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GDF-5 is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. Mutations in this gene are associated with acromesomelic dysplasia, Hunter-Thompson type; brachydactyly, type C; and chondrodysplasia, Grebe type. These associations confirm that the gene product plays a role in skeletal development.

PLA2G7 is a secreted enzyme which catalyzes the degradation of platelet-activating factor to biologically inactive products. The PLA2G7 enzyme is produced by inflammatory cells and hydrolyzes oxidised phospholipids in LDL. In the blood, PLA2G7 goes mainly with LDL and less than 20% is coupled with HDL.
PLA2G7 is implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and is also a marker for cardiac disease. PLA2G7 might have a major physiologic effect in the presence of inflammatory bodily responses.
PLA2G7 alters the action of PAF (platelet-activating factor) by hydrolyzing the sn-2 ester bond to yield the biologically inactive lyso-PAF. PLA2G7 has specificity for substrates with a short residue at the sn-2 position. PLA2G7 is inactive against long-chain phospholipids.
PLA2G7 gene defects are the source of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase deficiency, which is a trait that is present in 27% of the Japanese population.

TNFSF12 is a cytokine that is part of the TNF ligand family. TNFSF12 is a ligand for the FN14/TWEAKR receptor. TNFSF12 has overlapping signaling functions with TNF, but displays a much wider tissue distribution. TNFSF12 induces apoptosis through multiple pathways of cell death in a cell type-specific manner. TNFSF12 promotes proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, and therefore acts as a regulator of angiogenesis. TNFSF12 is expressed in adult heart, pancreas, skeletal muscle, small intestine, spleen and peripheral blood lymphocytes. TWEAK h induces NFkB and chemokine secretion. TNFSF12 exerts an apoptotic activity in HT-29 human adenocarcinoma cells whilst cultured in the presence of IFN-?. TNFSF12 promotes proliferation and migration of endothelial cells.

EIF4E is part of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4 families, controls translation of maternal mRNAs in early embryos before the onset of zygotic transcription. EIF4E identifies and binds to the 7 methyl GTP cap structure of eukaryotic mRNAs, thus modulates the initiation of translation. EIF4E enables ribosome binding by inducing the unwinding of the mRNAs secondary structures.

WIF1 binds to wnt proteins and inhibits their activities. WIF1 plays a role in mesoderm segmentation. WNT proteins are extracellular signaling molecules that take part in the control of embryonic development & cancer. WIF1 protein contains a WNT inhibitory factor (WIF) domain and 5 epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains. WIF1 takes part in mesoderm segmentation. WIF1 protein is found to be present in fish, amphibia and mammals. WIF1 is a recurrent target in human salivary gland oncogenesis. Downregulation of WIF1 takes part in the development and progression of pleomorphic adenomas. WIF1 is a tumor suppressor, specifically in nonfunctioning pituitary tumors.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4H (EIF4H) is a 248 amino acid protein which localizes to the perinuclear region of the cytoplasm and is expressed as 2 isoforms, termed short and long. EIF4H functions to stimulate the initiation of protein synthesis at the level of mRNA employment. EIF4H stimulates the RNA-dependent ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by EIF4A and EIF4B. EIF4H gene defects linked to Williams- Beuren syndrome (WBS), a rare developmental disorder characterized by cardiovascular and musculo-skeletal abnormalities and caused by the deletion of contiguous genes at 7q11.23.

Ephrin A5 (EFNA5) is a part of the ephrin ligand family which binds the members of ephrin receptor subfamily of tyrosine kinases and stimulates contact-dependent bidirectional signaling into neighboring cells. EFNA5 is mainly expressed in human adult brain, heart, spleen, and ovary and human fetal brain, lung, and kidney.

FGF-basic is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members bind heparin and possess broad mitogenic and angiogenic activities. This protein has been implicated in diverse biological processes, such as limb and nervous system development, wound healing, and tumor growth. The mRNA for this gene contains multiple polyadenylation sites, and is alternatively translated from AUG and non-AUG (CUG) initiation codons resulting in 5 different isoforms with distinct properties. The CUG-initiated isoforms are localized in the nucleus and are responsible for the intracrine effect, whereas, the AUG-initiated form is mostly cytosolic and is responsible for the paracrine and autocrine effects of this FGF.
The heparin-binding growth factors are angiogenic agents in vivo and are potent mitogens for a variety of cell types in vitro. there are differences in the tissue distribution and concentration of these 2 growth factors.

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.

ARF6 is a part of the ADP ribosylation factor family of GTP-binding proteins. ARF6 is restricted to the plasma membrane, and controls vesicular trafficking, remodeling of membrane lipids, and signaling pathways which lead to actin remodeling. Furthermore, ARF6 is a key player in conservation of organelle integrity, assembly of coat proteins and activation of phospholipase D.

Gametocyte Specific Factor 1 (GTSF1) is a member of the UPF0224 (FAM112) family and contains 1 CHHC-type zinc finger. A key paralog of the GTSF1 gene is GTSF1L.

Transforming growth factor betas (TGFBetas) mediate many cell-cell interactions that occur during embryonic development. Three TGFBetas have been identified in mammals. TGFBeta1, TGFBeta2 and TGFBeta3 are each synthesized as precursor proteins that are very similar in that each is cleaved to yield a 112 amino acid polypeptide that remains associated with the latent portion of the molecule.

