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CD68 encodes a 110-kD transmembrane glycoprotein that is highly expressed by human monocytes and tissue macrophages. It is a member of the lysosomal/endosomal-associated membrane glycoprotein (LAMP) family. The protein primarily localizes to lysosomes and endosomes with a smaller fraction circulating to the cell surface. It is a type I integral membrane protein with a heavily glycosylated extracellular domain and binds to tissue- and organ-specific lectins or selectins. The protein is also a member of the scavenger receptor family. Scavenger receptors typically function to clear cellular debris, promote phagocytosis, and mediate the recruitment and activation of macrophages. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcripts encoding different isoforms.

Crohn's Disease (CD), which is very common in Caucasians, is an inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Mucosal inflammation in CD seems to arise when dysregulation of the immune system breaks the balance between tolerance to commensal microbiota or food-derived antigens and immunity to pathogens. The autoimmune mechanisms takes part in the development of CD, and exocrine pancreas autoantibodies (PAB) are disease-specific in CD patients. It was established not too long ago that glycoprotein 2 (GP2) is the major autoantigenic mark recognized by CD-specific PAB. Furthermore to IgG and IgM PAB isotypes, IgA pancreatic autoantibodies were also identified in CD patients. GP2 is an extremely glycosylated 78 kDa protein with N-linked carbohydrates. It is responsible for up to 40% of all zymogen granule (ZG) membrane proteins in pancreatic acinar cells and is linked to the ZG membrane via a glycosyl phosphoinositol (GPI) anchor.

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein family which is part of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. The superfamily includes large families of growth and differentiation factors. Bone morphogenetic proteins were originally identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site. This particular family member plays an important role in the onset of endochondral bone formation in humans, and a reduction in expression has been associated with a variety of bone diseases, including the heritable disorder Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. Alternative splicing in the 5' untranslated region of this gene has been described and three variants are described, all encoding an identical protein.

SPRY Domain-Containing SOCS Cox Protein 2 (SPSB2) belongs to a suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family, and is a member of the subfamily of proteins containing a central SPRY (repeats in splA and RyR) domain and a C-terminal SOCS box. SPSB2 is present in a gene-rich cluster on chromosome 12p13 in the vicinity of the CD4 antigen and triosephosphate isomerase genes. SPSB2 is apparent substrate recognition component of a SCF-like ECS (Elongin BC-CUL2/5-SOCS-box protein) E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex that mediates the ubiquitination and ensuing proteasomal degradation of target proteins.

Protein Kinase CAMP-Dependent Catalytic Beta (PRKACB) belongs to the Ser/Thr protein kinase family and is a catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. cAMP is a signaling molecule imperative for various cellular functions. cAMP activates the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, which transduces the signal by way of phosphorylation of different target proteins. The inactive kinase holoenzyme is a tetramer composed of 2 regulatory and 2 catalytic subunits. cAMP triggers the dissociation of the inactive holoenzyme into a dimer of regulatory subunits bound to 4 cAMP and 2 free monomeric catalytic subunits. PRKACB mediates cAMP-dependent signaling initiated by receptor binding to GPCRs. PKA activation regulates various cellular processes such as cell proliferation, the cell cycle, differentiation and regulation of microtubule dynamics, chromatin condensation and decondensation, nuclear envelope disassembly and reassembly, in addition to regulation of intracellular transport mechanisms and ion flux. PRKACB regulates the abundance of compartmentalized pools of its regulatory subunits via phosphorylation of PJA2 which binds and ubiquitinates these subunits, leading to their consequent proteolysis.

Sclerostin (SOST) is a secreted glycoprotein with a C-terminal cysteine knot-like (CTCK) domain and sequence similarity to the DAN (differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma) family of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists. Sclerostin functions as a negative regulator of bone growth, by inhibiting bone formation. SOST is widely expressed at low levels, with highest levels in the bone, cartilage, kidney, liver, bone marrow and primary osteoblasts differentiated for 21 days. SOST gene defects cause sclerosteosis and bone dysplasia.

Fibronectin Leucine Rich Transmembrane Protein 3, also known as FLRT3 is a member of the fibronectin leucine rich transmembrane protein (FLRT) family. FLRT3 contains one fibronectin type-III domain as well as 10 LRR (leucine-rich) repeats and is expressed in the kidney, brain, pancreas, skeletal muscle, lung, liver, placenta, and heart. In addition, the members of the FLRT family play a role in cell adhesion as well as receptor signaling. FLRT3 has been implicated in neurite outgrowth after nerve damage, as a positive regulator of FGF signalling and in homotypic cell adhesion. Furthermore, FLRT3 has an essential function in regulating cellular adhesion among the epithelial apical ridge and the underlying mesenchyme and also in the establishment of the dorso-ventral position of the ridge.

