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BTF3L4 is a part of the NAC-beta family which contains 1 NAC-A/B (NAC-alpha/beta) domain and required for the initiation of transcription. BTF3L4 binds to polypeptide chains as they emerge from the ribosome and prevents their interaction with the SRP, which usually targets nascent secretory peptides to the ER. BTF3 is also a general transcription factor which forms a stable complex with RNA polymerase II.

Complement Factor B, also known as CFB, encodes complement factor B which is a component of the alternative pathway of complement activation. Factor B circulates in the blood as a single chain polypeptide. Once the alternative pathway is activated it is cleaved by complement factor D yielding the noncatalytic chain Ba and the catalytic subunit Bb. The active subunit Bb is a serine protease which connects with C3b to form the alternative pathway C3 convertase. Also, Bb is involved in the proliferation of preactivated B lymphocytes, while Ba inhibits their proliferation.

Polypeptide N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 1 (Galnt1) is a part of the UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GalNAc-T) family of enzymes. The initial reaction in O-linked oligosaccharide biosynthesis is catalyzed by Glant1, the transfer of an N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residue to a serine or threonine residue on the protein receptor. Moreover, Galnt1 is implicated in the glycosylation of proteins vital for bone formation for instance osteopontin and bone sialoprotein.

Cystatin E/M or CST6 is part of the cystatin type 2 family. Part of the cystatin type 2 family members can act as cysteine protease inhibitors, whereas cystatin E/M regulates cathepsin B inhibitors and not cathepsin C. cystatin E/M is a protein the when secreted, has an effect on osteogenesis and bone resorption, insulin regulation, response to systemic inflammation & hepatocyte growth factor receptors.

NGF-beta has nerve growth stimulating activity and the complex is involved in the regulation of growth and the differentiation of sympathetic and certain sensory neurons. Mutations in this gene have been associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, type 5 (HSAN5), and dysregulation of this gene's expression is associated with allergic rhinitis.

General Transcription Factor IIA, 1 (GTF2A1) in a complex along with TBP mediates transcriptional activity. GTF2A1 is a part of the transcription machinery of RNA polymerase II and is also participates in transcriptional activation.

RNMT is a widely expressed nuclear protein which is a member of the mRNA cap methyltransferase family. Cap-dependent mRNA translation requires the methylation of the mRNA guanosine cap by RNMT. RNMT catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from AdoMet (S-adenosylmethionine) to the GpppN end of the growing mRNA at the N-7 position, thus producing AdoHyc (S-adenosylhomocysteine) and m7GpppN terminated RNA.

NNMT is part of the family of transferases, especially those transferring one-carbon group methyltransferases. NNMT is mostly expressed in the liver, and a lower expression is seen in the kidney, lung, skeletal muscle, placenta and heart. NNMT catalyzes the N-methylation of nicotinamide and other pyridines to form pyridinium ions. This activity is significant for biotransformation of many drugs and xenobiotic compounds. NNMT is accountable for the enzymatic activity which uses S-adenosyl methionine as the methyl donor. NNMT expression is related with tumor stage and DFS time in hepatocellular carcinoma cases. NNMT is a good candidate as a tumor marker of various kinds of cancers. NNMT serum levels have significance in the premature detection and in the management of patients with colorectal cancer.

TGFB-Induced Factor Homeobox 2-Like, X-Linked (TGIF2LX) belongs to the TALE/TGIF homeobox family of transcription factors and takes part in spermatogenesis. A homolog of TGIF2LX is located in the male specific region of chromosome Y, in a block of sequence which is the outcome of a large X-to-Y transposition.

MANF is a 20kDa protein which belongs to the ARMET family. MANF was originally known as an arginine-rich region protein which was extremely mutated in a large number of tumors. MANF Expression is induced during ER stress, signifying that MANF takes part in protein quality control during ER stress.

Cleavage And Polyadenylation Specific Factor 4 (CPSF4) is a member of the CPSF4/YTH1 family. CPSF4 complex plays a vital role in pre-mRNA 3'-end formation, distinguishing the AAUAAA signal sequence and interacting with poly(A) polymerase and further factors to bring about cleavage and poly(A) additive. CPSF4 binds RNA polymers with a preference for poly(U).

TGF-beta receptor-associated protein 1 also known as TGFBRAP1 takes part in the TGF-beta/activin signaling pathway. TGFBRAP1 is related with inactive heteromeric TGF-beta and activin receptor complexes, mainly through the type II receptor, and is released upon activation of signaling. TGFBRAP1recruits SMAD4 to the vicinity of the receptor complex and smoothes the progress of its interaction with receptor-regulated Smads, such as SMAD2.

VEGF-C152S is a point mutant generated by the replacement of the second conserved Cys residue of the recombinant processed VEGF-C by a Ser residue. VEGF-C 152S is analog to the human VEGF-C 156S mutant and only active toward VEGFR-3/FLT-4 but, unlike wild type VEGF-C, is unable to bind to and to activate signaling through VEGFR-2/KDR. VEGF-C152S was inactive in the vascular permeability assay and did not increase migration of the capillary endothelial cells, indicating that these VEGF-like effects of VEGF-C require VEGFR-2 binding. VEGF-C, also known as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Related Protein (VRP), is a recently discovered VEGF growth factor family member that is most closely related to VEGF-D. The rat VEGF-C cDNA encodes a pre-pro-protein of 416 amino acids residues. It is almost identical to the mouse VEGF-C protein. Similar to VEGF-D, VEGF-C has a VEGF homology domain spanning the middle third of the precursor molecule and long N- and C-terminal extensions. In adults, VEGF-C is highly expressed in heart, placenta, ovary and small intestine. Recombinant rat VEGF-C, lacking the N- and C-terminal extensions and containing only the middle VEGF homology domain, forms primarily non-covalently linked dimers. This protein is a ligand for both VEGFR-2/KDR and VEGFR-3/FLT -4. Since VEGFR-3 is strongly expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells, it has been postulated that VEGF-C is involved in the regulation of the growth and/or differentiation of lymphatic endothelium. Although recombinant rat VEGF-C is also a mitogen for vascular endothelial cells, it is much less potent than VEGF-A.

