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SPARC, an acronym for “secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine”, is also known as osteonectin or BM-40. It is the founding member of a family of secreted matricellular proteins with similar domain structure. The 303 amino acid, 43 kDa protein contains a 17 aa signal sequence, an N-terminal acidic region that binds calcium, a follistatin domain containing Kazal-like sequences, and a C-terminal extracellular calcium (EC) binding domain with two EF-hand motifs. SPARC is produced by fibroblasts, capillary endothelial cells, platelets and macrophages, especially in areas of tissue morphogenesis and remodeling. SPARC shows context-specific effects, but generally inhibits adhesion, spreading and proliferation, and promotes collagen matrix formation. For endothelial cells, SPARC disrupts focal adhesions and binds and sequesters PDGF and VEGF. SPARC is abundantly expressed in bone, where it promotes osteoblast differentiation and inhibits adipogenesis.

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.

Mouse MIP-1 gamma is 75% identical in its amino acid compostion as compared to the rat specie. MIP-1 gamma is a CC chemokine localized in murine blood and a widespread range of murine tissues, without having an identified human homolog. MIP-1 gamma signals through the CCR1 receptor. MIP-1 gamma chemoattracts neutrophils and also inhibits colony formation of bone marrow myeloid immature progenitors. MIP-1 gamma has six cysteines including the four highly conserved cysteine residues present in CC chemokines.

LIN28 plays an important role as a 'translational enhancer', leading specific mRNAs to polysomes and therefore increasing the competence of protein synthesis. LIN28 is a marker of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells and it enhances the efficiency of the formation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from human fibroblasts. LIN28 binds to the let-7 pre-miRNA and blocks production of the mature let-7 microRNA in mouse embryonic stem cells. Overexpression of LIN28 is associated with human germ-cell tumors.

S100A9 is part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100A9 protein is localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a wide range of cells, and participates in the regulation of several cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100 genes include no less than 13 proteins which are localized as a cluster on chromosome 1q21. S100A9 is involved in the inhibition of casein kinase and altered expression of this protein is associated with the disease cystic fibrosis.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 3, also known as CEACAM3, is a member of the immunoglobulin super family. The genes in this family encode cell adhesion proteins, which are expressed at higher levels in tumorous tissues rather than in normal tissues. CEACAM3 plays a significant part in the clearance of pathogens through the innate immune system. In addition, CEACAM3 is accountable for RAC1 stimulation in the course of pathogen phagocytosis.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a dominant inherited syndrome characterized by the predisposition to develop various kinds of benign and malignant tumors, including clear cell renal carcinomas, pheochromocytomas and hemangioblastomas of the central nervous system and retina. VHL syndrome is caused by germline mutation in the VHL tumor suppressor, and VHL tumors are associated with loss or mutation of the remaining wild-type allele. VHL has two domains: a roughly 100-residue NH2-terminal domain rich in b sheet (b-domain) and a smaller a-helical domain (a-domain), held together by two linkers and a polar interface. VHL protein is also involved in the degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF).

ICAM-1 also called CD54 is a single chain membrane glycoprotein expressed on the surface of a variety of non-haematopoietic and haematopoietic cell types and has roles in signal transduction, cell signaling and lymphocyte adhesion. ICAM1 binds to integrins such as CD11a / CD18, or CD11b / CD18. ICAM1 is also used by Rhinovirus as a receptor. ICAM-1 is an intercellular adhesion molecule constantly present in low concentrations in the membranes of leukocytes and endothelial cells. When stimulated by cytokine the concentrations significantly increase. ICAM-1 can be stimulated by interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) and is expressed by the vascular endothelium, macrophages and lymphocytes. ICAM-1 is a ligand for LFA-1 which is a receptor found on leukocytes. Upon activation, leukocytes bind to endothelial cells via ICAM-1/LFA-1 and then transmigrate into tissues. ICAM-1 is implicated in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Levels of ICAM-1 are shown to be notably elevated in patients with SAH. Soluble ICAM-1 is detectable in the plasma and is elevated in patients with various inflammatory conditions.

Mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) is vital for innate immune defense against viruses. MAVS is an intermediary protein essential in the virus-triggered IFN-beta signaling pathways. MAVS is involved in activation of transcription factors that regulate expression of IFN-beta and contributes to antiviral immunity.

FADD is an adaptor protein that cooperates with a variety of cell surface receptors and mediates cell apoptotic signals. Using its C-terminal death domain, FADD is recruited by TNFRSF6/Fas-receptor, tumor necrosis factor receptor, TNFRSF25, and TNFSF10/TRAIL-receptor, and consequently it take parts in the death signaling initiated by these receptors. FADD interaction with the receptors reviels the N-terminal effector domain of, which allows it to recruit caspase-8, and thus initiate the cysteine protease cascade. Knockout studies in mice furthermore propose the significance of FADD in premature T cell development. FADD plays a role in survival/proliferation and cell cycle development. FADD also takes part in cellular sublocalization, protein phosphorylation, and inhibitory molecules.

