plasma levels of adiponectin are reduced.
The modular structure of Acrp30 is comprised of N-terminal collagenous domain followed by a C-terminal globular domain.
Acrp30 also acts as a significant negative regulator in hematopoiesis and immune systems; it may be involved in ending inflammatory responses through its inhibitory functions. Adiponectin inhibits endothelial NF-kappa-b signaling through a cAMP-dependent pathway, it also inhibits TNF-alpha- induced expression of endothelial adhesion molecules.