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ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 9 (ARL9) is a member of to 2 novel subfamilies coding for small GTPases that were found to be highly conserved among eukaryotes.

Nucleobindin-2 (also known as NUCB2 or Nesfatin) is a EF-hand calcium-binding protein. Nucleobindin-2 takes part in calcium homeostasis and is a multifunctional protein that interacts with Ca(2+) nucleic acids & various regulatory proteins in different signaling pathways. NUCB2 (Nesfatin) is localized in neuronal perikarya and dendrites of mouse brain.

BIRC7 is a part of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family and contains a single copy of a baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) as well as a RING-type zinc finger domain. The BIR domain is necessary for inhibitory activity & cooperates with caspases, while the RING finger domain sometimes increases anti-apoptotic activity but doesn’t inhibit apoptosis by itself. 2 transcript variants encoding diverse isoforms have been found for this gene. The 2 isoforms have dissimilar antiapoptotic characteristics, with isoform a protecting cells from apoptosis induced by staurosporine and isoform b defending cells from apoptosis induced by etoposide.
BIRC7 has direct contact with several caspases together with caspase-3, caspase-7, & caspase –9. BIRC7 inhibits the activation of caspase-9 induced by Apaf-1, cytochrome c, and dATP.

BTLA, also known as B And T Lymphocyte Associated, is an inhibitory molecule which is part of the Ig superfamily. BTLA is a type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein in the CD28 family of T cell costimulatory molecules. BTLA is a 3rd inhibitory receptor on T lymphocytes with resemblances to CTLA-4 & PD-1. Moreover, BTLA is a ligand for TNF (receptor) superfamily, TNFRSF14, and HVEM. BTLA-HVEM complexes negatively regulate T-cell immune responses.

Factor that is thought to be a regulator of hematopoiesis. It has been shown to enhance the growth of human mast cells and megakaryoblastic leukemic cells as well as murine helper t-cell clones. IL-9 is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 32-39 that is derived from T-cells, and maps to human chromosome 5.

PFDN6 is a subunit of the heteromeric prefoldin complex that chaperones developing actin and alpha- and beta-tubulin chains until they are transferred to the cytosolic chaperonin containing TCP1 (CCT) complex. PFDN6 binds specifically to cytosolic chaperonin (c-CPN), transfers target proteins to it and bind to developing polypeptide chain to promote folding in a setting where there are many competing pathways for nonnative proteins.

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.

KPNB1 is a member of the importin beta family. The KPNB1 protein is engaged in nuclear protein import, either by coupling itself with an adapter protein (e.g., importin-alpha subunit which binds to nuclear localization signals (NLS) in cargo substrates), or by functioning autonomously as a nuclear transport receptor (acts as NLS receptor, docking of the importin/substrate complex to the nuclear pore complex).

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family of iron binding proteins. It is found in human breast milk as well as most epithelial surface secretions including tears, nasogastric, saliva, and bronchial. Lactoferrin binds 2 molecules of iron with very high affinity. Lactoferrin inhibits bacterial growth by withholding iron, its N-terminal region is an antimicrobial peptide. Lactotransferrin acts synergistically with lysozyme to potentiate the activity of both proteins. The multifunctional protein lactoferrin has many physiological possible roles. It is often referred to as an innate defense protein and frequently serves as the first line of defense in protection against pathogens. It has been shown to have the ability to bind iron, it is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral, it is an antioxidant and it also has immunomodulatory properties. It has many beneficial properties, which make it a good candidate for a number of product applications. Considerable research is currently going on to explain the various suggested biological functions of lactoferrin.

VAMP4 belongs to the synaptobrevin family who are involved in docking and/or fusion of vesicles with cell membrane. VAMP4 is enriched in the trans-Golgi network and may be a factor in the trans-Golgi network-to-endosome transport. VAMP4 is involved in the pathway which functions to eliminate an inhibitor (most likely synaptotagmin-4) of calcium-triggered exocytosis during the maturation of secretory granules. Synaptobrevins, syntaxins, and SNAP25 are the chief components of a protein complex involved in the docking and/or fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane.

VCAM1 is a member of the Ig superfamily. It is a cell surface sialoglycoprotein expressed by cytokine activated endothelium. VCAM-1 contains 6 or 7 immunoglobulin domains, and is expressed on both large and small vessels only after the endothelial cells are stimulated by cytokines. The protein has a number of functions including the regulation of leukocyte migration, leukocyte endothelial cell adhesion and signal transduction and may play a role in a number of inflammatory diseases (artherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis).

Cell surface glycoprotein MUC18 (MCAM), is an integral membrane glycoprotein which is part of the immunoglobulin superfamily. MCAM is related with a variety of carcinomas such as tumor progression, metastasis and is also implicated in embryonic neural development. In Addition, MCAM takes part in cell adhesion, as well as in cohesion of the endothelial monolayer at the intercellular junctions in vascular tissue.

Treponema pallidum is a gram-negative spirochaete bacterium and is considered to be metabolically crippled. There are at least four known subspecies: T. pallidum pallidum, T. pallidum pertenue, T. pallidum carateum and T. pallidum endemicum. The helical structure of T. pallidum pallidum allows it to move in a corkscrew motion through viscous mediums such as mucus. Treponema pallidum sub sp. pallidum has one of the smallest bacterial genomes at 1.14 million base pairs (Mb) and has limited metabolic capabilities, reflecting its adaptation through genome reduction to the rich environment of mammalian tissue.

