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Neisseria gonorrhoeae, also known as Gonococci is a Gram-negativebacteriahighly fastidiouscocci, requiring nutrient supplementation to survive. The cocci are facultatively intracellular and typically appear in pairs (diplococci).
Neisserial LPS is distinguished from enteric LPS by its highly-branched basal oligosaccharide structure and the absence of repeating O-antigen subunits. For these reasons, neisserial LPS is referred to as lipooligosaccharide (LOS). The bacterium characteristically releases outer membrane fragments called "blebs" during growth. These blebs contain LOS and probably have a role in pathogenesis if they are disseminated during the course of an infection.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a relatively fragile organism, susceptible to temperature changes, drying, uv light, and other environmental conditions. Strains of N. gonorrhoeae are variable in their cultural requirements so that media containing hemoglobin, NAD, yeast extract and other supplements are needed for isolation and growth of the organism.

Mitotic checkpoint protein BUB3 (BUB3), is a saved component of the mitotic spindle assembly complex (MCC). The encoded protein has 4 WD repeat domains and has a similar sequence as the yeast BUB3 protein. BUB3 is vital for the kinetochore localization of BUB1 and BUBR1. BUB3 participates in the central spindle checkpoint pathway that operates during early embryogenesis. Furthermore BUB3 has a part in regulating the establishment of correct kinetochore-microtubule attachments.

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), are a family of cell surface glycoproteins found on Natural Killer (NK) Cells, which are important cells of the immune system. They control the killing function of these cells by interacting with MHC class I molecules, which are expressed on all cell types. This interaction allows them to identify virally infected cells or tumor cells that have a distinctive low level of Class I MHC on their surface. The majority of KIRs are inhibitory, which means that their recognition of MHC suppresses the cytotoxic activity of their NK cell. Only a limited number of KIRs have the capacity to activate cells. The KIR genes are found in a cluster on chromosome 19q13.4 within the 1 Mb leukocyte receptor complex (LRC). KIR molecules are extremely polymorphic, meaning their gene sequences differ significantly between individuals, so that different individuals have different arrays/repertoires of KIR genes. The KIR proteins are categorized by the number of

ALDH2 is part of the aldehyde dehydrogenase family of proteins which catalyze the chemical transformation from acetaldehyde to acetic acid. ALDH2 is the second enzyme of the major oxidative pathway of alcohol metabolism. ALDH2 has 2 major liver isoforms: cytosolic and mitochondrial, which differ by their electrophoretic mobilities, kinetic properties, and subcellular localizations. Nearly all Caucasians have 2 major isozymes, whereas roughly 50% of Orientals have only the cytosolic isozyme, omitting the mitochondrial isozyme. The extremely higher rate of acute alcohol intoxication with Orientals compared to Caucasians is due to the fact of the absence of mitochondrial isozyme. ALDH2 has a low Km for acetaldehydes, and is localized in mitochondrial matrix.

ARF1 is a small guanine nucleotide-binding protein that increases the enzymatic activities of cholera toxin. ARF1 is necessary and ubiquitous in eukaryotes. ARF1 takes part in vesicular transport and functioning via phospholipase D activation. ARF1 is involved in membrane traffic and organelle integrity which are closely tied to their reversible association with membranes and distinct interactions with membrane phospholipids.

Junctional Adhesion Molecule 2 (JAM2) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, and the junctional adhesion molecule (JAM) family. JAM2 is a type I membrane protein which is localized at the tight junctions of both epithelial and endothelial cells. JAM2 functions as an adhesive ligand for interacting with various immune cell types, and may have a role in lymphocyte homing to secondary lymphoid organs.

Active IL-12 is a p70 disulphide-linked dimer composed of p35 and p40 subunits. The protein is a pleiotropic cytokine produced primarily by antigen presenting cells and has multiple effects on T lymphocytes and natural killer cells in terms of stimulating cytotoxicity, proliferation, production of other cytokines and Th1 subset differentiation.

Cathepsin H is a lysosomal cysteine proteinase important in the overall degradation of lysosomal proteins. Cathepsin H is composed of a dimer of disulfide-linked heavy and light chains, both produced from a single protein precursor. Cathepsin H, which belongs to the peptidase C1 protein family, can act both as an aminopeptidase and as an endopeptidase. Increased expression of the Cathepsin H gene has been associated with malignant progression of prostate tumors.

Ubiquitin thioesterase OTUB2 (OTUB2) is a member of the peptidase C65 family. OTUB2 functions as a hydrolase which can remove conjugated ubiquitin from proteins in vitro and may thus play a key regulatory role at the level of protein turnover by preventing degradation.

Neuroblastoma suppressor of tumorigenicity 1 (NBL1) is a part of the evolutionarily conserved CAN (Cerberus and DAN) family of proteins, which contain a domain resembling the CTCK (C-terminal cystine knot-like) motif found in several signaling molecules. NBL1 is a is a tumor suppressor of neuroblastoma and takes part in preventing cells from entering the final stage (G1/S) of the transformation process. NBL1 is produced in small neurons of the dorsal root ganglion. The expression of NBL1 is triggered by MATH-1.

