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S100A8 is a part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a broad range of cells, and participate in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100A8 plays a role in the inhibition of casein kinase and as a cytokine. S100A8 altered expression is related with cystic fibrosis disease. S100A8 is a calcium-binding protein that has antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.S100A8 is crucial for resistance towards invasion by pathogenic bacteria. S100A8 up-regulates transcription of genes that are under the control of NF-kappa-B. S100A8 plays a role in the development of endotoxic shock in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. S100A8 endorses tubulin polymerization and promotes phagocyte migration and infiltration of granulocytes at sites of wounding. S100A8 takes part as a pro-inflammatory mediator in acute and chronic inflammation and up-regulates the release of IL8 and cell-surface expression of ICAM1.

FLT3 ligand is a receptor for the fl cytokine has a tyrosine-protein kinase activity & a growth factor that regulates proliferation of early hematopoietic cells. Flt3-Ligand synergizes with other CSFs and interleukins to induce growth and differentiation.

OTOR proteins is also known as fibrocyte-derived protein (Fdp) and Melanoma inhibitory activity-like (MIAL). Otoraplin is a member of the melanoma-inhibiting activity gene family. Otoraplin is a secreted 16 kDa globular protein that is expressed in the inner ear by periotic mesenchyme and developing and mature fibrocytes. OTOR is highly homologous to MIA/cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein (CD-RAP), which is a cartilage-specific protein that is also expressed in malignant melanoma cells. The 111 amino acid mature human otoraplin contains 1 SH3 domain (46 – 107 amino acids) and a Tyr at position 50 that is reportedly sulfated. Otoraplin takes pasrt in the initiation of periotic mesenchyme chondrogenesis.
Otoraplin is secreted through the Golgi apparatus and plays a role in cartilage development and maintenance. A frequent polymorphism in the translation start codon of OTOR can abolish translation and may be associated with forms of deafness.

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, dendritic cells and on trophoblast cells. The flt-1 gene was first described in 1990. The receptor contains seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular splited tyrosine kinase domain. Compared to VEGFR-2 the Flt-1 receptor has a higher affinity for VEGF but a weaker signaling activity. VEGFR-1 thus leads not to proliferation of endothelial cells, but mediates signals for differentiation. Interestingly a naturally occuring soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) was found in HUVE supernatants in 1996, which is generated by alternative splicing of the flt-1 mRNA. The biological functions of sVEGFR-1 still are not clear, but it seems to be an endogenous regulator of angiogenesis, binding VEGF with the same affinity as the full-length receptor.

Recombinant Galectin-13 is an E. coli expressed peptide, this protein is one of human placenta specific galectins, like all galectin family, it contains a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) as well. Increased blood concentration was found highly asscoaited with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome in pregnant women. The molecular weight of galectin-13 is 16kDa.

SERPINA5 up regulates TAFI activation by inhibiting the protein C activation. SERPINA5 is a significant regulator in the equilibrium between coagulation and fibrinolysis by differentially inhibiting the activation of TAFI and of Protein-C. SERPINA5 belongs to the serpin serine proteinase inhibitor family. SERPINA5 protein inhibits plasminogen activators as well as activated protein C.
SERPINA5 is secreted in plasma & liver. SERPINA5 is involved in cell inflammation, proliferation, apoptosis, tumour cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, SERPINA5 controls the invasive potential of renal cell carcinoma by inhibiting urinary plasminogen activator secreted by the cells. SERPINA5 participtes in regulating key serine proteases which are involved in metastatic prostate disease.

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, dendritic cells and on trophoblast cells. The flt-1 gene was first described in 1990. The receptor contains seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular splited tyrosine kinase domain. Compared to VEGFR-2 the Flt-1 receptor has a higher affinity for VEGF but a weaker signaling activity. VEGFR-1 thus leads not to proliferation of endothelial cells, but mediates signals for differentiation. Interestingly a naturally occuring soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) was found in HUVE supernatants in 1996, which is generated by alternative splicing of the flt-1 mRNA. The biological functions of sVEGFR-1 still are not clear, but it seems to be an endogenous regulator of angiogenesis, binding VEGF with the same affinity as the full-length receptor.

