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MAP2K1 is a member of the dual specificity protein kinase family, which plays a role as a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase. MAP kinases, are recognized as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), that act as an integration position for multiple biochemical signals. MEK1 is located upstream of MAP kinases and stimulates the enzymatic activity of MAP kinases upon wide variety of extra- and intracellular signals. As a key player of MAP kinase signal transduction pathway, MEK1 is involved in many cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation and development. MAP2K1 catalyzes the concomitant phosphorylation of a threonine and a tyrosine residue in a thr-glu-tyr sequence located in map kinases. MEK1 activates erk1 and erk2 map kinases.

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.

Treponema pallidum is a gram-negative spirochaete bacterium and is considered to be metabolically crippled. There are at least four known subspecies: T. pallidum pallidum, T. pallidum pertenue, T. pallidum carateum and T. pallidum endemicum. The helical structure of T. pallidum pallidum allows it to move in a corkscrew motion through viscous mediums such as mucus. Treponema pallidum sub sp. pallidum has one of the smallest bacterial genomes at 1.14 million base pairs (Mb) and has limited metabolic capabilities, reflecting its adaptation through genome reduction to the rich environment of mammalian tissue.

MYC Induced Nuclear Antigen, also known as MINA is an oxygenase which can function both as a histone lysine demethylase and a ribosomal histidine hydroxylase. MINA is involved in the demethylation of trimethylated Lys-9 on histone H3 (H3K9me3), leading to an increase in ribosomal RNA expression. MINA also catalyzes the hydroxylation of 60S ribosomal protein L27a on His-39. In addition, MINA plays a significant role in cell growth and survival. MINA is implicated in ribosome biogenesis, probably in the duration of the assembly process of pre-ribosomal particles.

Melanoma Antigen Family B,10 also known as MAGEB10 is a member of the B subfamily of the melanoma associated antigen protein family. MAGEB10 is specifically expressed in testis and tumor cells. One of the diseases associated with MAGEB10 is melanoma.

The cytokine Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified to be secreted by the pituitary gland and the monocyte/macrophage and to play an important role in endotoxic shock. MIF has the unique property of being released from macrophages and T cells in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. The secretion of MIF is tightly regulated and decreases at high, anti-inflammatory steroid concentration.

Inositol monophosphatase1 (IMPA1) is responsible for the provision of inositol essential for synthesis of phosphatidylinositol and polyphosphoinositides. IMPA1 has a central role in the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway by catalyzing the hydrolysis of inositol monophosphates. IMPA1 has been recognized as the pharmacological target for lithium action in the brain. The IMPA1 enzyme has a magnesium-dependent phosphatase activity and is inhibited by therapeutic concentrations of lithium. Inhibition of inositol monophosphate hydroylosis and ensuing depletion of inositol for phosphatidylinositol synthesis may perhaps explain the anti-manic and anti-depressive effects of lithium administered to treat bipolar disorder.

X-Prolyl Aminopeptidase-1, also known as XPNPEP1 is a member of the peptidase M24B family. XPNPEP1 encodes the cytosolic form of a metalloaminopeptidase which catalyzes the cleavage of the N-terminal amino acid adjacent to a proline residue. Furthermore, XPNPEP1 plays a role in degradation as well as maturation of tachykinins, neuropeptides and peptide hormones.

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a family of secreted signaling molecules that can induce ectopic bone growth. Many BMPs are part of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. BMPs were originally identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site. Based on its expression early in embryogenesis, the BMP encoded by this gene has a proposed role in early development. In addition, the fact that this BMP is closely related to BMP5 and BMP7 has lead to speculation of possible bone inductive activity.

Glia Maturation Factor-Beta (GMF-Beta) is a 17 kDa protein nerve gorwth factor identified as a growth and differentiation factor in the vertebrate brain.
Glia Maturation Factor-Beta stimulates differentiation of normal neurons as well as glial cells. GMFB inhibits the proliferation of the N-18 neuroblastoma line and the C6 glioma line while promoting their phenotypic expression.
GMF-beta inhances the phenotypic expression of glia & neurons thus inhibits the proliferation of their respective tumors when added to cell culture. Although astrocytes produce GMF-b and stores it inside the cells, they don’t secrete the GMF-B into the cultured medium. Cell- surface GMFb acts on the target cells at close range when cells are in direct contact. GMF-Beta is produced by thymic epithelial cells and plays an important role in T cell development in favor of CD4+ T cells.
GMF-Beta is a brain-specific protein which belongs to the actin-binding proteins (ADF) family. GMF-beta appears to play a role in the differentiation, maintenance, and regeneration of the nervous system. It also supports the progression of certain auto-immune diseases, possibly through its ability to induce the production and secretion of various pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Hepatitis B virus x interacting protein (HBXIP) forms a complex with the C-terminus of hepatitis B virus X (HBX) protein. HBXIP negatively regulates HBX activity and changes the replicative life cycle of the virus. Furthermore, HBXIP is involved in bipolar spindle formation and regulates centrosome dynamics and cytokinesis in cells, possibly due to interaction with Dynein light chain. HBXIP is highly expressed in the skeletal and cardiac muscle, followed by pancreas, kidney, liver, brain, placenta and lung. HBXIP has elevated levels in both cancerous and non-cancerous liver tissue of patients with chronic HBV infection compared with hepatic tissue without HBV infection.

