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Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. As its name implies, VEGF activity has been mostly studied on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g. stimulation monocyte/ macrophagemigration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ). VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesisand cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.
Elevated levels of this protein are linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Cytotoxic and Regulatory T Cell Molecule, also known as CRTAM belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily which complies with the structural characteristics of the JAM family and is phylogenetically more closely related to nectin-like proteins. CRTAM is implicated in epithelial cell adhesion. Furthermore, CRTAM interacts with CADM1 as well as promotes natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity.

Cystatin 5 (CST5) is a novel member of the cystatin superfamily, which encompasses proteins that contain multiple cystatin-like sequences. Some members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, while others have lost or possibly never had this inhibitory activity. The superfamily is comprised of 3 inhibitory families: the type 1 cystatins (stefins), type 2 cystatins and the kininogens. Type 2 cystatin proteins are a class of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in various human fluids and secretions.

SNURF is an extremely basic protein restricted to the nucleus. The evolutionarily reserved open reading frame is located on a bicistronic transcript which has a downstream ORF encoding the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N. The first three exons of the transcript are exploited by the upstream coding region which is known as an imprinting center. The full-length nature of these transcripts is yet to be determined but multiple transcription initiation sites have been identified and large scale alternative splicing takes place in the 5' untranslated region. An alternate exon which substitutes for exon 4 and leads to a truncated, monocistronic transcript was identified. Deletion or alternative splicing produced by a translocation event in the 5' UTR or coding region of this gene results in Prader-Willi syndrome or Angelman syndrome because of parental imprint switch failure.

EIF2S1 participates in the premature steps of protein synthesis by forming a ternary complex with GTP and initiator tRNA which binds to a 40S ribosomal subunit, followed by mRNA binding to create a 43S pre-initiation complex. Junction of the 60S ribosomal subunit to form the 80S initiation complex is preceded by hydrolysis of the GTP bound to eIF-2 and release of an eIF-2-GDP binary complex. In order for eIF-2 to recycle and catalyze another round of initiation, the GDP bound to eIF-2 should exchange with GTP by way of a reaction catalyzed by eIF-2B.

Neurotensin (NTS) is a common precursor for 2 peptides, neuromedin N and neurotensin. Neurotensin is a secreted tridecapeptide, which is generally distributed throughout the central nervous system, and may serve as a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator. NTS is involved in dopamine-associated pathophysiological events, in the maintenance of gut structure and function, and in the regulation of fat metabolism. Tissue-specific processing may initiate the formation in some tissues of larger forms of neuromedin N and neurotensin. The large forms may embody more stable peptides which are also biologically active.

ETF is a heterodimer composed of alpha and beta subunit. ETFB protein is electron-transfer-flavoprotein, beta polypeptide that transports electrons between primary flavoprotein dehydrogenases involved in mitochondrial fatty acid and amino acid catabolism and the membrane-bound electron transfer flavoprotein ubiquinone oxidoreductase.

Chromosome 19 Open Reading Frame 80 (C19ORF80) is a significant new regulator of lipid metabolism which regulates serum triglyceride levels, possibly by promoting ANGPTL3 cleavage. C19ORF80 belongs to the ANGPTL protein family. C19ORF80 is a hormone which specifically promotes pancreatic beta cell proliferation and beta cell mass expansion, thus improving glucose tolerance. C19ORF80 is mainly expressed in the liver; it is also expressed in adipose tissues. C19ORF80 is expressed in response to food intake and stimulated by insulin.

Transcription Factor B2, Mitochondrial (TFB2M) is an S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferase which specifically dimethylates mitochondrial 12S rRNA at the conserved stem loop. In addition, TFB2M is essential for basal transcription of mitochondrial DNA, most likely via its interaction with POLRMT and TFAM. TFB2M promotes transcription independently of the methyltransferase activity. TFB2M like TFB1M, activates transcription of mitochondrial DNA more effectively, whilst having less methyltransferase activity.

Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least eighteen structurally realted proteins that are involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cell growth, differentation, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family if type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. Four distinct genes encoding closely related FGF receptors, FGFR-1to -4 are known. Multiple forms of FGFR-1 to -3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGFR-1 and -2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the alpha isoform, or only IgII and IgIII, referred to as the ? isoform. Only the alpha isoform has been identified for FGFR-3 and FGFR-4. Additional splicing events for FGFR-1 to -3, involving the C-terminal half of the IgIII domain encoded by two mutually exclusive alternative exons, generate FGF receptors with alternative IgIII domains (IIIb and IIIc). A IIIa isoform which is a secreted FGF binding protein containing only the N-terminal half of the IgIII domain plus some intron sequences has also been reported for FGFR-1. Mutations in FGFR-1 to -3 have been found in patients with birth defects involving craniosynostosis.

CBFB beta subunit is a heterodimeric core-binding transcription factor that is part of the PEBP2/CBF transcription factor family which controls a host of genes particulary to hematopoiesis and osteogenesis. CBFB is a non-DNA binding regulatory subunit which increases DNA binding by alpha subunit.