SSU72 is an extremely conserved homologue of yeast Ssu72, a CTD phosphatase and a component of the polyadenylation/termination machinery. SSU72 interacts with TFIIB, Rb and DNAM-1 and operates to catalyze the dephosphorylation of target proteins, and taking part in RNA processing and termination via dephosphorylation of Pol II. SSU72 is found in multiple alternatively spliced isoforms.

CD40 is part of the TNF-receptor superfamily. CD40 is a necessary mediator for vast range of immune and inflammatory responses together with T cell-dependent immunoglobulin class switching, memory B cell growth, and germinal center formation. The transcription factor AKNA regulates the expression of CD40 and its ligand, which is vital for homotypic cell interactions. Adaptor protein TNFR2 interacts with CD40 and serves as a mediator of the signal transduction. The interaction of CD40 and its ligand is crucial for amyloid-beta-induced microglial activation, and thus is thought to be an early event in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis. CD40 is the receptor for TNFSF5/CD40L.

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.

ENO1 is a homodimeric soluble protein that encodes a smaller monomeric structural lens protein, tau-crystallin. ENO1 is a glycolytic enzyme expressed in mainly all tissues. ENO1 isoenzyme full length protein is found in the cytoplasm. The shorter protein is formed from another translation start that is restricted to the nucleus, and binds to a component in the c-myc promoter. ENO1 is involved in anaerobic metabolism under hypoxic conditions and plays a role as a cell surface plasminogen receptor during tissue invasion. Irregular expression of Enolase-1 is linked with tumor progression in several cases of breast and lung cancer. Enolase-1 is as an auto antigen associated with Hashimoto's encephalopathy and severe asthma. ENO1 is the target protein of serum anti-endothelial antibody in Behcet's disease.

Phosphoglycerate mutase 2 (PGAM2) is a member of the phosphoglycerate mutase family. PGAM is a dimeric enzyme which contains in separate tissues, different proportions of a slow-migrating muscle (MM) isozyme, a fast-migrating brain (BB) isozyme, and a hybrid form (MB). PGAM (Phosphoglycerate mutase) catalyzes the reversible reaction of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) to 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PGA) in the glycolytic pathway. PGAM2 gene mutations cause muscle phosphoglycerate mutase efficiency, otherwise known as glycogen storage disease X.

Aurora Kinase B (AURKB) belongs to a family of mitotic serine/threonine kinases. AURKB connects with chromosomes for the period of prophase prior to relocalizing to the spindle at anaphase. AURKB localizes to microtubules near kinetochores, specifically to the specialized microtubules called K-fibers. AURKB controls chromosome segregation through the control of microtubule-kinetochore attachment and cytokinesis. AURKB is required for kinetochore localization of BUB1 and SGOL1. AURKB expression during the G2/M phase transition is firmly coordinated with histone H3 phosphorylation, while overexpression is seen in many kinds of cancers. AURKB phosphorylates ''Ser-10'' and ''Ser-28'' of histone H3 during mitosis. AURKB is a component of the CPC (chromosomal passenger complex), which is a complex that acts as a key regulator of mitosis. High level expression of AURKB is seen in the thymus, which is also expressed in the spleen, lung, testis, colon, placenta and fetal liver. AURKB is expressed during S and G2/M phase and expression is up-regulated in cancer cells during M phase.

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.

Ecto-5-prime-nucleotidase (5-prime-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase) catalyzes the conversion of purine 5-prime mononucleotides to nucleosides, the preferred substrate being AMP at a neutral pH. CD73, which consists of a dimer of 2 identical 70kDa subunits, is bound by a glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol linkage to the external face of the plasma membrane. CD73 is used as a marker of lymphocyte differentiation. Consequently, a deficiency of NT5 occurs in a variety of immunodeficiency diseases. Additional forms of 5-prime nucleotidase exist in the cytoplasm and lysosomes and can be distinguished from ecto-NT5 by their substrate affinities, requirement for divalent magnesium ion, activation by ATP, and inhibition by inorganic phosphate.

SSU72 is an extremely conserved homologue of yeast Ssu72, a CTD phosphatase and a component of the polyadenylation/termination machinery. SSU72 interacts with TFIIB, Rb and DNAM-1 and operates to catalyze the dephosphorylation of target proteins, and taking part in RNA processing and termination via dephosphorylation of Pol II. SSU72 is found in multiple alternatively spliced isoforms.

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.

TBCEL, is a factor that is in charge of the microtubule cytoskeleton in determining cell behavior. TBCEL plays a role as a regulator of tubulin stability. While widely expressed in testis, TBCEL is also present in several tissues at a much lower level. TBCEL comprises of seven LRR (leucine-rich) repeats, one LRRCT domain and one ubiquitin-like domain. The gene that translates TBCEL consists of 66,704 bases and maps to human chromosome 11q23.3. Chromosome 11 houses over 1,400 genes and consist of nearly 4% of the human genome. Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, Jacobsen syndrome, Niemann-Pick disease, hereditary angioedema and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome are associated with defects in genes that map to chromosome 11.

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.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL7) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. It is a protein that is released in large amounts from platelets following their activation. It stimulates various processes including mitogenesis, synthesis of extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism and synthesis of plasminogen activator.