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Kruppel-Like Factor 6 (KLF6) is a nuclear protein which has 3 zinc fingers. The zinc fingers of KLF6 are accountable for the specific DNA binding with the guanine-rich core promoter factors. The central region is involved in activation or posttranslational regulatory pathways, and the acidic N terminal domain takes part in the process of transcriptional activation.

Interleukin-3 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced primarily by activated T cells.
IL-3 is thought to function via specific cell surface receptors to stimulate the proliferation, differentiation and survival of haematopoietic cell lines. IL-3 has also been shown to affect the functional activity of a variety of other cell types including mast cells, eosinophils, megakaryocytes and basophils.

Proteins of the TFF family are characterized by obtaining a minimum of 1 copy of the trefoil motif, a 40-amino acid domain that contains 3 conserved disulfides. Trefoil Factors are stable secretory proteins expressed in gastrointestinal mucosa which protect the mucosa from insults, stabilize the mucus layer and affect healing of the epithelium.TFF2 inhibits gastric acid motility & secretion. TFF2 stabilizes glycoproteins in the mucus gel through interactions with carbohydrate side chains. TFF3 induces ciliogenesis and promotes airway epithelial ciliated cell differentiation, relatively through an epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent pathway. TFF3 overexpression is crucial for progression in mouse and human hepatocellular carcinogenesis. TFF-3 is normally expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and its expression associates with tumor grade.

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.

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.

GDF15 is part of the TGF-Beta superfamily that is involved in regulating inflammatory and apoptotic pathways in injured tissues and throughout disease processes. GDF15 is most abundant in the liver. Its expression in liver can be considerably up-regulated in during injury of organs such as liver, kidney, heart and lung. GDF-15 promotes proliferation or growth arrest and differentiation due to differences in cellular differentiation. GDF15 prevents apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons by activating Akt and inhibiting endogenously active ERK. GDF15 is a novel autocrine/endocrine factor that antagonizes the hypertrophic response and loss of ventricular performance.

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.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 16 (NGFR) BELONGS TO the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily with an extensive pattern of expression in tissues such as the brain, liver, lung, and muscle. NGFR has a role in the regulation of the translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface in adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells in response to insulin, possibly by regulating RAB31 activity, and thus contributes to the regulation of insulin-dependent glucose uptake. NGFRs are low affinity receptors which can bind to NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4. NGFR mediates cell survival as well as cell death of neural cells.

GDNF promotes the survival and differentiation of minergic neurons in culture, and is able to prevent apoptosis of motor neurons induced by axotomy. The encoded protein is processed to a mature secreted form that exists as a homodimer. The mature form of the protein is a ligand for the product of the RET (rearranged during transfection) protooncogene. In addition to the transcript encoding GDNF, two additional alternative transcripts encoding distinct proteins, referred to as astrocyte-derived trophic factors, have also been described. Mutations in this gene may be associated with Hirschsprung disease.
GDNF enhances survival and morphological differentiation of minergic neurons and increases their high-affinity uptake.

KLF4 is a transcription factor that performs as both an activator and repressor. KLF4 is expressed mainly in erythroid tissues and found mostly in gut. KLF4 is takes part in the differentiation of epithelial cells in addition to skeletal and kidney development.

Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (M CSF) or colony stimulating factor 1, is a cytokine, that promoted differentiation in hematopoietic stem cells to macrophages. Another role of M CSF is to bind to its receptor (colony stimulating factor 1 receptor) and to take part in placenta growth and development.

TGFBR2 is part of the Ser/Thr protein kinase family and the TGFB receptor subfamily. TGFBR2 is a transmembrane protein that has a protein kinase domain, forms a heterodimeric complex with another receptor protein, and binds TGF-beta. This receptor/ligand complex phosphorylates proteins, which then enter the nucleus and regulate the transcription of a subset of genes related to cell proliferation. Mutations in TGFBR2 gene have been associated with Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Deitz Aortic Aneurysm Syndrome, and the development of various types of tumors. TGFBR2 expression is increased in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. TGFBR2 attenuates the biological activities of TGF-beta in colorectal cancer. TGFBR2 expression is decreased by IL-1beta while inducing Sp3 via NFkappaB.