Endothelial cells express three different vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, belonging to the family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They are named VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1), VEGFR-3 (Flt-4). Their expression is almost exclusively restricted to endothelial cells, but VEGFR-1 can also be found on monocytes. All VEGF-receptors have seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular split tyrosine kinase domain. VEGFR-2 has a lower affinity for VEGF than the Flt-1 receptor, but a higher signaling activity. Mitogenic activity in endothelial cells is mainly mediated by VEGFR-2 leading to their proliferation.
Differential splicing of the flt-1 gene leads to the formation of a secreted, soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1). No naturally occuring, secreted forms of VEGFR-2 have so far been reported. The binding of VEGF165 to VEGFR-2 is dependent on heparin.

TNFRSF13B (TACI) is a transmembrane receptor protein found predominantly on the surface of B cells (a significant part of the immune system). TACI was at first discovered owing to its ability to interact with calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand (CAML). Later on, it was found that TACI plays a key role in humoral immunity by interacting with two members of the TNF family. Also, TACI controls T cell-independent B cell antibody responses, isotype switching, and B cell homeostasis.

ETF is a heterodimer composed of alpha and beta subunit. ETFB protein is electron-transfer-flavoprotein, beta polypeptide that transports electrons between primary flavoprotein dehydrogenases involved in mitochondrial fatty acid and amino acid catabolism and the membrane-bound electron transfer flavoprotein ubiquinone oxidoreductase.

Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least eighteen structurally realted proteins that are involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cell growth, differentation, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family if type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. Four distinct genes encoding closely related FGF receptors, FGFR-1to -4 are known. Multiple forms of FGFR-1 to -3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGFR-1 and -2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the alpha isoform, or only IgII and IgIII, referred to as the ? isoform. Only the alpha isoform has been identified for FGFR-3 and FGFR-4. Additional splicing events for FGFR-1 to -3, involving the C-terminal half of the IgIII domain encoded by two mutually exclusive alternative exons, generate FGF receptors with alternative IgIII domains (IIIb and IIIc). A IIIa isoform which is a secreted FGF binding protein containing only the N-terminal half of the IgIII domain plus some intron sequences has also been reported for FGFR-1. Mutations in FGFR-1 to -3 have been found in patients with birth defects involving craniosynostosis.

CD40 belongs to the TNF-receptor super family. CD40 has been found to be vital in mediating a wide range of immune and inflammatory responses including T cell-dependent immunoglobulin classswitching, memory B cell development, and germinal center formation. AT-hook transcription factor AKNA isaccounted to coordinately regulate the expression of CD40 and its ligand, which is significant forhomotypic cell interactions. Adaptor protein TNFR2 interacts with CD40 and functions as a mediator of thesignal transduction. The interaction of CD40 and its ligand is found to be essential for amyloid-beta-inducedmicroglial activation, and therefore is considered to be an early event in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 3, also known as CEACAM3, is a member of the immunoglobulin super family. The genes in this family encode cell adhesion proteins, which are expressed at higher levels in tumorous tissues rather than in normal tissues. CEACAM3 plays a significant part in the clearance of pathogens through the innate immune system. In addition, CEACAM3 is accountable for RAC1 stimulation in the course of pathogen phagocytosis.

SNF8 belongs to the SNF8 family of vacuolar sorting proteins and is restricts to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. SNF8 is a subunit of the endosomal sorting complex essential for transport II (ESCRT-II), which is necessary for multivesicular body (MVB) formation and sorting of endosomal cargo proteins into MVBs. The MVB pathway facilitates transfer of transmembrane proteins into the lumen of the lysosome for degradation. Additionally, the ESCRT-II complex takes part in transcription regulation by contributing to derepression of transcription by RNA polymerase II, probably by its interface with ELL.

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.

Human Cystatin A (CSTA or Stefin A) belongs to family 1 of the cystatin superfamily, which is characterized by the lack of disulphide bonds and carbohydrates. CSTA is an intracellular inhibitor regulating the activities of cysteine proteases of the papain family such as Cathepsins B, H and L. Cystatin A has also been implicated in several disease states. Because of altered proteolytic state in cancer progression, CSTA may have a role in the proteolitic pathways.

Stem cell factor / KIT ligand (SCF) is a cytokine which binds CD117(c-Kit). SCF is also known as "steel factor" or "c-kit ligand". SCF exists in two forms, cell surface bound SCF and soluble (or free) SCF. Soluble SCF is produced by the cleavage of surface bound SCF by metalloproteases.
SCF is a growth factor important for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and other hematopoietic progenitor cells. One of its roles is to change the BFU-E (burst-forming unit-erythroid) cells, which are the earliest erythrocyte precursors in the erythrocytic series, into the CFU-E (colony-forming unit-erythroid).