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Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins (MIP) belong to the family of chemotactic cytokines known as chemokines. In humans, there are two major forms, MIP-1a and MIP-1b that are now officially named CCL3 and CCL4 respectively. Both are major factors produced by macrophages after they are stimulated with bacterial endotoxins. They activate human granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophilsand basophils) which can lead to acute neutrophilic inflammation. They also induce the synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-a from fibroblasts and macrophages. The genes for CCL3 and CCL4 are both located on human chromosome 17.

CCL23 (MIP-3) is a ligand for the CCR1chemokine receptor. CCL23 is one of several cytokine genes clustered on the q-arm of chromosome 17, in a locus containing several other CC chemokines. MIP-3 chemoattracts monocytes, resting T-lymphocytes and neutrophils, but not activated lymphocytes. Furthermore, it was shown that MIP-3 inhibits colony formation of bone marrow myeloid immature progenitors. MIP-3 is mainly expressed in lung and liver tissue, but can be also found in bone marrow and placenta, as well as in some cell lines of myeloid origin.
Alternative splicing of the CCL23 gene produces 2 mRNAs which encode a short (CK?8) and a long (CK?81) isoform of the MIP-3. CK?8 cDNA encodes a 120 amino acid residue precursor protein with a putative 21 a.a. residue signal peptide which is cleaved to generate a 99 a.a. residue mature CK?8 (a.a. 22-120). Further N-terminal processing of the 99 a.a. residue variant can produce a 75 a.a. residue CK?8 (a.a. 46-120) which is considerably more active than the 99 a.a. residue variant.
MIP-3 may be involved in the malignant progression of certain human cancer cells which overexpress ErbB2 through the transactivation of ErbB2 tyrosine kinase. MIP-3 may also be involved in angiogenesis via upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 expression.

SAP18 is a component of the histone deacetylase complex which has a significant role in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. SAP18 directly interacts with SIN3 and enhances SIN3-mediated transcriptional repression once bound to the promoter. SAP18 plays an important part in gene-specific recruitment of the HDAC complex by a number of transcription factors including Gli, GAGA, and Bicoid. Histone acetylation is significant in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. Histone acetylation and deacetylation is catalyzed by multisubunit complexes. SAP18 is a component of the histone deacetylase complex, which includes SIN3, SAP30, HDAC1, HDAC2, RbAp46, RbAp48, and other polypeptides. SAP18 is a component of a splicing-dependent multiprotein EJC (exon junction complex) placed at splice junction on mRNAs.

NGF-beta has nerve growth stimulating activity and the complex is involved in the regulation of growth and the differentiation of sympathetic and certain sensory neurons. Mutations in this gene have been associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, type 5 (HSAN5), and dysregulation of this gene's expression is associated with allergic rhinitis.

C11ORF31 (Chromosome 11 Open Reading Frame 31) is a selenoprotein, which contains a selenocysteine (Sec) residue at its active site. The selenocysteine is encoded by the UGA codon which ordinarily signals translation termination. The 3' UTR of selenoprotein genes have a mutual stem-loop structure, the sec insertion sequence (SECIS), which is essential for the recognition of UGA as a Sec codon rather than as a stop signal. The exact function of the C11ORF31 gene is not known, however, selenoproteins are assumed to be responsible for most biomedical effects of dietary selenium. C11ORF31 is involved in a redox-related process.

CCL25 (Teck) is a novel CC chemokine, which is distantly related (about 20% amino acid sequence identity) to other CC chemokines. The mouse CCL25 cDNA has also been cloned and shown to encode a 144 a.a. protein, which exhibits 49% a.a. sequence identity to the human CCL25. Human and mouse CCL25 expression was shown to be greatly restricted to the thymus and small intestine. While dendritic cells are identified as the source of CCL25 production in the thymus, dendritic cells derived from bone marrow do not express CCL25. CCL25 signals through the CCR9 receptor. Teck is possibly involved in T-cell development.
Recombinant human and mouse Teck were shown to be chemotactic for activated macrophages, dendritic cells and thymocytes. The recombinant protein demonstrates chemotactic activity on thymocytes, macrophages, THP-1 cells, and dendritic cells but is inactive on peripheral blood lymphocytes and neutrophils.

Endothelial cells express three different vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, belonging to the family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They are named VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1), and VEGFR-3 (Flt-4). Their expression is almost exclusively restricted to endothelial cells, but VEGFR-1 can also be found on monocytes. All VEGF-receptors have seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular split tyrosine kinase domain. VEGFR-2 has a lower affinity for VEGF than the Flt-1 receptor, but a higher signalling activity. Mitogenic activity in endothelial cells is mainly mediated by VEGFR-2 leading to their proliferation. Differential splicing of the flt-1 gene leads to the formation of a secreted, soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1). No naturally occurring, secreted forms of VEGFR-2 have so far been reported. The binding of VEGF165 to VEGFR-2 is dependent on heparin.

RCAN2 is a member of the RCAN (Regulator of calcineurin) family that controls the activity of Calcineurin using a valine-rich region placed in their carboxyl tail. RCANs race against NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells) to bind to the same docking site in calcineurin, and consequently inhibits or activates calcineurin activity. RCAN2 is a Ca(2+) dependent protein phosphatase which takes part in numerous neuornal functions.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as EBI1 ligand chemokine (ELC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-3-beta (MIP-3-beta). CCL19 is expressed abundantly in thymus and lymph nodes, with moderate levels in trachea and colonand low levels in stomach, small intestine, lung, kidney and spleen. The gene for CCL19 is located on human chromosome 9. This chemokine elicits its effects on its target cells by binding to the chemokine receptor chemokine receptor CCR7. It attracts certain cells of the immune system, including dendritic cellsand antigen-engaged B cells.

