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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).

Escherichia coli Hsp31 (HchA) is a homodimeric member of the ThiI/DJ-1/PfpI superfamily which combines molecular chaperone and aminopeptidase activities. HchA uses temperature-induced exposure of structured hydrophobic domains to capture and stabilize early unfolding protein intermediates under severe thermal stress.

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).

Heparanase is an endo β-D-glucuronidase, which degrades heparan sulfate side chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in the extracellular matrix. Heparanase plays an important role in ECM degradation, facilitating the migration and extravasation of tumor cells and inflammatory leukocytes (1,2,3). Upon degradation, heparanase releases growth factors and cytokines that stimulate cell proliferation and chemotaxis (4,5). Heparanase is a heterodimer comprised of a 50 kDa subunit harboring the active site and a 8 kDa subunit. It is produced as a latent 65 kDa precursor and proteolytically processed to its active form (1,6). Heparanase is highly expressed in myeloid leukocytes (i.e. neutrophils) in platelets and in human placenta. Human heparanase was found to be upregulated in various types of primary tumors, correlating in some cases with increased tumor invasiveness and vascularity and with poor prospective survival (7,8).

Zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is found in body fluids such as serum, sweat, and seminal and breast cyst fluids. It is identical in amino acid sequence to tumor-derived lipid mobilizing factor (LMF), a protein associated with the dramatic loss of adipose body stores in cancer cachexia, and has been shown to stimulate lipolysis by adipocytes in vivo and in vitro. A role for ZAG has been proposed in the regulation of body weight, and age-dependent changes in genetically influenced obesity, and also it regulates melanin production by normal and malignant melanocytes. It has also recently been classified as a novel adipokine in that it is produced by both white and brown fat adipocytes and may act in a local autocrine fashion in the reduction of adiposity in cachexia. Controlling ZAG/LMF's activity could be life-saving in the management of certain cancers and other cachexiainducing conditions, and its possible normal role in body fat store homeostasis is deserving of understanding in its own right. ZAG exhibits a class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) fold but is a soluble protein rather than being anchored to plasma membranes and does not associate with alpha-2-microglobulin in humans. Like antigen-presenting MHC class I proteins, ZAG has an open apical groove, and X-ray crystallography of human derived ZAG revealed an unidentifiable electron density in a similar position to that occupied by antigenic peptides in classical MHC proteins and glycolipids in isoforms of CD1. This presumptive ligand is not a peptide, and the groove is too small to hold a glycolipid such as is presented by CD1 isoforms. By analogy with all other MHC class I-related proteins that have an open apical groove [some do not ], occupancy by a ligand is probably crucial to ZAG's biological function. Despite all of the structural and biochemical evidence that ZAG binds a ligand, none has so far been found by extraction from protein isolated from biological fluids. This difficulty could be because the ligand is labile, heterogeneous, or readily lost during purification procedures. Knowing more about how ZAG interacts with the compounds it has been found to bind, both natural and artificial, will inform searches for the elusive ligand(s) and its/their role in ZAG's signaling function.

Heparanase is an endo-β-D-glucuronidase, which degrades heparan sulfate side chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in the extracellular matrix. Heparanase plays an important role in ECM degradation, facilitating the migration and extravasation of tumor cells and inflammatory leukocytes (1,2,3). Upon degradation, heparanase releases growth factors and cytokines that stimulate cell proliferation and chemotaxis (4,5). Heparanase is a heterodimer comprised of a 50 kDa subunit harboring the active site and a 8 kDa subunit. It is produced as a latent 65 kDa precursor and proteolytically processed to its active form (1,6). Heparanase is highly expressed in myeloid leukocytes (i.e. neutrophils) in platelets and in human placenta. Human heparanase was found to be upregulated in various types of primary tumors, correlating in some cases with increased tumor invasiveness and vascularity and with poor prospective survival (7,8).

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) are antibody molecules. Each IgG is composed of four peptide chains - 2 heavy chains g and 2 light chains. Also, each IgG has 2 antigen binding sites. IgG antibodies are involved in primarily the secondary immune response. The presence of specific IgG, generally, relates to maturation of the antibody response. IgG also has an imperative role in Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and Intracellular antibody-mediated proteolysis, in which it binds to TRIM21 (the receptor with greatest affinity to IgG in humans) in order to direct marked virions to the proteasome in the cytosol.

