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The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the glial cell line-derived neurotophic factor (GDNF) family of ligands which are a group of ligands within the TGF-beta superfamily of signaling molecules. GDNFs are unique in having neurotrophic properties and have potential use for gene therapy in neurodegenrative disease. Artemin has been shown in culture to support the survival of a number of periferal neuron populations and at least one population of dopaminergic CNS neurons. Its role in the PNS and CNS is further substantiated by its expression pattern in the proximity of these neurons. This protein is a ligand for the RET receptor and uses GFR-alpha 3 as a coreceptor. Four alternatively spliced transcripts have been described, two of which encode the same protein.

Protein A is a cell wall component produced by several strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The recombinant Protein A is genetically engineered protein and holds 5 IgG-binding regions of protein A. Recombinant Protein A functions basically the same as native Protein A and is perfect for purification of polyclonal or monoclonal IgG antibodies. Protein A binds to human IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4, mouse IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 and rat IgG2c. Protein A also binds to total IgG from rabbit, pig, dog, cat, and guinea pig.

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. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

Troponin is a fundamental regulatory protein of striated muscle contraction, and together with tropomyosin, is positioned on the actin filament. Troponin has 3 subunits: TnI- the inhibitor of actomyosin ATPase; TnT- contains the binding site for tropomyosin; and TnC- the protein encoded by the TNNC1 gene. The binding of calcium to TnC stops the inhibitory action of TnI, consequently allowing the interaction of actin with myosin, the hydrolysis of ATP, and the generation of tension. Mutations in the TNNC1 gene are linked to cardiomyopathy dilated type 1Z.

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.

Complement Factor Properdin (CFP) which is a plasma glycoprotein, is a positive regulator of the alternative complement pathway of the innate immune system. CFP binds and stabilizes the C3- and C5-convertase enzyme complexes in a feedback loop that eventually ends with formation of the membrane attack complex and lysis of the target cell. Mutations in CFP lead to 2 forms of properdin deficiency that cause high susceptibility to meningococcal infections.

Vimentin expression in human malignant glioma cells depends on cellular density, algorithms of drug delivery and chemo/radio treatment. Vimentin and detyrosinated microtubules provide structural support for the extensive microtentacles observed in detached tumor cells and a mechanism to promote successful metastatic spread. Primary colorectal carcinomas display aberrant expression of vimentin, and have activated Notch and TGFbeta signaling pathways. Vimentin is a strong arterial substrate for transglutaminases. Transglutaminase-mediated vimentin dimerization results in a novel unifying pathway by which vasodilatory and remodeling responses may be regulated. Ablation of vimentin expression inhibits migration and invasion of colon and breast cancer cell lines. Vimentin is the main intermediate filament protein in mesenchymal cells and is therefore of value in the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated neoplasms.

AIMP1 (EMPA2 or p43) is a cytokine that is specifically induced by apoptosis, and it is involved in the control of angiogenesis, inflammation, and wound healing. The release of the AIMP1 cytokine renders the tumor-associated vasculature sensitive to tumor necrosis factor. Furthermore, AIMP1 is involved in the stimulation of inflammatory responses after proteolytic cleavage in tumor cells.

Vaspin (visceral adipose-specific SERPIN), a newly identified adipokine, which is a member of serine protease inhibitor family. Vaspin is also a unique insulin sensitizing adipocytokine in obesity. A recent publication indicates that induction of human vaspin mRNA expression in adipose tissue is regulated in a fat depot-specific manner and could be associated with parameters of obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism.

APRIL which is a part of the TNF ligand superfamily (TNFSF13) is a type II transmembrane protein. Normally, APRIL expression is low in tissues, but is elevated in numerous types of tumors and transformed cell lines.