TFPI is a protease inhibitor which controls the tissue factor (TF)-dependent pathway of blood coagulation. The coagulation process starts with the creation of a factor VIIa-TF complex, that proteolytically triggers additional proteases (factors IX and X) and eventually results in a fibrin clot. TFPI inhibits the activated factor X and VIIa-TF proteases in an autoregulatory loop. TFPI is glycosylated and predominantly located in the vascular endothelium and plasma in both free forms and complexed with plasma lipoproteins. A number of alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have are known, however the full-length nature of several of these variants were not yet established.

SIL1 is localized to endoplasmic reticulum (ER). SIL1 is an N-linked glycoprotein with an N-terminal ER targeting sequence, 2 putative N-glycosylation sites, and a C-terminal ER retention signal. SIL1 acts as a nucleotide exchange factor for another unfolded protein response protein. Mutations in SIL1 are linked to Marinesco-Sjogren syndrome.

PTX3 is part of the pentraxin family sharing the C-terminal domain with short pentraxins and containing a unique N-terminal domain. PTX3 is produced and released at inflammatory sites by various cell types including monocytes/macrophages, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and adipocytes. PTX3 is involved in the regulation of innate resistance to pathogens, inflammatory reactions, possibly clearance of self-components and female fertility. PTX3 is used as a marker for disease activity of psoriasis. High serum PTX3 levels are associated with the disease severity of systemic sclerosis. Elevated serum PTX3 is associated with pulmonary fungal infections.

TNFRSF14, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is a type I transmembrane protein. TNFRSF14 is expressed in peripheral blood T cells, B cells, monocytes and in various tissues enriched in lymphoid cells. TNFRSF14 operates as a co-stimulatory factor for the activation of lymphoid cells and as a deterrent to infection by herpesvirus. Additionally, TNFRSF14 encourages the proliferation of T cells, and triggers apoptosis of various tumor cells.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL7) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. It is a protein that is released in large amounts from platelets following their activation. It stimulates various processes including mitogenesis, synthesis of extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism and synthesis of plasminogen activator.

TNFRSF6B is a member of the Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. TNFRSF6B performs as a decoy receptor which races against death receptors for ligand binding. TNFRSF6B has a regulatory role in suppressing FasL- and LIGHT-mediated cell death and T cell activation in addition to inducing angiogenesis via neutralization of TL1A.

Coagulation factor VII is a vitamin K-dependent factor which is essential for hemostasis. It circulates in the blood as a zymogen which is later converted to an active form by factor IXa, factor Xa, factor XIIa, or thrombin by minor proteolysis. Upon activation of factor VII, a heavy chain with a catalytic domain and a light chain with 2 EGF-like domains are generated, and the two chains are held together by a disulfide bond. The presence of factor III and calcium ions further activates the coagulation cascade by converting factor IX to factor IXa and/or factor X to factor Xa. Alternative splicing of factor VII results in 2 transcripts. Defects in coagulation factor VII can cause coagulopathy. Coagulation factor VII initiates the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Minor proteolysis converts factor VII to factor VIIa by factors Xa, XIIa, IXa, or thrombin. Factor VIIa also converts factor IX to factor IXa in the presence of tissue factor and calcium.

Ectodysplasin A Receptor, also known as EDAR belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. EDAR is a receptor for the soluble ligand ectodysplasin A, and is capable of activating the nuclear factor-kappaB, JNK, as well as caspase-independent cell death pathways. EDAR is necessary for the development of hair, teeth, and other ectodermal derivatives. Furthermore, mutations in EDAR resulted in autosomal dominant and recessive forms of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

Transforming growth factor betas (TGF Betas) mediate many cell-cell interactions that occur during embryonic development. Three TGF Betas have been identified in mammals. TGF Beta 1, TGF Beta 2 and TGF Beta 3 are each synthesized as precursor proteins that are very similar in that each is cleaved to yield a 112 amino acid polypeptide that remains associated with the latent portion of the molecule.

SUMF1 is a member of the SUMF family. SUMF1 catalyzes the hydrolysis of sulfate esters by oxidizing a cysteine residue in the substrate sulfatase to an active site 3-oxoalanine residue called C-alpha-formylglycine. Alterations in this gene result in multiple sulfatase deficiency which is a lysosomal storage disorder.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor also called LIF is a lymphoid factor that promotes long-term maintenance of embryonic stem cells by suppressing spontaneous differentiation. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor has several functions such as cholinergic neuron differentiation, control of stem cell pluripotency, bone & fat metabolism, mitogenesis of factor dependent cell lines & promotion of megakaryocyte production in vivo. Human and mouse LIF exhibit a 78% identity in its amino acid sequence.

Cadherin-5 (CDH5) belongs to the atypical/type 2 subgroup of Cadherin homophilic adhesion proteins. Cadherin-5 is a calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule, which is comprised of 5 extracellular cadherin repeats, a transmembrane region and a highly conserved cytoplasmic tail. Cadherin-5 protein plays a role in the formation, maturation and remodeling of the vascular wall. CDH5 is generally considered to be specific for vascular endothelia in which it is either the sole or the predominant cadherin, often co-existing with N-cadherin. Moreover, the CDH5 protein regulates or is regulated by VEGF R2, type 1 and type 2 TGF-beta receptors, and other endothelial junction proteins such as JAM-C, Claudin-5, and N-Cadherin. CDH5 also connects with alpha-catenin forming a link to the cytoskeleton. CDH5 functions jointly with KRIT1 to create and maintain correct endothelial cell polarity and vascular lumen. Furthermore, Cadherin-5 is essential for activation of PRKCZ and for the localization of phosphorylated PRKCZ, PARD3, TIAM1 and RAP1B to the cell junction. The CDH5 gene is located in a gene cluster in a region on the long arm of chromosome 16 which is involved in loss of heterozygosity events in breast and prostate cancer.