All three VEGF receptors belong to the class III subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) characterised by the seven immunoglobulin-like loops in the extracellular domain. The expression of VEGFR-1 to -3 is almost exclusively restricted to hematopoietic precursor cells, vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells and to the monocyte/macrophage lineage. They play key roles in vasculogenesis, hematopoiesis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. The FLT-4 cDNA encodes a 1298 amino acid (aa) residue precursor protein with a 23 aa residue signal peptide. Mature VEGFR-3/FLT-4 is composed of a 751 aa residue extracellular domain, a 22 aa transmembrane domain and a 482 aa residue cytoplasmic domain. Both VEGF family members VEGF-C and VEGF-D have been shown to bind and activate VEGFR-3/FLT-4. The Flt-4 gene is widely expressed in the early embryo but becomes restricted to the lymphatic endothelial a latter stages of development. It is important for lymphangiogenesis.

CD40 belongs to the TNF-receptor super family. CD40 has been found to be vital in mediating a wide range of immune and inflammatory responses including T cell-dependent immunoglobulin classswitching, memory B cell development, and germinal center formation. AT-hook transcription factor AKNA isaccounted to coordinately regulate the expression of CD40 and its ligand, which is significant forhomotypic cell interactions. Adaptor protein TNFR2 interacts with CD40 and functions as a mediator of thesignal transduction. The interaction of CD40 and its ligand is found to be essential for amyloid-beta-inducedmicroglial activation, and therefore is considered to be an early event in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis.

Tyrosylprotein Sulfotransferase 2 (TPST2) is a member of the protein sulfotransferase family. TPST2 is a widely expressed protein, which catalyzes the O-sulfation of tyrosine residues within acidic regions of proteins. The TPST2 protein is a type II integral membrane protein located in the Golgi body.

Upstream Transcription Factor 1 (USF1) belongs to the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper family, and functions as a cellular transcription factor. USF1 activates transcription via pyrimidine-rich initiator (Inr) elements and E-box motifs. The USF1 gene has been linked to familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL). USF1 is a transcription factor which binds to a symmetrical DNA sequence (E-boxes) (5'-CACGTG-3') found in a various viral and cellular promoters.

CST9 belongs to the CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic) subfamily. The CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic) protein outlines a new subgroup in the family 2 cystatins of the cystatin superfamily. A few members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, however others have lost or possibly never developed this inhibitory activity. CST9 takes part in hematopoietic differentiation or inflammation and is expressed in heart, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle and pancreas. CST9 is upregulated by LPS in several cancer cell lines, such as promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) and myelomonocytic leukemia.

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).

EEF1A1 is an isoform of the alpha subunit of the elongation factor-1 complex, which is responsible forthe enzymatic release of aminoacyl tRNAs to the ribosome. EEF1A1 is expressed in brain, placenta, lung, liver, kidney, and pancreas, and the other isoform (alpha 2) is expressed in brain, heart and skeletal muscle. EEF1A1 is recognized as an autoantigen in 66% of patients with Felty syndrome. EEF1A1 has multiple copies on numerous chromosomes, part of them, if not all, symbolize different pseudogenes. Among the diseases associated with EEF1A1 are tinea nigra and andcervical cancer.

Bcl2 modifying factor, is a member of the Bcl2 protein family of apoptosis mediators. Bcl2 modifying factor is widely expressed in many tissues.
Bcl2 modifying factor contains a single Bcl2 homology domain 3 (BH3), and binds Bcl2 proteins and functions as an apoptotic activator. Also, Bcl2 modifying factor is important for histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors which alters the balance between acetylation and deacetylation, significantly increasing histone acetylation, while strongly inducing apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell types. Bcl2 modifying factor supports Bim in regulating cell death processes in response to many stimuli. A synergistic role for bim and Bcl2 modifying factor in an apoptotic pathway leading to the clearance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae -infected cells.

TAF15 is a member of the TET family of RNA-binding proteins. TAF15 is a component of a subset of multi-subunit transcription initiation factor TFIID complexes which takes part in RNA polymerase II gene transcription. Translocations involving TAF15 are found in severe leukemia and extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. Mutations in TAF15 take part in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

TGFB-Induced Factor Homeobox 2-Like, X-Linked (TGIF2LX) belongs to the TALE/TGIF homeobox family of transcription factors and takes part in spermatogenesis. A homolog of TGIF2LX is located in the male specific region of chromosome Y, in a block of sequence which is the outcome of a large X-to-Y transposition.

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.

CCAAT/enhancer binding protein(C/EBP) g is a family of transcription factors all contain a highly conserved, basic-leucine zipper domain at the C-terminus that is involved in dimerization and DNA binding. C/EBP family of transcription factors regulates viral and cellular CCAAT/enhancer element-mediated transcription. C/EBP family consist of several related proteins, C/EBP a,b,g,d, that form homodimers and/or form heterodimers with each other. C/EBP proteins contain the bZIP region, which is characterized by two motifs in the C-terminal half of the protein; a basic region involved in DNA binding and a leucine zipper motif involved in dimerization. C/EBP g may cooperate with Fos to bind PRE- enhancer elements.