ASF1A is part of the H3/H4 family of histone chaperone proteins corresponding to the anti-silencing function-1 gene in yeast. ASF1A is an important element of the histone donor complex that functions in nucleosome assembly. ASF1A interacts with histones H3 and H4, and functions together with a chromatin assembly factor during DNA replication and repair. Deletion of ASF1A in yeast and Drosophila confers sensitivity to various DNA damaging agents and inhibitors of DNA replication, increases genomic instability and sister chromatid exchange, and activates the DNA damage checkpoint.

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.

Fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF-13) is a member of the large FGF family which has at least 23 members. Most of its members are binding growth factors with a core 120 amino acid (aa) FGF domain which allows for a mutual tertiary structure. Human and mouse FGF13 are 245 aa proteins which arise from genes that show N-terminal alternative splicing. Transcripts for 245 aa, 199 aa, 226 aa, 192 aa and 255 aa have been identified in human and mouse, with almost complete cross-species aa identity among all splice forms (greater than 98%). FGF13 is identified in the fetal ependyma, dorsal root and cranial ganglia, both atrial and ventricular myocardium, and in renal collecting duct-associated mesenchyme.

Procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer 1, also known as PCOLCE binds to the C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen and enhances procollagen C-proteinase activity. In addition, C-terminal processed part of PCPE (CT-PCPE) has a metalloproteinase inhibitory activity. Among the diseases which are associated with PCOLCE: bone fracture & oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

JUN N-terminal Kinase 2is a member of the MAP kinase family. MAP kinases act as an integration point for multiple biochemical signals, and are involved in a wide variety of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation and development. This kinase targets specific transcription factors, and thus mediates immediate-early gene expression in response to various cell stimuli. It is most closely related to MAPK8, both of which are involved in UV radiation induced apoptosis, thought to be related to the cytochrome c-mediated cell death pathway. This gene and MAPK8 are also known as c-Jun N-terminal kinases. This kinase blocks the ubiquitination of tumor suppressor p53, and thus it increases the stability of p53 in nonstressed cells. Studies of this gene's mouse counterpart suggest a key role in T-cell differentiation. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

Human PDE6D was initially identified as a fourth subunit of rod-specific cGMP phosphodiesterase, PDE6. PDE6D is an Oligomer composed of two catalytic chains (alpha and beta), an inhibitory chain (gamma) and the delta chain. PDE6D interacts with RPGR, ARL2 and ARL3. The catalytically active PDE6 is a heterodimer (αβ) that is controlled by two inhibitory γ subunits. Since PDE6D does not change the catalytic properties of PDEαβ, its function is still unanswered. PDE6D is expressed specifically in the retina.

CMV belongs to the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily of Herpesviridae which includes herpes simplex virustypes 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barrvirus. The herpesviruses share a characteristic ability to remain latentover long periods. CMV is a double-stranded linear DNA virus with 162 hexagonal protein capsomeres surrounded by a lipid membrane. CMV has the largest genome of the herpes viruses, ranging from 230-240 kilobase pairs. Human CMV is composed of unique and inverted repeats that include the existence of 4 genome isomers caused by inversion of L-S genome components (class E). Replication may be divided into immediate early, delayed early, and late gene expression based on time of synthesis after infection. The DNA is replicated by rolling circles. In vitro, CMV replicates in human fibroblasts.

PMSG Hormone is a well know used hormone together with progestogen to increase ovulation just before to artificial insemination. PMSG hormone is a placental glycoprotein produced from the serum of pregnant mares. PMSG comprises of an alfa subunit and a beta subunit. PMSG hormone is secreted from endometrial cups within the pregnant mare uterus aging from 40 to 130 days into their maturation, and once extracted, it can been used to promote artificially estrus in female animals. These assemblies produce PMSG hormone to induce mare's ovarian and repsouctive structures. PMSG can induce the growth of follicles by ovaries and results in ovulatation. PMSG hormone has an about a 4 day half-life of bioactivity in species other than horses. The extended biological activity can cause ovarian stimulation and ovulation. However, PMSG use alone often causes cystic ovarian disease because of the unrestrained ovarian stimulation and due to the sugar molecules which decrease clearance of the hormone. PMSG is more likely to be used than other pituitary hormones due to the extended circulatory half-life. PMSG solely exhibits luteinizing hormone like activity, however in other animal classes it has FSH & LH like activity.