Babesiosis is a disease caused by apicomplexan parasites of the Babesia genus. The Babesia microti life cycle involves 2 hosts, which include a rodent, mainly the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and a tick in the Ixodes genus. During a blood meal, a Babesia-infected tick introduces sporozoites into the mouse host. Sporozoites pass into the erythrocytes and undergo asexual reproduction (budding). In the blood, some parasites differentiate into male and female gametes, though these cannot be distinguished by light microscopy. The definitive host is the tick. Once ingested by an proper tick, gametes unite and undergo a sporogonic cycle resulting in sporozoites. Transovarial transmission (aka vertical or hereditary transmission) has been detected for "large" Babesia species but not for the "small" Babesia, such as B. microti. Humans enter the cycle when bitten by the infected ticks. Thus during a blood meal, a Babesia-infected tick introduces sporozoites into the human host. Sporozoites then enter erythrocytes and undergo asexual replication (budding). Multiplication of the blood-stage parasites is responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease. Humans typically are dead-end hosts. However, human-to-human transmission is well acknowledged to occur via contaminated blood transfusions.

Ferritin is the main intracellular iron storage protein in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Ferritin’s major functions are the storage of iron in a soluble and nontoxic state and its release in a controlled fashion. An iron-containing protein complex is found mostly in the intestinal mucosa, spleen, and liver. Ferritin is composed of 24 subunits of the heavy and light chains. Variation in ferritin subunit composition may influence the rates of iron uptake and release in different tissues. Defects in the light chain ferritin gene are linked to a number of neurodegenerative diseases and hyperferritinemia-cataract syndrome. The genes that encode the light and heavy chains are on located different chromosomes. The light chain genes are in chromosome region 19q13.3-q13.4 whilst those for the heavy chain are in chromosome region 11q12-q13. Ferritin is shaped like a hollow sphere, inside which the iron is stored in the Fe(III) oxidation state. The iron is integrated in the mineral ferrihydrite, [FeO(OH)]8[FeO(H2PO4)], which is attached to the inner wall of the sphere. To release iron once the body needs it, the iron must be altered from the Fe(III) to the Fe(II) oxidation state. Subsequently, the iron leaves through channels in the spherical structure. Therefore, the structure of ferritin is tremendously important for the protein's ability to store and release iron in a controlled mode.
The amount of ferritin in the blood (serum ferritin level) is directly related to the amount of iron stored in the body. The body has a "buffer" against iron deficiency (if the blood has too little iron, ferritin can release more) and, to a lesser extent, iron overload (if the blood and tissues of the body have too much iron, ferritin can help store the excess iron).

HIV-1 Nef is anessential factor for efficient viral replication and pathogenesis and therefore is produced shortly after virus infection. HIV-1 Nef is also facilitates virus replication and enhances virions infectivity. Nef exerts pleiotropic effects: decreases cell surface CD4 antigen by interacting with the Src family kinase LCK, down-modulates surface MHC-I molecules and protects the infected cell from apoptosis in order to keep it alive until the next virus generation is mature. Nef protein bypasses host T-cell signaling byinducing a trascriptional program almost identical to that of anti-CD3 cell activation.

APTX is a DNA-binding protein which participates in single-strand DNA break repair, double-strand DNA break repair and base excision repair. APTX determines abortive DNA ligation intermediates created each at base excision sites, or while DNA ligases attempt to restore non-ligatable breaks induced by reactive oxygen species. APTX catalyzes the release of adenylate groups covalently linked to 5''-phosphate termini, resulting in the production of 5''-phosphate termini that can be efficiently rejoined. APTX hydrolyzes adenosine 5''-monophosphoramidate (AMP-NH(2)) and diadenosine tetraphosphate (AppppA), but with lower catalytic activity.

Transferrin receptor protein 1 (TFRC) is required for iron delivery from transferring to cells. The TFRC protein is a transmembrane glycoprotein comprised of 2 disulfide-linked monomers joined by 2 disulfide bonds. Each monomer will bind one holo-transferrin molecule producing an iron-Tf-TfR complex which enters the cell by endocytosis.

