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Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) is also known as "extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2" (ERK2). Two similar (85% sequence identity) protein kinases were originally called ERK1 and ERK2. They were found during a search for protein kinases that are rapidly phosphorylated after activation of cell surface tyrosine kinasessuch as the epidermal growth factor receptor. Phosphorylation of ERKs leads to the activation of their kinase activity.
The molecular events linking cell surface receptors to activation of ERKs are complex. It was found that RasGTP-binding proteins are involved in the activation of ERKs. Another protein kinase, Raf-1, was shown to phosphorylate a "MAPK kinase", thus qualifying as a "MAPK kinase kinase". The MAPK kinase was named "MAPK/ERK kinase" (MEK).
Receptor-linked tyrosine kinases, Ras, Raf, MEK and MAPK could be fitted into a signaling cascade linking an extracellular signal to MAPK activation.
Transgenic gene knockoutmice lacking MAPK1 have major defects in early development.

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.

NKp30 is a natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) that may assist NK cells in the lysis of tumor cells. NKp30 interacts with CD3-zeta (CD247), a T-cell receptor. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the 5'' untranslated region of the NKp30 gene has been linked to mild malaria susceptibility.

TP53I3 participates in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). TP53I3 has low NADPH-dependent naphtoquinone reductase activity, with a preference for 1,2-naphtoquinone over 1,4-naphtoquinone. TP53I3 has low NADPH-dependent diamine reductase activity (in vitro). TP53I3 is localized to the cytoplasm and induced in primary, non-transformed and transformed cell cultures after exposure to genotoxic agents. TP53I3 microsatellite polymorphism is associated with differential susceptibility to cancer.

Maltose Binding Protein is a member of the maltose/maltodextrin system of E.Coli, which is accountable for the uptake and efficient catabolism of maltodextrins. The maltose/maltodextrin is a complex regulatory and transport system involving many proteins and protein complexes. MBP elevates the yield of its fusion partner in many cases and is often able to promote the solubility of polypeptides to which it is fused.

Gamma-glutamylaminecyclotransferase (A2LD1) is an enzyme which converts gamma-glutamylamines to free amines and 5-oxoproline. A2LD1 demonstrates high activity toward gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine, derived from the breakdown of fibrin and other proteins cross-linked by transglutaminases. A2LD1 assists in the proteolytic degradation of crosslinked fibrin by breaking down isodipeptide L-gamma-glutamyl-L-epsilon-lysine, which is a byproduct of fibrin degradation. The reaction catalyzed by the A2LD1 produces 5-oxo-L-proline and a free alkylamine.

HP-NAP protects DNA from oxidative damage by sequestering intracellular Fe2+ ion and storing it in the form of Fe3+ oxyhydroxide mineral. One hydrogen peroxide oxidizes two Fe2+ ions, thus preventing hydroxyl radical production by the Fenton reaction. HP-NAP is necessary for the survival in the presence of oxidative stress. Dps is also a virulence factor which activates neutrophils, mast cells and monocytes. HP-NAP binds to neutrophil-glycosphingolipids and to sulfated carbohydrates on mucin. HP-NAP might play a part in the accumulation of neutrophils and monocytes at the site of infection. HP-NAP induces superoxide anion generation, adhesion and chemotaxis of neutrophils, via a pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway involving MAP kinases.

TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR or C12ORF5), is a 270 amino acid protein induced by the p53 tumor suppressor pathway that functions to protect against oxidative stress. C12ORF5 specifically functions to block glycolysis, leading the pathway to the pentose phosphate shunt and decreasing the intracellular concentration of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, it is thought that C12ORF5 may act to modulate the apoptotic response to p53, thus allowing cells to survive mild or transient stresses.

CBFB beta subunit is a heterodimeric core-binding transcription factor that is part of the PEBP2/CBF transcription factor family which controls a host of genes particulary to hematopoiesis and osteogenesis. CBFB is a non-DNA binding regulatory subunit which increases DNA binding by alpha subunit.

Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIGR) is responsible for transcytosis of soluble dimeric IgAs and immune. PIGR binds polymeric IgA and IgM at the basolateral surface of epithelial cells, then the complex is transported across the cell to be secreted at the apical surface.cytokines, hormones, and pathogenic stimuliregulate PIGR expression. The expression of PIGR is critically regulated by the pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ.

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.

NDRG1 is a cytoplasmic protein that is involved in stress responses, hormone responses, cell growth, and differentiation. NDRG1 is one of 4 members of the NDRG ?/?-hydrolase family. NDRG1 is classified in databases as a tumor suppressor and heavy metal-response protein. NDRG1’s functions include cell-cycle regulation, cellular differentiation, apoptosis, hypoxia response and metal-ion sensing. NDRG1 is also essential for p53-mediated caspase activation and apoptosis. The NDRG1 is a Rab4a effector that is involved in vesicular recycling of E-cadherin. NDRG1 is ubiquitous; it is expressed most notably in placental membranes and prostate, kidney, small intestine, and ovary tissues. NDRG1 has reduced expression in adenocarcinomas compared to normal tissues.
NDRG1 gene mutations are reported to be the cause for hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy-Lom (HMSNL), which is a severe autosomal recessive form of Charcot- Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. In addition, decreased NDRG1 expression in glioma is linked to tumor progression. On the other hand, overexpression of NDRG1 is connected to malignant status of esophageal cancer. NDRG1 may also have a role in portal vein invasion and intrahepatic metastasis in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Nucleophosmin (NPM1) is a phosphoprotein which shuffles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. NPM1 is assumed to be involved in a number of processes including regulation of the ARF/p53 pathway. Several genes fusion partners have been described, particularly the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene on chromosome 2. NPM1 gene mutations are linked with acute myeloid leukemia.