TGFBR2 is part of the Ser/Thr protein kinase family and the TGFB receptor subfamily. TGFBR2 is a transmembrane protein that has a protein kinase domain, forms a heterodimeric complex with another receptor protein, and binds TGF-beta. This receptor/ligand complex phosphorylates proteins, which then enter the nucleus and regulate the transcription of a subset of genes related to cell proliferation. Mutations in TGFBR2 gene have been associated with Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Deitz Aortic Aneurysm Syndrome, and the development of various types of tumors. TGFBR2 expression is increased in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. TGFBR2 attenuates the biological activities of TGF-beta in colorectal cancer. TGFBR2 expression is decreased by IL-1beta while inducing Sp3 via NFkappaB. TGFB2 and TGFBR2 are involved in the antiestrogenic activity of tamoxifen metabolites in breast cancer.

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.

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.

KIT, also known as KIT Proto-Oncogene Receptor Tyrosine, is a cytokine receptor which is expressed not only in hematopoietic stem cells but likewise in other cell types. KIT binds to receptor tyrosine kinase type III, which is a stem cell factor, also named a "rigid factor" or "c-kit ligand". Once this receptor binds to stem cell factor (SCF), it forms a dimer which activates intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, which sequentially phosphorylates & activates signaling molecules which breed signals in cells. This receptor protects vascular smooth muscle cells from apoptosis in addition to restoring cardiac function after myocardial infarction.

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.

Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 protein (Mfge8) is pleiotropic secreted glycoprotein which promotes mammary gland morphogenesis, angiogenesis, and tumor progression. Mfge8 has also an imperative role in tissue homeostasis and the prevention of inflammation. Mfge8 functions as a bridge between phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells and Integrin alpha V beta 3 on phagocytes, leading to the clearance of apoptotic debris.

Growth Differentiation Factor-7 (GDF-7) belongs to the BMP family of TGF-b superfamily proteins. GDF7 elicits its bioactivity via a heterodimeric receptor complex comprised of a type 1 (BMPR-IB) and a type II (BMPR-II or Activin RII) serine/threonine kinase receptor. GDF7 signaling results in the phosphorylation and activation of Smad proteins. GDF-7 is also involved in tendon and ligament formation and repair. In addition, GDF7 regulates bone formation, mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, neuronal differentiation, and axon guidance.

SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) is small cytokine belonging to the chemokine family that is officially designated Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12). It is produced in two forms, SDF-1?/CXCL12a and SDF-1?/CXCL12b, by alternate splicing of the same gene. Chemokines are characterized by the presence of four conserved cysteines, which form two disulfide bonds. The CXCL12 proteins belong to the group of CXC chemokines, whose initial pair of cysteines are separated by one intervening amino acid. CXCL12 is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and has been implicated as an important cell co-ordinator during development. During embryogenesis it directs the migration of hematopoietic cells from foetal liver to bone marrow. Mice which were knocked-out for CXCL12 gene were lethal before the birth or within just 1 hour of life. As another role, CXCL12a alters also the electrophysiology of neurons. CXCL12 was shown to be expressend in many tissues in mice (including brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and bone marrow).
The receptor for this chemokine is CXCR4, which was previously called fusin. This CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction used to be considered exclusive (unlike for other chemokines and their receptors), but recently it was suggested that CXCL12 is also bound by CXCR7 receptor.
The gene for CXCL12 is located on human chromosome 10. In human and mouse both CXCL12 and CXCR4 show high identity of sequence: 99% and 90%, respectively.

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.

RANKL binds to tnfrsf11b/opg and to tnfrsf11a/rank. Osteoclast differentiation and activation factor. Augments the ability of dendritic cells to stimulate naive t-cell proliferation. May be an important regulator of interactions between t-cells and dendritic cells and may play a role in the regulation of the t-cell-dependent immune response. sRANKL may also play an important role in enhanced bone-resorption in humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. By injecting soluble RANKL, novel osteopenia model mice were established in only 50 hours. Degree of bone loss can be controlled by changing doses of sRANKL. RANKL can be used in establishing osteopenia model for in vivo screening of drugs for osteoporosis, determination of effect and mechanism, evaluation of bone anabolic drugs.

IGFBP6 plays a role in lipoprotein assembly and dietary cholesterol absorption. in addition to its acyltransferase activity, it may act as a ligase. may provide cholesteryl esters for lipoprotein secretion from hepatocytes and intestinal mucosa.

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.