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NACA belongs to the nascent polypeptide associated complex (NAC) alpha subunit family which takes part in inhibiting unsuitable targeting of non-secretory polypeptides to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). NACA proteins are usually restricted to the nucleus and cytoplasm and hold NAC-A/B (NAC-alpha/beta) and UBA (ubiquitin-associated) domains. The UBA domain is related to proteins which takes part in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway for protein degradation.

NDRG1 is a cytoplasmic protein that is involved in stress responses, hormone responses, cell growth, and differentiation. NDRG1 is one of 4 members of the NDRG ?/?-hydrolase family. NDRG1 is classified in databases as a tumor suppressor and heavy metal-response protein. NDRG1’s functions include cell-cycle regulation, cellular differentiation, apoptosis, hypoxia response and metal-ion sensing. NDRG1 is also essential for p53-mediated caspase activation and apoptosis. The NDRG1 is a Rab4a effector that is involved in vesicular recycling of E-cadherin. NDRG1 is ubiquitous; it is expressed most notably in placental membranes and prostate, kidney, small intestine, and ovary tissues. NDRG1 has reduced expression in adenocarcinomas compared to normal tissues.
NDRG1 gene mutations are reported to be the cause for hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy-Lom (HMSNL), which is a severe autosomal recessive form of Charcot- Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. In addition, decreased NDRG1 expression in glioma is linked to tumor progression. On the other hand, overexpression of NDRG1 is connected to malignant status of esophageal cancer. NDRG1 may also have a role in portal vein invasion and intrahepatic metastasis in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3 beta 2 (MAP1LC3B2) is a member of the MAP1LC3 family. MAP1LC3B2 is a subunit of neuronal microtubule-associated MAP1A and MAP1B proteins, which are involved in microtubule assembly and essential for neurogenesis. The MAP1LC3B2 protein is possibly involved in formation of autophagosomal vacuoles (autophagosomes). MAP1LC3B2 is expressed primarily in the heart, testis, brain and skeletal muscle.

LGALS8 is a prostate-specific antigen that is solely overexpressed in malignant tumors and thus is a supplementary specific identifier of malignancies. LGALS8 is part of the galectin gene family which facilitates both cell-cell and cell matrix interactions in a method parallel to the selectin subgroup of C-type lectins.

Beta-Glucocerebrosidase, also known as GBA is amember of the glycosyl hydrolase 30 family. GBA is a lysosomal enzyme which requires a signal peptide for transport across the membrane of the rough endoplasmic reticulum as well as glycosylation for transport into lysosomes. Furthermore, Gaucher disease is caused by a deficiency in the activity of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase.

PBX/Knotted 1 Homeobox 1 (PKNOX1) is a DNA-binding factor which takes part in the regulation of the transcriptional activity of AP-1 containing promoters. PKNOX1, which is also known as UEF3, PRP-1 and p64, is a Hmeobox protein. PKNOX1 forms stable complexes containing PBX proteins which synergize with AP-1 binding factors.

Neuregulin/Heregulin is a family of structurally related polypeptide growth factors which are stemmed from alternatively spliced genes (NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 and NRG4). Thus far, there are more than 14 soluble and transmembrane proteins derived from the NRG1 gene. Proteolytic processing of the extracellular domain of the transmembrane NRG1 isoforms release soluble growth factors. These isoforms contain the heregulins (HRGs), glial growth factors (GGFs) and sensory and motor neuron-derived factor (SMDF). All these factors have the Ig and EGF-like domain, and are able to bind to ErbB3 and ErbB4 receptor tyrosin kinases. This binding stimulates erb3 and erb4 heterodimerization with erb2, promoting intrinsic kinase activity, which results in tyrosine phosphorylation. NRG1 isoforms act to induce the growth and differentiation of epithelial, neuronal, glial, and other types of cells.

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.

MAP1LC3B is a member of the MAP1 LC3 family. MAP1LC3B is a subunit of neuronal microtubule-associated MAP1A and MAP1B proteins, that are involved in microtubule assembly and important for neurogenesis. In addition, MAP1LC3B takes part in formation of autophagosomal vacuoles and is expressed mainly in heart, testis, brain and skeletal muscle.

NudC Domain Containing 2 also known as NUDCD2 contains 1 CS domain and interacts with LIS1. NUDCD2 regulates the LIS1/dynein pathway by stabilizing LIS1 with Hsp90 chaperone.

AFP is normally synthesized in the liver, intestinal tract, and yolk sac of the fetus. Antibody to AFP has been shown to be useful in detecting hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and germ cell neoplasms, especially yolk sac tumors.

a-Synuclein (amino acids 1-140), an acidic neuronal protein of 140 amino acids, is extremely heat-resistant and is natively unfolded with an extended structure primarily composed of random coils. a-synuclein has been suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, and more recently, to be an important regulatory component of vesicular transport in neuronal cells. Moreover, recent studies have shown that a-synuclein has chaperone activity and that this activity is lost upon removing its C-terminal acidic tail (amino acids 96-140).