Plasma fibronectin level is elevated in severe coronary artery disease. Increased plasma fibronectin levels are related with venous thromboembolism (VTE) particularly in males, and extend the probable association between biomarkers and risk factors for arterial atherothrombosis and VTE. Fibronectin plays a role in several cellular processes, including tissue repair, embryogenesis, blood clotting, and cell migration/adhesion. Fibronectin consists in two main forms: 1) as an insoluble glycoprotein dimer that serves as a linker in the extracellular matrix and 2) as a soluble disulphide linked dimer found in the plasma. The plasma form is produced by hepatocytes, and the ECM form is synthesized by fibroblasts, chondrocytes, endothelial cells, macrophages, as well as certain epithelial cells. Fibronectin also takes part as a general cell adhesion molecule by anchoring cells to collagen or proteoglycan substrates. Fibronectin organizes cellular interaction with the ECM by binding to different components of the extracellular matrix and to membrane-bound Fibronectin receptors on cell surfaces.

Von Willebrand Factor A Domain Containing 2 (VWA2) is an extracellular matrix protein containing vWA-like domains. VWA2 contains a signal peptide sequence, an N-terminal VWA domain connected to 2 additional tandem vWA domains by a cysteine-rich sequence and an EGF-like domain. Also, another EGF-like domain is located at the C-terminus. Expression of VWA2 is induced in stage II, III and IV colon cancers and colon adenomas and is considered a novel serum marker for the diagnosis of early-stage colon cancer.

Darbepoetin is a mutant recombinant human EPO-Alpha protein re-engineered, containing 5 amino acid changes at N30, T32, V87, N88, T90. Darbepoetin exhibits longer half-life stimulating red blood cell production than Erythropoietin. Darbepoetin maintains hemoglobin more effectively compared to EPO-Alpha.

Hemopexin (or haemopexin) is a plasma protein that binds heme with the highest affinity of any known protein. Hemopexin is generally expressed in liver, and belongs to acute phase reactants, the synthesis of which is induced after inflammation. Heme is potentially very toxic because of its ability to intercalate into lipid membrane and to generate hydroxyl radicals. Hemopexin’s function of scavenging the heme released or lost by the turnover of heme proteins such as hemoglobin defends the body from the oxidative damage that free heme can cause. Additionally, hemopexin discharges its bound ligand for internalisation upon interacting with a specific receptor located on the surface of liver cells. This hemopexin function is in order to preserve the body's iron. Hemopexin’s levels in the serum are an indication of how much heme is present in the blood. Low Hemopexin levels show that there is a lot of it in the serum. For that reason, low hemopexin levels indicate that there has been consid

S100A8 is a part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a broad range of cells, and participate in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100A8 plays a role in the inhibition of casein kinase and as a cytokine. S100A8 altered expression is related with cystic fibrosis disease. S100A8 is a calcium-binding protein that has antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.S100A8 is crucial for resistance towards invasion by pathogenic bacteria. S100A8 up-regulates transcription of genes that are under the control of NF-kappa-B. S100A8 plays a role in the development of endotoxic shock in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. S100A8 endorses tubulin polymerization and promotes phagocyte migration and infiltration of granulocytes at sites of wounding. S100A8 takes part as a pro-inflammatory mediator in acute and chronic inflammation and up-regulates the release of IL8 and cell-surface expression of ICAM1.

Activins are homodimers or heterodimers of the different ? subunit isoforms, part of the TGF? family. Mature Activin A has two 116 amino acids residues betaA subunits (bA-bA). Activin displays an extensive variety of biological activities, including mesoderm induction, neural cell differentiation, bone remodelling, haematopoiesis, and reproductive physiology. Activins takes part in the production and regulation of hormones such as FSH, LH, GnRH and ACTH. Cells that are identified to express Activin A include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, hepatocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, keratinocytes, osteoclasts, bone marrow monocytes, prostatic epithelium, neurons, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and ovarian granulosa cells.

The Argonaute protein is part of the RISC or RNA-induced silencing complex, as so, the protein has a key part in the slicing processes of RNA. The RNA interference (RNAi) is being held by RISC. Small non-coding RNA fragments bond to the Argonaute proteins, through base pairing, eventually leads to the cleavage of messenger RNA or translation suppression.

Nuclear Receptor-Interacting Protein (NRIP3)is a 241 amino acid protein which is encoded by a gene that maps to human chromosome 11.Diseases associated with NRIP3 include sarcoma, and acute myeloid leukemia.