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Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 11 (CCL11) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as eotaxin. CCL11 selectively recruits eosinophils by inducing their chemotaxis, and therefore, is implicated in allergic responses. The effects of CCL11 are mediated by its binding to a G-protein-linked receptor known as a chemokine receptor. Chemokine receptors for which CCL11 is a ligand include CCR2, CCR3 and CCR5. The gene for human CCL11 (scya11) is encoded on three exons and is located on chromosome 17.

A 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

Thyroxine binding globulin, also known as SERPINA7, is synthesized in the liver and carried in the blood.
SERPINA7 may be decreased or increased in a number of diseases. Its main value in diagnosis is to assess thyroid function by determining the amount of free T3/T4.
Thyroxine binding globulin, binds and transports thyroid hormones in the circulation. SERPINA7 carries the majority of the T3/T4 in the blood. SERPINA7 has only one binding site for T3/T4 and about 25% of Thyroxine binding globulin is usually saturated.

Osteopontin is a glycoprotein that was first identified in osteoblasts and is involved in bone remodeling, immune functions in fibroblasts, macrophages, and lymphocytes during inflammation and wound healing. SPP1 binds tightly to hydroxyapatite. SPP1 forms an integral part of the mineralized matrix. SPP1 is vital to cell-matrix interaction.
Secreted Phosphoprotein-1 protects against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury via late preconditioning. Expression of both Ostepontin and CD44 in hepatocellular carcinoma is linked with advanced tumor stage and contributes to prognosis information. SPP1 is the most over-expressed gene in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Secreted Phosphoprotein-1 overexpression is related with interstitial lung diseases.

S100A9 is part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100A9 protein is localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a wide range of cells, and participates in the regulation of several cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100 genes include no less than 13 proteins which are localized as a cluster on chromosome 1q21. S100A9 is involved in the inhibition of casein kinase and altered expression of this protein is associated with the disease cystic fibrosis.

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.

Calcitonin (CT) is a peptide hormone produced by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland in mammals and by the ultimobranchial gland of birds and fish. Salmon calcitonin (sCT), which is more potent and longer lasting than human CT, has been used widely for the treatment of osteoporosis, paget's disease, hypercalcemic shock and chronic pain in terminal cancer patients. sCT is one of the many bioactive peptides that require C-terminal amidation for full biological activity.

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.

Activins are homodimers or heterodimers of the different β subunit isoforms, part of the TGFβ family. Mature Activin A has two 116 amino acids residues βA subunits (βA-βA). Activin displays an extensive variety of biological activities, including mesoderm induction, neural cell differentiation, bone remodelling, haematopoiesis, and reproductive physiology. Activins takes part in the production and regulation of hormones such as FSH, LH, GnRH and ACTH. Cells that are identified to express Activin A include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, hepatocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, keratinocytes, osteoclasts, bone marrow monocytes, prostatic epithelium, neurons, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and ovarian granulosa cells.

Myelin Protein Zero-Like 1 (MPZL1) is a cell surface receptor, which is involved in signal transduction processes. MPZL1 recruits PTPN11/SHP-2 to the cell membrane and is a putative substrate of PTPN11/SHP-2. MPZL1 is a main receptor for concanavalin-A (ConA) and it is involved in cellular signaling induced by ConA, which most likely includes Src family tyrosine-protein kinases. MPZL1 Isoform 3 appears to have a dominant negative role by blocking tyrosine phosphorylation of MPZL1 induced by ConA. Isoform 1, but not isoform 2 and isoform 3, might be involved in regulation of integrin-mediated cell motility.

DCTN2 is a 50kDa subunit of dynactin, which is a macromolecular complex consisting of 10-11 subunits ranging in size from 22 to 150 kDa. Dynactin binds to both microtubules and cytoplasmic dynein. Dynactin is involved in a various cellular functions, including ER-to-Golgi transport, the centripetal movement of lysosomes and endosomes, spindle formation, chromosome movement, nuclear positioning, and axonogenesis. The DCTN2 subunit is present in 4-5 copies per dynactin molecule. DCTN2 is comprised of 3 short alpha-helical coiled-coil domains which mediate association with self or other dynactin subunits. DCTN2 interacts directly with the largest subunit (p150) of dynactin and is able to affix p150 in place. DCTN2 modulates cytoplasmic dynein binding to an organelle, and plays a part in prometaphase chromosome alignment and spindle organization during mitosis. DCTN2 is involved in anchoring microtubules to centrosomes. DCTN2 has a role in synapse formation during brain development.

Apolipoprotein-D is mainly associated with high density lipoproteins in human plasma. Apolipoprotein-D is an atypical apolipoprotein and, based on its primary structure, Apolipoprotein-D is a member of the lipocalin family. Lipocalins adopt a beta-barrel tertiary structure and transport small hydrophobic ligands. Apolipoprotein-D binds cholesterol, progesterone, pregnenolone, bilirubin and arachidonic acid.
Apolipoprotein-D is expressed in numerous tissues having high levels of expression in spleen, testes and brain. Apolipoprotein-D is present at high concentrations in the cyst fluid of women with gross cystic disease of the breast, a condition associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Apolipoprotein-D accumulates in regenerating peripheral nerves and in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease. Apolipoprotein-D participates in maintenance and repair within the central and peripheral nervous systems. Apolipoprotein-D is a multi-ligand, multi-functional transporter and transports a ligand from 1 cell to another within an organ, scavenge a ligand within an organ for transport to the blood or could transport a ligand from the circulation to specific cells within a tissue.