Excess adiposity is the most important risk in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Adipose tissue produces several proteins (adipocytokines) such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor-a, and IL-6, that modulate sensitivity and appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis, diabetes, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Visfatin, also known as pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF), is a cytokine that is highly expressed in visceral fat and was originally isolated as a secreted factor that synergizes with IL-7 and stem cell factors to promote the growth of B cell precursors. Visfatin homologs have been identified in carp, invertebrate mollusks, and bacteria, as well as in vertebrates, including humans and the mouse. It has been postulated to play a role in innate immunity.
Visfatin exerts mimetic effects that are dose-dependent and quantitatively similar to stimulating muscle and adipocyte glucose transport, and in inhibiting hepatocyte glucose production. Intravenous injection of recombinant visfatin in mice decreased plasma glucose in a dose-dependent fashion. In keeping with its mimetic effects, visfatin was as effective in reducing hyperglycemia in deficient diabetic mice. Visfatin was also found to be bound to and activate receptor, causing receptor phosphorylation and the activation of downstream signaling molecules. However, visfatin did not compete for binding to the receptor, indicating that the two proteins were recognized by different regions of the receptor. Thus, visfatin might play a role in glucose homeostasis and dysregulation in biosynthesis or signal transduction, and might contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes.

Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A/B (HNRNPAB) is a member of the subfamily of ubiquitously expressed heterogeneous nuclearribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs). The hnRNPs are produced by RNA polymerase II and are components of theheterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) complexes. They are linked with pre-mRNAs in the nucleus and seem to influence pre-mRNA processing and further aspects of mRNA metabolism and transport. Whereas all of the hnRNPsare present in the nucleus, some seem to shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The hnRNP proteins have distinct nucleic acid binding properties. HNRNPAB, which binds to one of the components of the multiproteineditosome complex, has two repeats of quasi-RRM (RNA recognition motif) domains that bind to RNAs. Among the diseases associated with HNRNPAB are wells syndrome, and cystic fibrosis.

CBFB beta subunit is a heterodimeric core-binding transcription factor that is part of the PEBP2/CBF transcription factor family which controls a host of genes particulary to hematopoiesis and osteogenesis. CBFB is a non-DNA binding regulatory subunit which increases DNA binding by alpha subunit.

Guanine Nucleotide Binding Protein Gamma 11 (GNG11) which belongs to the guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) gamma family encodes a lipid-anchored, cell membrane protein. G proteins act as a modulator or transducer in various transmembrane signaling systems. GNG11 is also subject to carboxyl-terminal processing.

Streptavidin is a tetrameric protein secreted by Streptomyces avidinii which binds firmly to biotin. Streptavidin is widely used in molecular biology through its unique high affinity for the vitamin biotin. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the biotin-streptavidin complex is about ~10-15 mol/L. The strong affinity recognition of biotin and biotinylated molecules has made streptavidin one of the most important components in diagnostics and laboratory kits. The streptavidin/biotin system has one of the biggest free energies of association of yet observed for noncovalent binding of a protein and small ligand in aqueous solution (K_assoc = 10**14). The complexes are also extremely stable over a wide range of temperature and pH.

VZV is closely related to the herpes simplex viruses(HSV), sharing much genomehomology. The known envelope glycoproteins (gB, gC, gE, gH, gI, gK, gL) correspond with those in HSV, however there is no equivalent of HSV gD. VZV virons are spherical and 150-200 nm in diameter. Their lipidenvelope encloses the nucleocapsid of 162 capsomeres arranged in a hexagonalform. Its DNAis a single, linear, double-stranded molecule, 125,000 nt long. The virus is very susceptible to disinfectants, notably sodium hypochlorite. Within the body it can be treated by a number of drugs and therapeutic agents including aciclovir, zoster-immune globulin(ZIG), and vidarabine.

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.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae. HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6). HCV NS3 (genotype 1b) contains 2 domains which are serine protinase and helicase. C33c is a fragment of NS3 containing the most important epitopes recognized by HCV antibody.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that can lead to a condition in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to opportunistic infections. HIV primarily infects vital cells in the human immune system such as helper T cells (specifically CD4+ T cells), macrophages and dendritic cells. HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4+ T cells through three main mechanisms: firstly, direct viral killing of infected cells; secondly, increased rates of apoptosis in infected cells; and thirdly, killing of infected CD4+ T cells by CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytes that recognize infected cells. When CD4+ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunity is lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections. HIV was classified as a member of the genus Lentivirus, part of the family of Retroviridae. Lentiviruses have many common morphologies and biological properties. Many species are infected by lentiviruses, which are characteristically responsible for long-duration illnesses with a long incubation period. Lentiviruses are transmitted as single-stranded, positive-sense, enveloped RNA viruses. Upon entry of the target cell, the viral RNA genome is converted to double-stranded DNA by a virally encoded reverse transcriptase that is present in the virus particle. This viral DNA is then integrated into the cellular DNA by a virally encoded integrase so that the genome can be transcribed. Once the virus has infected the cell, two pathways are possible: either the virus becomes latent and the infected cell continues to function, or the virus becomes active and replicates, and a large number of virus particles are liberated that can then infect other cells.

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.

GSK3B is a serine-threonine kinase that belongs to the glycogen synthase kinase subfamily. GSK3B is involved in energy metabolism, neuronal cell development, and body pattern formation. Polymorphisms in the GSK3B gene have been implicated in modifying risk of Parkinson disease, and studies in mice show that overexpression of the GSK3B gene may be significant to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease.

MCM7 is a highly conserved mini-chromosome maintenance protein (MCM) vital for eukaryotic genome replication initiation. The MCM proteins form a hexameric protein complex which is a key component of the pre-replication complex (pre_RC) which takes part in replication forks formation and in DNA replication related proteins recruitment. The MCM complex is comprised of MCM2, 4, 6 and 7 proteins and possesses DNA helicase activity, such as DNA unwinding.