C16ORF53 is a component of a Set1-like multiprotein histone methyltransferase complex. C16ORF53 interacts with PAXIP1/PTIP; this interaction is direct and is necessary for the association with the rest of the PTIP complex. The C16ORF53 protein has a crucial role in maintaining genome stability, condensation of chromatin and progression through mitosis.

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.

PGK1 is an X-linked enzyme that has a major role in the glycolytic pathway. PGK1 is a glycolytic enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of 1,3-diphosphoglycerate to 3-phosphoglycerate, generating an ATP molecule. PGK1 may also act as a cofactor for polymerase alpha. Defects in the PGK1 gene are usually associated with chronic hemolytic anemia, though it can be accompanied by either mental retardation or muscular disease (rhabdomyolysis). Overexpression of PGK1 and its signalling targets are possibly an expression-pathway in diffuse primary gastric carcinomas promoting peritoneal dissemination. It was shown that PGK1 is differentially expressed in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from patients with schizophrenia.

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), VEGFR-3 (Flt-4). Their expression is almost exclusively restricted to endothelial cells, but VEGFR-1 can also be found on monocytes, dendritic cells and on trophoblast cells. The flt-1 gene was first described in 1990. The receptor contains seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular splited tyrosine kinase domain. Compared to VEGFR-2 the Flt-1 receptor has a higher affinity for VEGF but a weaker signaling activity. VEGFR-1 thus leads not to proliferation of endothelial cells, but mediates signals for differentiation. Interestingly a naturally occuring soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) was found in HUVE supernatants in 1996, which is generated by alternative splicing of the flt-1 mRNA. The biological functions of sVEGFR-1 still are not clear, but it seems to be an endogenous regulator of angiogenesis, binding VEGF with the same affinity as the full-length receptor.

ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 are angiopoietin-like proteins secreted and expressed mainly by the liver, their role being the regulation of triglyceride metabolism by inhibiting the lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. During different nutritional states (feeding/fasting) the levels of the circulating triglycerides are regulated by Angptl3 and Angptl4 through differential inhibition of Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) as shown by the experimental data. The molecular structure of ANGPTL3 is similar to that of the angiopoietins (vascular endothelial growth factors). Deletion mutants of human Angiopoietin 5 were used in order to demonstrate that the N-terminal domain (fragment 17-207) and not the C-terminal fibrinogen-like domain (fragment 207-460) increased the plasma triglyceride levels in mice.

TNFAIP3-interacting protein 1 (TNIP1) interacts with zinc finger protein A20/TNFAIP3 and inhibits TNF-induced NF-kappa-B-dependent gene expression by interfering with a RIP- or TRAF2-mediated transactivation signal. Furthermore, TNIP1 interacts with HIV-1 matrix protein and is packaged into virions and its overexpression can inhibit viral replication. TNIP1 can regulate matrix nuclear localization, both nuclear import of Preintegration complex (PIC) and export of GAG polyprotein and viral genomic RNA during virion production.

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.

Factor that is thought to be a regulator of hematopoiesis. It has been shown to enhance the growth of human mast cells and megakaryoblastic leukemic cells as well as murine helper t-cell clones. IL-9 is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 32-39 that is derived from T-cells, and maps to human chromosome 5.

PEDF is a noninhibitory serpin with neurotrophic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-tumorigenic properties. PEDF is a 50,000 dalton glycoprotein created and secreted in many tissues all the way through the body. A key component of the anti-angiogenic action of PEDF is the induction of apoptosis in proliferating endothelial cells. Additionally, PEDF is capable to inhibit the activity of angiogenic factors such as VEGF and FGF-2. The neuro-protective effects of PEDF are achieved through suppression of neuronal apoptosis induced by peroxide, glutamate, or other neurotoxins. The recognition of a lipase-linked cell membrane receptor for PEDF (PEDF-R) that binds to PEDF with high affinity should facilitate further elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of this pluripotent serpin. To date, PEDF-R is the only signaling receptor known to be used by a serpin family member. The unique range of PEDF activities associate it as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of vasculature related neurodegenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). PEDF in addition has the potential to be functional in the treatment of various angiogenesis-related diseases including a number of cancers.

CFLAR contains two death effector domains (DEDs) and a caspase-like domain. CFLAR may play a critical role between cell survival and cell death pathway in mammalian cells. CFLAR also interacts with adapter protein FADD and caspase-8 and -10, and potently inhibits apoptosis induced by all known death receptors DR3 (death receptor 3), TRAIL-R (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor) and TNFR1 (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1).

Rho-related GTP-binding protein RhoB (RhoB) belongs to the Rho GTP-binding protein family. RhoB facilitates apoptosis in neoplastically transformed cells after DNA damage. RhoB has a negative role in tumorigenesis since deletion causes tumor formation.