MAPT is a neuronal microtubule associated protein localized mostly on axons.
MAPT promotes tubulin polymerisation and stabilizes microtubules, however it also serves to connect certain signalling pathways to the cytoskeleton. MAPT, in its hyperphosphorylated form, is the main part of paired helical filaments (PHF) and neurofibrillary lesions in Alzheimer''s disease (AD) brain.

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein family which is part of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. The superfamily includes large families of growth and differentiation factors. Bone morphogenetic proteins were originally identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site. This particular family member plays an important role in the onset of endochondral bone formation in humans, and a reduction in expression has been associated with a variety of bone diseases, including the heritable disorder Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. Alternative splicing in the 5' untranslated region of this gene has been described and three variants are described, all encoding an identical protein.

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.

Bcl-2–associated X protein (Bax) belongs to the Bcl-2 protein family.
Bax is a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein containing BH1, BH2 and BH3 domains.
Bax accelerates programmed cell death by binding to, and antagonizing the apoptosis repressor bcl2 or its adenovirus homolog e1b 19k protein. Bax induces the release of cytochrome c, activation of casp3, and thereby apoptosis. Bax is expressed in a wide variety of tissues, with highest levels in the testis and ovary.
Tumor suppressor protein p53 upregulates the expression of BAX. Bax has been shown to be involved in p53-mediated apoptosis.

Mitochondrial rRNA methyltransferase 1 homolog (MRM1) is a part of the RNA methyltransferase TrmH family. MRM1 methylates the ribose of guanosine G-2270 in the peptidyl transferase center of the mitochondrial large ribosomal RNA (21S).

The centromere is a specialized chromatin domain, present throughout the cell cycle, that acts as a platform on which the transient assembly of the kinetochore occurs during mitosis. All active centromeres are characterized by the presence of long arrays nucleosomes in which CENPA replaces histone H3. CENPM is an additional factor required for centromere assembly.

Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 (HAVCR2) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. HACVR2 controls macrophage activation. HACVR2 inhibits T-helper type 1 lymphocyte (Th1)-mediated auto- and alloimmune responses and stimulates immunological tolerance.

Mannose-binding protein C (MBL2),belongs to the collectin family of patternrecognition molecules and is an important component in the innate immune system. MBL2 is a secreted glycoprotein which recognizes mannose and N-acetylglucosamine on various microorganisms, and is capable of activating the classical complement pathway. Lacking MBL2 has been associated with susceptibility to autoimmune and infectious diseases.

Lipophilin is a transmembrane proteolipid protein that is the predominant myelin protein present in the central nervous system. PLP functions in myelination. plays a role in the compaction, stabilization, and maintenance of myelin sheaths, as well as in oligodendrocyte development and axonal survival. Mutations associated with PLP gene cause X-linked Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease and spastic paraplegia type 2. Two transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified for PLP gene.
PLP is the major myelin protein from the central nervous system and plays an important role in the formation or maintenance of the multilamellar structure of myelin.

LanC Lantibiotic Synthetase Component C-Like 1 (LANCL1) belongs to the LanC family although formerly considered a part of the G-proteincoupled receptor superfamily. LANCL1 takes part in the biosynthesis of antimicrobial peptides. LANCL1 functions as a peptide-modifying enzyme component in eukaryotic cells. LANCL1 participates in EPS8 signaling and binds glutathione.

AKR1C4 is a member of the aldo/keto reductase superfamily that has over 40 known enzymes and proteins. AKR1C4 enables the conversion of aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols by using NADH and/or NADPH as cofactors. AKR1C4 takes part in the bioreduction of chlordecone, a toxic organochlorine pesticide, to chlordecone alcohol in liver.

LAT is a vital membrane protein that is phosphorylated by ZAP-70/Syk protein tyrosine kinases succeeding activation of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) signal transduction pathway. LAT is expressed in T lymphocytes in interstitial spaces, platelets and megakaryocytes.

Myosin regulatory light chains, including MRCL3, MYLPF and MYL9, regulate contraction in smooth muscle and non-muscle cells via phosphorylation by MLCK (myosin light chain kinase). Phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chains, catalyzed by MLCK in the presence of calcium and calmodulin, increases the actin-activated myosin ATPase activity, thus regulating the contractile activity. MYLPF is vital for fast and slow skeletal muscle development.