Plasma fibronectin level is elevated in severe coronary artery disease. Increased plasma fibronectin levels are related with venous thromboembolism (VTE) particularly in males, and extend the probable association between biomarkers and risk factors for arterial atherothrombosis and VTE. Fibronectin plays a role in several cellular processes, including tissue repair, embryogenesis, blood clotting, and cell migration/adhesion. Fibronectin consists in two main forms: 1) as an insoluble glycoprotein dimer that serves as a linker in the extracellular matrix and 2) as a soluble disulphide linked dimer found in the plasma. The plasma form is produced by hepatocytes, and the ECM form is synthesized by fibroblasts, chondrocytes, endothelial cells, macrophages, as well as certain epithelial cells. Fibronectin also takes part as a general cell adhesion molecule by anchoring cells to collagen or proteoglycan substrates. Fibronectin organizes cellular interaction with the ECM by binding to different components of the extracellular matrix and to membrane-bound Fibronectin receptors on cell surfaces.

Prolactin is a lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis .Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation.Prolactin has been shown also to have cytokine-like activities and to have important immunoregulatory activities. It contributes to the development of lymphoid tissues and the maintenance of physiological immune function and also modulates a variety of T-cell immune responses. Prolactin has been reported to activate cellular proliferation in nonreproductive tissue, such as liver, spleen, and thymus. It induces significant proliferation in aortic smooth muscle cells and also enhances proliferation of these cells induced by PDGF . Prolactin also appears to be directly mitogenic for pancreatic beta cells. Prolactin is also mitogenic for cultured astrocytes.

EFNB1 is a member of the Eph family. The cell-surface proteins Ephrins split into two groups, ephrin-A and ephrin-B, based on their structure and function and perform as ligands for Eph receptors. The transmembrane EFNB1 proteins have conserved cytoplasmic tyrosine residues that are phosphorylated upon interaction with an EphB receptor. In addition, EFNB1 transduces outside-in signals by C-terminal protein interfaces which influence integrin-mediated cell attachment and migration.

Four and a half LIM domains 3 (FHL3) belongs to a family of proteins containing a four-and-a-half LIM domain, which is a highly conserved double zinc finger motif. FHL3 has been shown to interact with the cancer developmental regulators SMAD2, SMAD3, and SMAD4, the skeletal muscle myogenesis protein MyoD, and the high-affinity IgE beta chain regulator MZF-1. FHL3 is involved in tumor suppression, repression of MyoD expression, and repression of IgE receptor expression. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.

Galectin-2 or LGALS2 is a protein, part of the galectin proteins family. The galectin proteins family holds galectin proteins family lectins that mediates adhesion between cells or cells to ECM. This family also take part in pre-mRNA splicing, apoptosis & tumor progression. Galectin-2 induces apoptosis in T cells that are activated & binds to lymphotoxin-a, also can implicatate on myocardial infarction. LGALS2 from human and mouse share about 65% amino acid sequence resemblance.

Alpha 1 ACT is an early-stage acute-phase plasma protein and a serpin that preferentially inactivates chymotrypsin, cathepsin G, and chymase. Alpha-1-ACT, a serine protease inhibitor, is tightly associated with amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in normal aged human and monkey brain.
Regulation of the serine proteases and serine protease inhibitors plays an important role in neuromuscular differentiation. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), a chymotrypsin-like serine protease, is predominantly complexed to Alpha-1-ACT.

Calbindin 1 (CALB1) is a calcium binding protein that is a member of the troponin C superfamily. CALB1 plays a vital role in calcium regulation (including calcium transport and uptake, calcification of bone and teeth) and calcium associated signaling in neurons and transiently in embryological development. CALB1 also has a role in protecting neurons from apoptotic cell death. CALB1 buffers cytosolic calcium and may stimulate a membrane Ca2+-ATPase and a 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. The biological function of CALB1 seems to be tied to the redox state of its five cysteine residues.
CALB1 has 4 active calcium-binding domains, and 2 modified domains that seemingly have lost their calcium-binding ability. CALB1 is expressed in neural tissues. In the brain, the CALB1 synthesis is independent of vitamin-D-derived hormones.
Disregulation of the CALB1 is associated with epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease. The neurons in brains of Huntington disease patients are calbindin-depleted.

