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AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 3 (Akt3) is a member of the Akt subfamily of serine/threonine protein kinases. Akt3is 1/3 closely related serine/threonine-protein kinases (Akt1, Akt2 and Akt3) called the Akt kinase and which regulate various processes including proliferation, metabolism, cell survival, growth and angiogenesis. The mentioned above is mediated through serine and/or threonine phosphorylation of a range of downstream substrates. Akt3 takes part in brain development and is critical for the viability of malignant glioma cells.

The secreted polypeptide noggin, encoded by the NOG gene, binds and inactivates members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling proteins, such as bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4). By diffusing through extracellular matrices more efficiently than members of the TGF-beta superfamily, noggin may have a principal role in creating morphogenic gradients. Noggin appears to have pleiotropic effect, both early in development as well as in later stages. It was originally isolated from Xenopus based on its ability to restore normal dorsal-ventral body axis in embryos that had been artificially ventralized by UV treatment. The results of the mouse knockout of noggin suggest that it is involved in numerous developmental processes, such as neural tube fusion and joint formation. Recently, several dominant human NOG mutations in unrelated families with proximal symphalangism (SYM1) and multiple synostoses syndrome (SYNS1) were identified; both SYM1 and SYNS1 have multiple joint fusion as their principal feature, and map to the same region (17q22) as NOG. All NOG mutations altered evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of human noggin is highly homologous to that of Xenopus, rat and mouse.

Osteocrin is a recently identified secreted protein expression of which was only detected in bone, peaking just after birth and decreasing markedly with age. A 1280-bp mRNA encodes osteocrin producing a mature protein of 103 amino acids with a molecular mass of 11.4 kDa. In primary osteoblastic cell cultures osteocrin expression coincided with matrix formation then decreased in very mature cultures. Treatment of cultures with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 resulted in a rapid dose- dependent down-regulation of osteocrin expression, suggesting direct regulation. Chronic treatment of primary cultures with osteocrin-conditioned media inhibited mineralization and reduced osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase expression. These results suggest that osteocrin represents a novel, unique vitamin D-regulated bone-specific protein that appears to act as a soluble osteoblast regulator.

Fractalkine soluble form is chemotactic for t-cells and monocytes, but not for neutrophils. Fractalkine membrane-bound form promotes adhesion of those leukocytes to endothelial cells. Fractalkine regulates leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium and binds to CX3CR1. Natural Human Fractalkine is produced as a long protein (373-amino acid) with an extended mucin-like stalk and a chemokine domain on top. The mucin-like stalk permits it to bind to the cell surface. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

CENPQ is a Component of a CENPH-CENPI-associated centromeric complex which targets CENPA to centromeres and is necessary for proper kinetochore function and mitotic progression. CENPQ takes part in incorporation of newly synthesized CENPA into centromeres using its interaction with the CENPA-NAC complex.

CETN3 comprises of 4 EF-hand calcium binding domains, and is a part of the centrin protein family. CETN3 protein is widely expressed cytoskeletal components that demonstrate increased expression during cell differentiation. CETN3 takes part in centrosome reproduction.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that was previously called PARC (pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine). CCL18 is approximately 60% identical in amino acid sequence to CCL3. It is expressed at high levels in lung and at lower levels in certain lymphoid tissues, such as the lymph nodes, and is chemotactic for activated T cells and non activated lymphocytes. The gene for human CCL18 contains three exons and is located on chromosome 17.

Stem cell factor / KIT ligand (SCF) is a cytokine which binds CD117(c-Kit). SCF is also known as "steel factor" or "c-kit ligand". SCF exists in two forms, cell surface bound SCF and soluble (or free) SCF. Soluble SCF is produced by the cleavage of surface bound SCF by metalloproteases. SCF is a growth factor important for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and other hematopoietic progenitor cells. One of its roles is to change the BFU-E (burst-forming unit-erythroid) cells, which are the earliest erythrocyte precursors in the erythrocytic series, into the CFU-E (colony-forming unit-erythroid).

"Epiregulin is part of the EGF family. Epiregulin functions as a ligand of EGFR, as well as a ligand of most members of the ERBB (v-erb-b2 oncogene homolog) family of tyrosine-kinase receptors.Epiregulin is expressed mostly in the placenta and peripheral blood leukocytes and in specific carcinomas of the bladder, lung, kidney and colon. Epiregulin stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes, hepatocytes, fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells. Epiregulin inhibits the growth of several tumor-derived epithelial cell lines. Human Epiregulin is initially synthesized as a glycosylated 19.0 kDa transmembrane precursor protein, which is processed by proteolytic cleavage to produce a 6.0 kDa mature secreted sequence."