IFN-alpha is produced by macrophages, IFN-alpha has antiviral activities and stimulates the production of two enzymes: a protein kinase and an oligoadenylate synthetase.

ElaC Ribonuclease Z 1, also known as ELAC1 is a member of the RNase Z family. Zinc phosphodiesterase, which shows some tRNA 3'-processing endonuclease activity. In addition, ELAC1 is implicated in tRNA maturation, by removing a 3'-trailer from precursor tRNA.

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.

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).

CYR61 is a growth factor-inducible, immediate-early gene that has multifaceted activities in various cancers. CYR61 is a secreted, cysteine-rich, binding protein which is encoded by a growth factor-inducible immediate-early gene. Acting as an extracellular, matrix-associated signaling molecule, CYR61 promotes the adhesion of endothelial cells through interaction with integrin and enhances growth factor-induced DNA synthesis in the same cell type.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor, related protein 3 (HDGFRP3/HDGF2) is the original member of a family of polypeptides labeled HDGF related proteins (HRPs). The HDGF2 protein augments DNA synthesis and may play a part in cell proliferation. HDGF2 is expressed primarily in the testis and the brain, to an intermediate extent in the heart, and to a slight extent in the ovaries, kidneys, spleen, and liver in humans.

Platelet factor-4 is a 70-amino acid protein that is released from the alpha-granules of activated platelets and binds with high affinity to heparin. Its major physiologic role appears to be neutralization of heparin-like molecules on the endothelial surface of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting local antithrombin III activity and promoting coagulation. As a strong chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts, PF4 probably has a role in inflammation and wound repair. Oncostatin-A is a member of the CXC chemokine family. Human PF4 is used for the proof of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Furthermore it is used as an inhibitor in the angiogenesis during tumor therapy.

Ro 60 kDa autoantigen is an RNA-binding protein that binds to several small cytoplasmic RNA molecules known as Y RNAs. SSA2 may stabilize these RNAs from degradation. Sera taken from patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) often contains antibodies that react with the normal cellular SSA2 protein as if this antigen was foreign.

CDKN1A holds a key part in the cellular response to DNA mutation. CDKN1A overexpression causes cell cycle to stop. When collaborating with CDK2 complexes, CDKN1A aids to prevent kinase activity and inhibits progression through G1/S. Nevertheless, CDKN1A can additionally increase assembly and activity in complexes of CDK4 or CDK6 and cyclin D. CDKN1A is a vital intermediary by which p53/TP53 facilitates its part as an inhibitor of cellular proliferation as a reaction to DNA impairment.

At least 23 different variants of IFN-alpha are known. The individual proteins have molecular masses between 19-26 kDa and consist of proteins with lengths of 156-166 and 172 amino acids. All IFN-alpha subtypes possess a common conserved sequence region between amino acid positions 115-151 while the amino-terminal ends are variable. Many IFN-alpha subtypes differ in their sequences at only one or two positions. Naturally occurring variants also include proteins truncated by 10 amino acids at the carboxy-terminal end.

IFN-alpha is produced by macrophages and has antiviral activities. Interferon stimulates the production of two enzymes: protein kinase and an oligoadenylate synthetase.

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that acts as a growth and differentiation factor for both B cells and eosinophils. IL5is a main regulator of eosinopoiesis, eosinophil maturation and activation. The elevated production of IL5is reported to be related to asthma or hypereosinophilic syndromes. The receptor of IL5is a heterodimer, whose beta subunit is shared with the receptors for interleukine 3 (IL3) and colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2/GM-CSF). IL5, together with those for interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 13 (IL13), and CSF2, form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5. IL5, IL4, and IL13 are found to be regulated coordinately by long-range regulatory elements spread over 120 kilobases on chromosome 5q31.

Insulin Receptor (INSR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase which mediates the pleiotropic actions of insulin. Binding of insulin to the insulin receptor (INSR) stimulates glucose uptake. Once the precursor signal peptide is removed, the insulin receptor precursor is post-translationally cleaved into 2 chains (alpha and beta) which are covalently linked. Insulin binding initiates phosphorylation of several intracellular substrates, including, insulin receptor substrates (IRS1, 2, 3, 4), SHC, GAB1, CBL and other signaling intermediates. Each of these phosphorylated proteins function as docking proteins for other signaling proteins which contain Src-homology-2 domains (SH2 domain) that specifically recognize different phosphotyrosines residues, including the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K and SHP2.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 8 (TNFRSF8) is a receptor for TNFSF8/CD30L. TNFRSF8 has a role in the regulation of cellular growth and transformation of activated lymphoblasts. In addition, the TNFRSF8 protein regulates gene expression via activation of NF-kappa-B. TNFRSF8 being a regulator of apoptosis, induces cell death or proliferation, depending on the cell type.

UBE2K belongs to the ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes family which take part in many cellular processes such as selective protein degradation, DNA repair, cell cycle control, and sporulation. In this mechanism, the ATP-coupled activation and subsequent ligation of ubiquitin are catalyzed by separate enzymes functionally linked by ubiquitin carrier protein UBC1. In addition, UBE2K is involved in Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and antigen processing through its interaction with amyloid-?, huntingtin, and MHC-heavy chain proteins.