Hexokinases phosphorylate glucose to produce glucose-6-phosphate, thus committing glucose to the glycolytic pathway. HK3 encodes hexokinase 3. Similar to hexokinases 1 and 2, this allosteric enzyme is inhibited by its product glucose-6-phosphate. Hexokinase3 lacks the hydrophobic N-terminal sequence critical for targeting to mitochondria. Hexpkinase3 may have anabolic functions, providing H6P for glycogen or lipid synthesis.

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).

Collagen triple helix repeat-containing protein 1 (CTHRC1) functions as a negative regulator of collagen matrix deposition. CTHRC1 is a secreted 28kDa protein which is glycosylated and highly conserved from lower chordates to mammals. CTHRC1 is highly connected with calcified tissues and cartilaginous matrix, but not with endothelial cells. CTHRC1 is detected qualitatively in plasma of healthy human subjects. CTHRC1 plasma levels are also significantly elevated during pregnancy, in diabetes, in inflammatory and infectious conditions, in subjects with acute myeloid leukemia but not in subjects with solid cancers. The hormonal functions of CTHRC1 include regulation of lipid storage and cellular glycogen levels with potentially far-reaching implications for cell metabolism and physiology. CTHRC1 gene deletion leads to fatty liver (steatosis) formation in mice while others exhibited inactivation of the CTHRC1 gene also results in low bone mass.

Tubulointerstitial Nephritis Antigen Like 1 also known as TINAGL1 is similar in sequence to tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen, a secreted glycoprotein which is identified by antibodies in several types of immune-related tubulointerstitial nephritis. Three transcript variants encoding different isoforms are known for TINAGL1.

Heat-stable enterotoxins (STa) are small, cysteine-rich peptides secreted by Escherichia coli that are able to induce diarrhea through the stimulation of an intestine-specific receptor-guanylyl cyclase known as STaR. Binding of STa to STaR induces a dramatic increase in the cGMP content of the cell; the increase, in turn, inhibits salt absorption and stimulates chloride secretion. This imbalance of ions is accompanied by a massive accumulation of water in the gut that gives rise to the diarrhea and dehydration characteristic of enterotoxin activity. The identification of a receptor for STa on intestinal brush border membranes suggested the existence of an endogenous activator, described guanylin, a 15-amino acid peptide purified from rat small intestine, as a potential ligand for the STaR. This peptide shares sequence similarity with STa; see also uroguanylin. The molecular cloning of the human and mouse cDNAs encoding guanylin was reported. The sequences demonstrated that guanylin is present at the C-terminal end of a larger precursor protein. Expression in mammalian cells indicated that the 94- amino acid proguanylin is inactive. The biologically active guanylin can be released by either chemical or enzymatic treatment of proguanylin. By Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization, showed that expression of guanylin mRNA is restricted to cells of the intestinal epithelium, specifically the Paneth cells at the base of the small intestinal crypts. These results demonstrate that guanylin is an endogenous activator of STaR isolated a cDNA encoding an apparent precursor of guanylin from a human intestinal cDNA library. The mRNA was expressed at high levels in human ileum and colon. In the mouse, interspecific backcross analysis used to map the Guca2 gene to the distal half of mouse chromosome 4 in a region of homology with human chromosome 1p. By fluorescence in situ hybridization mapped the GUCA2 gene to human 1p35-p34 Guanylin is thought to modulate intestinal water/electrolyte transport in a paracrine mode reported the nucleotide sequence of the gene, the characteristics of its circulating molecular form, and its localization in enterochromaffin cells of the gut. The gene, approximately 2.6 kb in size, consists of 3 exons interrupted by 2 introns. The hormonal form of guanylin is a 94-amino acid peptide with a molecular mass of 10.3 kDa. Guanylin is synthesized by gut enterochromaffin cells as a prohormone of 115 amino acids and is processed to the molecular form of 94 amino acids circulating in the blood.