Chitinase is a digestive enzyme which breaks down glycosidic bonds in chitin. Due to chitin being a component of the cell walls of fungi and exoskeletal elements of some animals (including worms and arthropods), chitinases are usually found in organisms that either need to remake their own chitin or to dissolve and digest the chitin of fungi or animals. Chitinivorous organisms include many bacteria genuses such as Aeromonas, Bacillus, Vibrio, among others, which may be pathogenic or detritivorous. Chitinase expression is mediated by the NPR1 gene and the salicylic acid pathway, both of which are involved in resisting fungal and insect attack. Human chitinases appear in gastric juices. They are likely to be digestive chitinases, for catabolic activity. Chitinase activity is identified systemically in humans, in the blood, and possibly cartilage. Chitinase has been related to allergies, asthma in particular has been linked to enhanced chitinase expression levels, also dust mites and mold spores which are both chitin covered.

Shiga-like toxin (verotoxin) is a toxin produced by some strains of Escherichia coli. Shiga-like toxin is named for its similarity to the AB5-type Shiga toxin produced by the bacteria Shigella dysenteriae. There are two known types-SLT1 and SLT2. The Shiga-like toxin is linked with hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Shiga-like toxin requires highly specific receptors on the cells' surface in order to attach and enter the cell. Species such as cattle, swine, and deer which do not carry these receptors may harbor toxigenic bacteria without any ill effect, dropping them in their feces, from where they may be distributed to humans. Shiga Like Toxin-2 Subunit B has nontoxic action, it is the functional region which binds to the receptor. Upon binding to the host cell receptor, the Shiga Like Toxin-2 Subunit B forms a pentamer. The Shiga Like Toxin-2 Subunit B can be useful in vaccine study, antibody test and other functional research.

Shiga-like toxin (verotoxin) is a toxin produced by some strains of Escherichia coli. Shiga-like toxin is named for its similarity to the AB5-type Shiga toxin produced by the bacteria Shigella dysenteriae. There are two known types-SLT1 and SLT2. The Shiga-like toxin is linked with hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Shiga-like toxin requires highly specific receptors on the cells'' surface in order to attach and enter the cell. Species such as cattle, swine, and deer which do not carry these receptors may harbor toxigenic bacteria without any ill effect, dropping them in their feces, from where they may be distributed to humans. Shiga Like Toxin-1 Subunit B has nontoxic action, it is the functional region which binds to the receptor. The Shiga Like Toxin-1 Subunit B can be useful in vaccine study, antibody test and other functional research.

The protein encoded by IL5is 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 this cytokine is a heterodimer, whose beta subunit is shared with the receptors for interleukine 3 (IL3) and colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2/GM-CSF). Interleukin-5, together with those for interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 13 (IL13), and CSF2, form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5. Interleukin-5, IL4, and IL13 are found to be regulated coordinately by long-range regulatory elements spread over 120 kilobases on chromosome 5q31.

Myxoma Resistance Protein 1 (MX1) is a member of the dynamin family and contains 1 GED domain. MX1 is an Interferon-induced dynamin-like GTPase with antiviral activity against rabies virus (RABV), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and murine pneumonia virus (MPV). MX1 is ubiquitously expressed. MX1 is induced by type I and type III interferons.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) is an enzyme that is a member of the MMP extracellular protease family. Extracellular protease enzymes, by virtue of their broad substrate specificities1, play a role in both normal and disease states of tissue proliferation. Among the targets of MMP-13 are collagen, gelatin, entactin, pro-TNF-a, and chemokine SDF-11-4.
MMP-13 is found in its latent form as a 52-56 kDa glycosylated proenzyme. Upon cleavage the 22-46 kDa5 MMP-1 becomes active in extracellular matrix remodeling.
Because of the prominent role that MMP-1 plays in cell migration and metastasis, it is an important target for inhibition screening.

IL11 is a member of the gp130 family of cytokines. These cytokines drive the assembly of multisubunit receptor complexes, all of which contain at least one molecule of the transmembrane signaling receptor IL6ST (gp130). IL-11 is shown to stimulate the T-cell-dependent development of immunoglobulin-producing B cells. It is also found to support the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocyte progenitor cells.