Obestatin is a hormone that is produced in the cells lining the stomach and small intestine of several mammals including humans; it drastically reduces appetite in mice and is expected to do the same in humans. Obestatin is a peptide hormone - a relatively small protein. It is encoded by the same gene that also encodes ghrelin, a peptide hormone that increases appetite. The protein produced by that gene breaks into two smaller peptides, ghrelin and obestatin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and is involved in regulating growth hormone release. Ghrelin is derived from a preprohormone called preproghrelin, which also generates a second peptide called obestatin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR39 and is involved in satiety and decreased food intake.

UFM1 is a ubiquitin-like protein which is conjugated to target proteins by E1-like activating enzyme UBA5 and E2-like conjugating enzyme UFC1 in a manner equivalent to ubiquitylation. UFM1 localizes principally to the nucleus, but is also present in diffuse amounts in the cytoplasm. UFM1 is expressed in a variety of tissues, including kidney, brain, heart, liver and lung.

Vaspin (visceral adipose-specific SERPIN) is a newly identified adipokine, which is a member of serine protease inhibitor family. Vaspin is also a unique insulin sensitizing adipocytokine in obesity. A recent publication indicates that induction of human vaspin mRNA expression in adipose tissue is regulated in a fat depot-specific manner and could be associated with parameters of obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism.

The secreted polypeptide noggin, encoded by the NOG gene, binds and inactivates members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling proteins, such as bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4). By diffusing through extracellular matrices more efficiently than members of the TGF-beta superfamily, noggin may have a principal role in creating morphogenic gradients. Noggin appears to have pleiotropic effect, both early in development as well as in later stages. It was originally isolated from Xenopus based on its ability to restore normal dorsal-ventral body axis in embryos that had been artificially ventralized by UV treatment. The results of the mouse knockout of noggin suggest that it is involved in numerous developmental processes, such as neural tube fusion and joint formation. Recently, several dominant human NOG mutations in unrelated families with proximal symphalangism (SYM1) and multiple synostoses syndrome (SYNS1) were identified; both SYM1 and SYNS1 have multiple joint fusion as their principal feature, and map to the same region (17q22) as NOG. All NOG mutations altered evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of human noggin is highly homologous to that of Xenopus, rat and mouse.

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.

Actin Filament Associated Protein 1 (AFAP1) is a Src binding partner. AFAP1 is a possible modulator of actin filament integrity in response to cellular signals, and is also playing a role as an adaptor protein by connecting Src family members to actin filaments. AFAP1 takes partin the development and progression of prostate adenocarcinoma by regulating cell-matrix adhesions and migration in the cancer cells.

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.

PFN2 is a ubiquitous actin monomer-binding protein which is part of the profilin family. PFN2 regulates actin polymerization in response to extra cellular signals. PFN2 binds to actin and affects the structure of the cytoskeleton. At high concentrations, profilin prevents the polymerization of actin, while it increases it at low concentrations. PFN2 binds to PIP2, it inhibits the formation of IP3 and DG.

Galectins are a family of animal lectins with an affinity for beta-galactosides. This family has at least 14 identified members. Galectins share similarities in the CRD (the carbohydrate recognition domain). Galectins are synthesized as cytosolic proteins. Though localized principally in the cytoplasm and lacking a classical signal peptide, galectins can also be stimulated to secretion by non-classical pathways or alternatively targeted to the nucleus. Galectins are involved in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Galectin-8 is a tandem-repeat-type member of the galectin family, consisting of 2 CRDs attached by a linker peptide. Galectin-8 is greatly expressed in lung carcinomas, a number of forms of prostate carcinomas, in addition to other tumor cells. Galectin-8 attaches to a subset of cell surface integrins to modulate ECM-integrin interactions. Once immobilized, Galectin-8 promotes cell adhesion by ligation and clustering of cell surface integrin receptors. On the other hand, as a soluble ligand, Galectin-8 can inhibit cell adhesion.