Myosin is a hexameric ATPase cellular motor protein, which is composed of 2 heavy chains, 2 non-phosphorylatable alkali light chains, and 2 phosphorylatable regulatory light chains.
MYL1 gene encodes a myosin alkali light chain expressed in fast skeletal muscle. Two transcript variants have been identified for the MYL1 gene. In humans MYL1 is localized to chromosome 2q32.1-qter. The Myl1 locus encodes two alkali myosin light chains- Mlc1f and Mlc3f, from two promoters that are differentially regulated throughout development. The Mlc1f promoter is active in embryonic, fetal and adult fast skeletal muscle while the Mlc3f promoter is upregulated during fetal development and stays on in adult fast skeletal muscle.

7-methylguanosine phosphate-specific 5'-nucleotidase (NT5C3B) includes transferase activity and nucleotide binding. Among NT5C3B’s related super-pathways are adenosine nucleotides degradation II and Pyrimidine metabolism. NT5C3B hydrolyzes 7-methylguanosine monophosphate (m(7)GMP) to 7-methylguanosine and inorganic phosphate. The specific activity for m(7)GMP guards cells against undesired retrieval of m(7)GMP and its incorporation into nucleic acids. In addition, NT5C3B has weak activity for CMP.

Pyroglutamyl-Peptidase I (PGPEP1) is an omega peptidase which detaches pyroglutamyl residues from the amino termini of peptides and proteins. PGPEP1 is a cytosolic cysteine peptidase which is expressed in most cell types. PGPEP1 enzyme has need of s a thiol-reducing agent for activity. PGPEP1 is possibly involved in the inactivation of biologically active peptides which have an amino terminal pyroglutamyl group, for instance peptides as neurotensin, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone, and thyrotropinreleasing hormone.

FKBP1A is a 12kDa protein initially discovered on an immune cells on the basis of its capability to bind as well as mediate the intracellular effect of the immunosuppressant FK506. FKBP1A is also known to mediate the action of Rapamycin-immunosuppressive agent. FKBP1A is part of the family of immunophilins, which have in common high affinity for immunosuppressant drugs and a peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase). Activity which participates in folding of proline-containing protein. In the absence of immunosuppressive ligands, FKBP1A is involved in intracellular calcium regulation by associating with 3 types of Ca2+ release channel complexes: skeletal ryanodine receptors, cardiac ryanodine receptors and the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor. FKBP1A also interact with TGF-beta type I receptor exerting an inhibitory effect on the TGF-beta signaling pathway. FKBP12 plays a role in modulation of ryanodine receptor isoform-1 (ryr-1), a component of the calcium release channel of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. FKBP1A increase the folding of proteins and catalyzes the cis-trans isomerization of proline imidic peptide bonds in oligopeptides.

GMDS is a member of the GDP-mannose 4,6-dehydratase family. GMDS uses NADP as a cofactor to catalyze the conversion of GDP-mannose to GDP-4-keto-6-deoxymannose. Defects in the gene encoding GMDS cause TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand)-induced apoptosis.

Mediator of ErbB2-driven cell motility 1 (MEMO1) is a member of the UPF0103 family. MEMO1 regulates cell migration by transmitting extracellular chemotactic signals to the microtubule cytoskeleton. Furthermore, MEMO1 controls the localization of APC and CLASP2 to the cell membrane, using the regulation of GSK3B activity. MEMO1 is essential for breast carcinoma cell migration, suggesting a key role in tumorigenesis. MEMO1 is also a mediator of ERBB2 signaling.

BMP2 belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. Bone morphogenic protein induces bone formation. BMP2 is a candidate gene for the autosomal dominant disease of fibrodysplasia (myositis) ossificans progressiva.