B lymphoid kinase (BLK) is a 55kDa tyrosine kinase with SH3, SH2, and catalytic domains which contain consensus sequences of the Src protein tyrosine kinase family. BLK is a nonreceptor tyrosine-kinase belonging to the src family of proto-oncogenes which are typically involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. The BLK protein is expressed specifically in the B cell lineage and has a role in the signal-transduction pathway which is restricted to B lymphoid cells. In addition, BLK stimulates ins. synthesis and secretion in response to glucose and increases the expression of several pancreatic beta-cell transcription factors.

P-Selectin also called Platelet Alpha-Granule Membrane Protein, CD62, and Granulocyte Membrane Protein GRMP belongs to a family of divalent cation-dependent carbohydrate-binding glycoproteins or adhesion molecules. Pselectin is expressed transiently on the surface of activated platelets and endothelial cells. P-Selectin is a 140 kDa protein which is stored in the alpha-granules of platelets and Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells. Secreted P-selectin is thought to play a key role in the adhesion of platelets to monocytes and neutrophils during an inflammatory response. P-Selectin is a calcium-dependent receptor that binds to sialylated forms of Lewis blood group carbohydrate antigens on neutrophils and monocytes. Levels of P-Selectin may be elevated in a number of pathological conditions.

Fibrinogen silencer-binding protein (FSBP), interacts with X11alpha. The X11alpha/FSBP complex send signals to the nucleus in order to repress glycogen synthase kinase-3beta promoter activity. X11alpha is a neuronal adaptor protein that interacts with the amyloid precursor protein (APP) via a centrally located phosphotyrosine binding domain to inhibit the production of Abeta peptide that is deposited in Alzheimer's diseased brains.

Glypican 4, also known as GPC4, is part of a family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs) which take part in the control of cell division and growth regulation. GPC4 is broadly expressed in human tissues, including lung, kidney, heart, placenta, skeletal muscle, and pancreas. In addition, GPC4 has been shown to be present in astrocytes, haematopoietic-progenitor and bone-marrow-stromal cells.

Glypican 4, also known as GPC4, is part of a family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs) which take part in the control of cell division and growth regulation. GPC4 is broadly expressed in human tissues, including lung, kidney, heart, placenta, skeletal muscle, and pancreas. In addition, GPC4 has been shown to be present in astrocytes, haematopoietic-progenitor and bone-marrow-stromal cells.

RBP1 is a member of the calycin superfamily and fatty-acid binding protein (FABP) family. RBP1 is the carrier protein which takes part in the transport of retinol (vitamin A alcohol) from the liver storage site to peripheral tissue. Additionally, RBP1 performs as a bridging molecule to recruit histone deacetylases (HDACs) which is a forceful regulator of gene expression. RBP1 is found in almost all the tissues with higher expression in pancreas, adrenal gland and pituitary gland, fetal liver and adult ovary.

MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase) can break down a wide range of substrates including types I, II, III, VII, VIII, and X collagens as well as L-Selectin, pro-TNF, IL-1?, IGFBP-3, IGFBP-5, casein, gelatin, ?1 antitrypsin, myelin basic protein, pro-MMP2 and pro-MMP9. A significant function of MMP-1 is the degradation of fibrillar collagens in extracellular matrix remodeling. MMP-1 is expressed in fibroblasts, keratinocytes, endothelial cells, monocytes and macrophages. MMP1 can be divided into a number of distinct domains: a prodomain which is cleaved on activation, a catalytic domain containing the zinc binding site and a short hinge region with a carboxyl terminal domain. MMP1 is part of a cluster of MMP genes which localize to chromosome 11q22.3.

Regulated upon Activation, Normal T-cell Expressed, and Secreted or RANTES is an 8 kDa protein classified as a chemotactic cytokine or chemokine. It has recently been renamed CCL5. RANTES is chemotactic for T cells, eosinophils and basophils and plays an active role in recruiting leukocytes into inflammatory sites. With the help of particular cytokines (i.e. IL-2 and IFN-?) that are released by T cells, RANTES also induces the proliferation and activation of certain natural killer (NK) cells to form CHAK (CC-Chemokine-activated killer) cells. It is also a HIV-suppressive factor released from CD8+ T cells. This chemokine has been localized to chromosome 17 in humans.

CST9 belongs to the CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic) subfamily. The CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic) protein outlines a new subgroup in the family 2 cystatins of the cystatin superfamily. A few members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, however others have lost or possibly never developed this inhibitory activity. CST9 takes part in hematopoietic differentiation or inflammation and is expressed in heart, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle and pancreas. CST9 is upregulated by LPS in several cancer cell lines, such as promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) and myelomonocytic leukemia.

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.

PMP2 is a small protein found in peripheral nerve myelin and spinal cord myelin, belongs to a family of fatty acid binding proteins. PMP2 partly decreases the inhibitory effect of T suppressors in the culture of immune lymph node cells. PMP2 protein is a lipid transport protein in schwann cells.