Chitinase is a digestive enzyme which breaks down glycosidic bonds in chitin. Due to chitin being a component of the cell walls of fungi and exoskeletal elements of some animals (including worms and arthropods), chitinases are usually found in organisms that either need to remake their own chitin or to dissolve and digest the chitin of fungi or animals. Chitinivorous organisms include many bacteria genuses such as Aeromonas, Bacillus, Vibrio, among others, which may be pathogenic or detritivorous. Chitinase expression is mediated by the NPR1 gene and the salicylic acid pathway, both of which are involved in resisting fungal and insect attack. Human chitinases appear in gastric juices. They are likely to be digestive chitinases, for catabolic activity. Chitinase activity is identified systemically in humans, in the blood, and possibly cartilage. Chitinase has been related to allergies, asthma in particular has been linked to enhanced chitinase expression levels, also dust mites and mold spores which are both chitin covered.

Cystatins are a superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in both plants and animals. They comprise a group of proteinase inhibitors, widely distributed in tissues and body fluids, and form tight complexes with cysteine proteases such as cathepsin B, H, L and S. Cystatin C, a secreted molecule of this family, is of interest from biochemical, medicine and evolutionary points of view. Cystatin C, with molecular weight of 13260 Da, is composed of 120 amino acids, lacks carbohydrate and has two disulfide bridges located near the carboxyl terminus. Cystatin C is increased in patients with malignant diseases, and is related to the insufficiency of renal function and appears to be a better marker than creatinine. On the other hand, low levels of cystatin C involve cause the breakdown of the elastic laminae and, subsequently, the atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

S100A4 is part of the S100 super-family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium binding domains. S100A4 is ubiquitously overexpressed and is localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus. S100A4 is involved in motility, invasion, and tubulin polymerization. Chromosomal rearrangements and altered expression of the S100A4 gene have been implicated in tumor metastasis.

MMAB protein catalyzes the last step in the conversion of vitamin B(12) into adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl), a vitamin B12 containing coenzyme for methylmalonyl-CoA mutase(MCM). Decreased MMAB activity leads to the inherited disorder vitamin B12 dependent methylmalonic aciduria linked to the cblB complementation group.

SERPINA1 is secreted and is a serine protease inhibitor which its targets include elastase, plasmin, collagenase, thrombin, leucocytic proteases, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and plasminogen activator. Defects in SERPINA1 gene can cause emphysema or liver disease. Antral SERPINA1 expression is particularly induced by H. pylori infection. lung and prostate cancers have shown a significant increase in SERPINA1 serum levels compared with healthy controls though breast cancers did not show a significant change. SERPINA1 is an endogenous inhibitor of serine proteases and inhibits the catalytic domain of human recombinant matriptase in vitro. Rise in SERPINA1 occurs as an acute phase response to tissue necrosis and inflammation. mutations in SERPINA1 and SLC11A1 genes change the balance between elastase produced by leukocytes during phagocytosis.

NCALD belongs to the neuronal calcium sensor (NCS) family. NCALD is cytosolic at inactive calcium levels; but, high intracellular calcium levels induce a conformational transformation which exposes the myristoyl group, causing protein association with membranes and partial co-localization with the perinuclear trans-golgi network. NCALD protein is a regulator of signal transduction by G protein-coupled receptor.

ARL11 (ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 11) belongs to the ARF family of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases which are known to be involved in multiple regulatory pathways altered in human carcinogenesis. ARFs are highly conserved guanine nucleotide binding proteins which enhance the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of choleratoxin. ARFs are important in eukaryotic vesicular trafficking pathways and they have a vital role in the activation of phospholipase D (PC-PLD). ARL11 is assumed to act as a tumor suppressor which may have a role in the regulation of apoptosis.

SURF1 plays a role in the biogenesis of the COX complex. SURF1 is found in the inner mitochondrial membrane and takes part in the biogenesis of the cytochrome c oxidase complex. SURF1 is shares a bidirectional promoter with SURF2 on the opposite strand. Defects in this SURF1 cause Leigh syndrome, a rigorous neurological disorder that is generally associated with systemic cytochrome c oxidase deficiency.

Family with Sequence Similarity 84, Member B (FAM84B) coprecipitated with a downstream effector of RAS, CRAF. Binding of FAM83B with CRAF interrupted CRAF/14-3-3 interactions and increased CRAF membrane localization, causing elevated MAPK and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. FAM84B is an oncogene and possibly represents a new target for therapeutic intervention.

PEX19 is vital for peroxisome biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PEX19 is limited to the outer surface of peroxisomes in liver cells and is has a part in the early stage of peroxisome membrane assembly, prior to the import of matrix protein.

Rat and mouse FGF-9 show a very high homology to human FGF-9. The transcripts for FGF-9 have been found in brain and in kidney tissue. Fibroblast Growth Factor-9 is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. FGF9 was isolated as a secreted factor that exhibits a growth-stimulating effect on cultured glial cells. In nervous system, this protein is produced mainly by neurons and may be important for glial cell development. Expression of the mouse homolog of this gene was found to be dependent on Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling. Mice lacking the homolog gene displayed a male-to-female sex reversal phenotype, which suggested a role in testicular embryogenesis Fibroblast Growth Factor 9 may have a role in glial cell growth and differentiation during development, gliosis during repair and regeneration of brain tissue after damage, differentiation and survival of neuronal cells, and growth stimulation of glial tumors.