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase 2 (MAP2K2) is a dual specificity protein kinase, which is a member of the STE grouping of kinases and the MAP kinase kinase family. MAP2K2 is activated by a wide range of growth factors and cytokines and also by membrane depolarization and calcium influx. The MAP2K2 kinase is known for its vital role in mitogen growth factor signal transduction. MAP2K2 phosphorylates and consequently activates MAPK1/ERK2 and MAPK2/ERK3. The activation of the MAP2K2 kinase itself is dependent on the Ser/Thr phosphorylation by MAP kinase kinase kinases. The inhibition or degradation of the MAP2K2 kinase is also found to be involved in the pathogenesis of Yersinia and anthrax. MAP2K2 gene mutations cause cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC syndrome).

BPGM is found at high concentrations in red blood cells where it binds to and decreases the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin. PGM deficiency increases the oxygen affinity of cells. BPGM is a multifunctional enzyme that catalyzes 2,3-DPG synthesis through its synthetase activity, and 2,3-DPG degradation using its phosphatase activity. BPGM has phosphoglycerate phosphomutase activity. Mutations in BPGM cause hemolytic anemia. BPGM catalyzes the reaction of EC 5.4.2.1 (mutase) and EC 3.1.3.13 (phosphatase), but with a reduced activity.

The cytokine Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified to be secreted by the pituitary gland and the monocyte/macrophage and to play an important role in endotoxic shock. MIF has the unique property of being released from macrophages and T cells in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. The secretion of MIF is tightly regulated and decreases at high, anti-inflammatory steroid concentration.

Alpha 1-microglobulin (A1M) is a lipocalin superfamily member (kernal lipocalins). A1M is a low molecular weight protein component of plasma. A1M is distributed in plasma and extravascular compartments of all organs. Alpha-1 Microglobulin is found in mammals, birds, amphibians and fish. The primary sites of A1M synthesis are the liver and the kidney. Around the opening of the lipocalin pocket three lysyl residues are situated; those residues carry yellow-brown modification derived from the binding and degradation of heme and kynurenin (a tryptophan metabolite). A1-Microglobulin’s reductase and dehydrogenase have broad biological substrate specificity properties due to its’ free cysteine side-chain which is located in a flexible loop. Alpha-1-microglobulin is glycosylated by three separate carbohydrate chains: two complex carbohydrates which are N-linked to asparagines at residues 17 and 96, and the other simple carbohydrate which is O-linked to threonine at position 5. The carbohydrates comprise 22% of the total molecular mass of the protein. The glycosylation varies between species. A1M exists in two forms- a free form and complexed to other macromolecules: in humans- complexed to immunoglobulin A (IgA), in rat- complexed to alpha-1-inhibitor-3. Free A1M is exceptionally heterogeneous in charge (therefore also known as protein HC), and is found tightly linked to a chromophore. The free Alpha-1-microglobulin is a monomeric protein composed of one 188 residue polypeptide and contains three cysteines, two of which (residues 75 and 173) form a conserved intra-molecular disulphide link. The chromophoric group is covalently bound to the free cysteine residue at position 34. A1M binds retinol as a major ligand, but this is probably distinct from its covalent chromophore. Half of all human plasma A1M (approximately 0.03mg/ml) forms a 1:1 complex with about 5% of plasma immunoglobulin A. The resulting macromolecular complexes’ molecular weight is 200000, and a plasma concentration of 0.3mg/ml. The complex can exhibit both antibody activity and affect many of the biological actions of free Alpha-1-microglobulin. Alpha-1-microglobulin was first discovered in pathological human urine. It was suggested that A1M might be involved in tissue defense against reactive oxygen species, oxidation by heme and kynurenin. Evidence also suggests that A1M functions in the regulation of the immune system. Other functions include: inhibition of stimulation of cultured lymphocytes by protein antigens; induction of cell division of lymphocytes, a mitogenic effect that can either be enhanced or inhibited by the action of other plasma components; inhibition of neutrophil granulocyte migration in vitro; and inhibition of chemotaxis.
Other functions include inhibition of stimulation of cultured lymphocytes by protein antigens; induction of cell division of lymphocytes, a mitogenic effect that can either be enhanced or inhibited by the action of other plasma components; inhibition of neutrophil granulocyte migration in vitro; and inhibition of chemotaxis.

Myristate, a rare 14-carbon saturated fatty acid, is co-translationally attached by an amide linkage to the N-terminal glycine residue of cellular & viral proteins with various functions. N-Myristoyltransferase 1, also known as NMT1 catalyzes the transfer of myristate from CoA to proteins. NMT1 seems to be irreversible and is essential for full expression of the biologic activities of several N-myristoylated proteins, as well as the alpha subunit of the signal-transducing guanine nucleotide-binding protein, G protein.

GDF8 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. This gene is thought to encode a secreted protein which negatively regulates skeletal muscle growth.