SPARC protein, or secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, or osteonectin or basement-membrane protein 40 is a protein that is coded by the SPARC gene in humans. It is a glycoprotein located in bones, that binds to calcium. The osteonectin is secreted from osteoblasts cells when boas are formed, mineralized and promotes the formation and creation of mineral crystals. Asides from calcium, it has been shown that this protein can also bind to collagen.

Muted homolog (MUTED) is a component of the BLOC-1 complex, a complex which is necessary for normal biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles (LRO), such as platelet dense granules and melanosomes. The BLOC-1 complex is needed to steer membrane protein cargos into vesicles assembled at cell bodies for release into neurites and nerve terminals. In addition, this complex, along with SNARE proteins, is suggested to be involved in neurite extension. MUTED also interacts with pallidin, dystrobrevin binding protein 1 and CNO/cappuccino. MUTED is ubiquitously expressed with higher levels in the brain, bone marrow, kidney, and liver and lower levels in the skeletal muscle.

Inorganic pyrophosphatase (ppa) is a member of the Ppase family. PPA is an enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of one molecule of pyrophosphate to two phosphate ions. Since this is a highly exergonic reaction, it can therefore be coupled to unfavorable biochemical transformations in order to drive these transformations to completion. The role of the PPA enzyme is a critical one in the lipid metabolism (including lipid synthesis and degradation), calcium absorption and bone formation, DNA synthesis, as well as other biochemical transformations.

Since April 2012, cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been identified in various countries. Coronaviruses are the cause of the common cold, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and other severe illnesses with high mortality rates, all are classified into coronavirus family. MERS-CoV is a new type of SARS found in the coronavirus family causing severe pneumonia with sudden and serious respiratory illness with high mortality rates as well. Since January 27th 2015, the WHO has reported 956 human cases, including 351 deaths. More cases of the new coronavirus strain are expected. Like in other coronaviruses, large surface spike glycoprotein is a central structural protein of this virus; it is located above the virion surface to bind and enter into the target cell. Spike protein has 2 domains- S1 and S2. The S1 domain is responsible for cellular tropism and interaction with target cell, while the S2 domain is responsible for membrane fusion. The C-terminal of S1 domain contains a receptor binding domain, and is also a potential target for vaccine development and an antigen for diagnosis.

FGF-23 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, tissue repair, morphogenesis, tumor growth and invasion. FGF-23 inhibits renal tubular phosphate transport. This gene was identified by its mutations associated with autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR), an inherited phosphate wasting disorder. a high level expression of FGF23 was found in oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia (OHO), a phenotypically similar disease caused by abnormal phosphate metabolism.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 is the principal inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator(tPA) and uPA, the activators of plasminogenand hence fibrinolysis(the physiological breakdown of blood clots). It is a serine protease inhibitor(serpin) protein (SERPINE1). The other PAI, plasminogen activator inhibitor-2(PAI-2) is secreted by the placentaand only present in significant amounts during pregnancy. In addition, protease nexinacts as an inhibitor of tPA. SERPINE1, however, is the main inhibitor of the plasminogen activators.

Cartilage-associated protein (CRTAP) is a secreted protein localizing to the extracellular space which takes part in collagen post-translational modifications, extracellular fibril assembly and intracellular trafficking. CRTAP which is mainly expressed with predominant expression in articular chondrocytes is essential for efficient 3-hydroxylation of fibrillar collagen prolyl residues. Mutations in the gene encoding CRTAP might cause to autosomal recessive osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type 7 and type 2B.

Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) also known as matrilysin and PUMP (EC 3.4.24.23) cleaves a number of substrates including collagen types IV and X, elastin, fibronectin, gelatin, laminin and proteoglycans. MMP-7 is closely related to the stromelysin family members but is encoded by a different gene. MMP-7 is the smallest of all the MMPs consisting of a pro-peptide domain and a catalytic domain. It lacks the hemopexin-like domain common to other members of the MMPs. MMP-7 is secreted as a 28 kDa proenzyme and can be activated in vitro by organomercurials and trypsin and in vivo by MMP-3 to a 18 kDa active MMP-7 enzyme. Once activated, MMP-7 can activate pro-MMP-1 and pro-MMP-9 but not pro-MMP-2. MMP-7 is widely expressed having been reported in elevated levels in cycling endometrium as well as in colorectal cancers and adenomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, rectal carcinomas, and approximately 50% of gliomas.