Kallikrein-3 (KLK3) belongs to the kallikrein-related peptidase family. Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases having various physiological functions. Numerous kallikreins are involved in carcinogenesis and some may be prospective cancer and other disease biomarkers. Kallikrein-3 is 1 of the 15 kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19 and is a protease present in seminal plasma. KLK3 hydrolyzes semenogelin-1 consequently leading to the liquefaction of the seminal coagulum. KLK3 is assumed to act normally in the liquefaction of seminal coagulum, probably by hydrolysis of the high molecular mass seminal vesicle protein. Serum level of the KLK3 protein, called PSA in the clinical setting, is beneficial in the diagnosis and monitoring of prostatic carcinoma.

MX2 is a member of 2 protein families: the dynamin family and the large GTPases family. MX2 has a cytoplasmic and nuclear structure which is found in a granular pattern in the heterochromatin region under the nuclear envelope. The nuclear form has a NLS (nuclear localization signal) at the amino terminal end however it is missing in the cytoplasmic form as a result of the use of a different translation start codon. MX2 is upregulated by IFN-a, but unlike myxovirus resistance protein 1 has no antiviral activity.

Homeobox protein MOX-2 (MEOX2) is a part of a family of nonclustered, diverged homeobox genes which are expressed in overlapping patterns in the paraxial mesoderm and its derivatives. MEOX2 participates in the regulation of vertebrate limb myogenesis. MEOX2 also takes part in mesoderm induction and its earliest regional specification, somitogenesis, myogenic and sclerotomal differentiation. Mutations in the related mouse MEOX2 are related with craniofacial and/or skeletal abnormalities, in addition to neurovascular dysfunction observed in Alzheimer's disease.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is a type IV collagenase, which is involved in endometrial menstrual breakdown, regulation of vascularization and the inflammatory response. MMP-2 contains a number of distinct domains: a prodomain that is cleaved upon activation; a catalytic domain containing the zinc binding site; a fibronectin like domain believed to have a role in substrate targeting; and a carboxyl terminal (hemopexin like) domain containing 2 N-linked glycosylation. The MMP-2 can degrade an extensive array of substrates including type IV, V, VII and X collagens as well as gelatin type I. In addition, MMP-2 interacts with THBS2, TIMP2, Thrombospondin 1, CCL7 and TIMP4. MMP-2 autocatalytic cleavage in the C-terminal generates the anti-angiogenic peptide, PEX. This process seems to be made possible by binding integrinv/beta3. Defects in the MMP-2 are the cause of Torg-Winchester syndrome (TWS), aka multicentric osteolysis nodulosis and arthropathy (MONA).

Stem cell factor / KIT ligand (SCF) is a cytokine which binds CD117(c-Kit). SCF is also known as "steel factor" or "c-kit ligand". SCF exists in two forms, cell surface bound SCF and soluble (or free) SCF. Soluble SCF is produced by the cleavage of surface bound SCF by metalloproteases. SCF is a growth factor important for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and other hematopoietic progenitor cells. One of its roles is to change the BFU-E (burst-forming unit-erythroid) cells, which are the earliest erythrocyte precursors in the erythrocytic series, into the CFU-E (colony-forming unit-erythroid).

Akt1, also known as Akt or else protein kinase B (PKB) is an important molecule in mammaliancellular signaling. In humans, there are three genes in the "Akt family": Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3. Moreover, these enzymes are members of the serine/threonine-specific protein kinase family (EC2.7.11.1). Akt1 is involved in cellular survival pathways, by inhibiting apoptoticprocesses. Akt1 is also able to induce protein synthesis pathways, and is therefore a key signaling protein in the cellular pathways which lead to skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and general tissue growth. Since it can block apoptosis, and thereby promote cell survival, Akt1 has been implicated as a most important factor in numerous types of cancer. Akt (now also called Akt1) was at first identified as the oncogenein the transforming retrovirus, AKT8.

P-Selectin also called Platelet Alpha-Granule Membrane Protein, CD62, and Granulocyte Membrane Protein GRMP belongs to a family of divalent cation-dependent carbohydrate-binding glycoproteins or adhesion molecules. Pselectin is expressed transiently on the surface of activated platelets and endothelial cells. P-Selectin is a 140 kDa protein which is stored in the alpha-granules of platelets and Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells. Secreted P-selectin is thought to play a key role in the adhesion of platelets to monocytes and neutrophils during an inflammatory response. P-Selectin is a calcium-dependent receptor that binds to sialylated forms of Lewis blood group carbohydrate antigens on neutrophils and monocytes. Levels of P-Selectin may be elevated in a number of pathological conditions.