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 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).

Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II DO Beta (HLA-DOB) is a part of the HLA class II beta chain paralogues. This class II beta chain is a heterodimer which is located in intracellular vesicles and consists of an alpha (DOA) and a beta chain (DOB), both anchored in the membrane. HLA-DOB which interacts with the HLA-DM molecule in B-cells is a significant modulator in the HLA class II restricted antigen presentation pathway. Class II molecules are expressed in antigen presenting cells such as B lymphocytes, dendritic cells and macrophages.

Thymine-DNA glycosylase (TDG) is a member of the TDG/mug DNA glycosylase family.
TDG is a nuclear protein that fixes G/T mismatches to G/C pairs by hydrolyzing the carbon-nitrogen bond between the sugar-phosphate backbone of the DNA and the mispaired thymin. In addition, TDG removes uracil and 5-bromouracil from mispairings with guanine. The TDG enzyme has an essential role in cellular defense against genetic mutation triggered by the spontaneous deamination of 5-methylcytosine and cytosine.

GAMT is a methyltransferase that transfers guanidoacetate to creatine, using S-adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor. Defects GAMT gene result in neurologic syndromes and muscular hypotonia, probably due to creatine deficiency and accumulation of guanidinoacetate in the brain of affected individuals. GAMT take parts in the two-step synthesis of creatine from the protein building blocks glycine, arginine, and methionine. GAMT takes part in supplying the energy for muscle contraction, and is in addition a significant player in nervous system functioning. GAMT is active in the liver, pancreas, and kidne.

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).

GCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes. The active protein is found extracellularly. Three transcript variants encoding three different isoforms have been found for this gene.
Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. This csf induces granulocytes.

Uteroglobin (SCGB1A1) which belongs to the Secretoglobin (SCGBs) superfamily, is a multifunctional protein that exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic effects by binding small hydrophobic molecules such as phospholipids and prostaglandins. Uteroglobin is involved in numerous functions including anti-inflammation, inhibition of phospholipase A2 and the sequestering of hydrophobic ligands. SCGB1A1 is expressed by Clara cells, the non-ciliated, non-mucous secretory cells predominant in lung bronchioles, and by other epithelia which communicate with the external environment. On top of sequestering pro-inflammatory mediators and carcinogens, Uteroglobin is implicated in the inhibition of cell migration and invasion, platelet aggregation, and T cell differentiation. SCGB1A1 gene defects are associated with a susceptibility to asthma.

Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I F (HLA-F) belongs to the MHC family which takes part in the presentation of antigens to the T cell receptor. HLA-F is a member of the class I molecules which are expressed in virtually all cells. There are 2 classes of HLA antigens. Class I molecules takes an important part in the immune system by presenting peptides derived from the endoplasmic reticulum.

HNRNPC is a member of the subfamily of ubiquitously expressed heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) which are related to pre mRNAs in the nucleus and effect pre mRNA processing and other aspects of mRNA metabolism and transport. Although all of the hnRNPs are present in the nucleus, several hnRNPs travel between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The hnRNP proteins have specific nucleic acid binding properties.

Cyclin B1 (CCNB1) is a regulatory protein involved in mitosis. CCNB1 creates a complex with p34(cdc2) to form the maturation-promoting factor (MPF). CCNB1 is vital for the control of the cell cycle at the G2/M (mitosis) transition. CCNB1 builds up steadily during the G2 and is immediately destroyed at mitosis. The 2 alternative transcripts produce a constitutively expressed transcript and a cell cycle-regulated transcript which is expressed predominantly during G2/M phase. These transcripts are a result of alternate transcription initiation sites.

Glutamyl-TRNA Amidotransferase, Subunit C also known as GATC allows the formation of properly charged Gln-tRNA(Gln) through the transamidation of misacylated Glu-tRNA(Gln) in the mitochondria. The reaction occurs in the attendance of glutamine and ATP through an activated gamma-phospho-Glu-tRNA(Gln). In addition, GATC is subunit of the heterotrimeric GatCAB amidotransferase (AdT) complex, composed of A (QRSL1), B (PET112) and C (GATC) subunits.