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Dendritic cell and monocyte chemokinelike protein (DMC/CXCL17/VEGF-correlated chemokine 1/VCC1), is a secreted molecule with a size and predicted 3-dimensional folding pattern similar to that of chemokines CXCL8/IL8 and CXCL14/BRAK. CXCL17 is constitutively generated by airway and intestinal epithelium. CXCL17 induces the chemotaxis of quiescent, but not LPS-activated peripheral blood monocytes and dendritic cells, and it also binds these cells specifically. The expression of CXCL17 is increased in endothelial cells when they are induced to form tubes in vitro. CXCL17, CXCL1/GRO and CXCL8/IL8 which have roles in angiogenesis, show significantly correlated expression with that of VEGF in primary lung, breast and esophageal tumors. Therefore, CXCL17 is suggested to have a role in tumor angiogenesis. The mature Rat CXCL17 shares 82%, 71% amino acid sequence identity with mouse, human CXCL17, respectively.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 6 (CEACAM6) is a part of the human carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) family. CEACAM6 belongs to the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked immunoglobulin superfamily which is involved in various human cancers. CEACAM6 is linked to the progression of pancreatic cancer.

Creatine Kinase BB is a cytoplasmic enzyme involved in energy homeostasis. The encoded protein reversibly catalyzes the transfer of phosphate between ATP and various phosphogens such as creatine phosphate. It acts as a homodimer in brain as well as in other tissues, and as a heterodimer with a similar muscle isozyme in heart. The encoded protein is a member of the ATP:guanido phosphotransferase protein family. A pseudogene of this gene has been characterized.

Vitronectin (VTN) which is a part of the pexin family is a cell adhesion and spreading factor found in serum and tissues. VTN interacts with glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. VTN inhibits the membrane-damaging effect of the terminal cytolytic complement pathway and binds to numerous serpin serine protease inhibitors. Scientists have been noticed an over expression of VTN, integrins and plasminogen in migrating cells during wound healing.

A 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

Connective Tissue Growth Factor belongs to the CCN family of proteins. The CCN family presently consists of six members in human also known as: Cyr61 (Cystein rich 61), CTGF (Connective Tissue Growth Factor), Nov (Nephroblastoma Overexpressed gene), WISP-1, 2 and 3 (Wnt-1 Induced Secreted Proteins). The CCN genes encode secreted proteins associated with the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and cell membrane.
CCN proteins are matricellular proteins which are involved in the regulation of various cellular functions including: proliferation, differentiation, survival, adhesion and migration. They are expressed in derivatives of the three embryonic sheets and are implicated in the development of kidney, nervous system, muscle, bone marrow, cartilage and bone. During adulthood, they are implicated in wound healing, bone fracture repair, and pathologies such as: fibrosis, vascular ailments and tumorigenesis.
Full length secreted CCN proteins can show an antiproliferative activity, whereas truncated isoforms are likely to stimulate proliferation and behave as oncogenes.
The full length protein consists of four modulesModule I shares partial identity with the N-terminal part of the IGFBPs.
Module II includes a stretch of 70amino acid residues – which shares sequence identity with the Von Willebrand Factor Type C repeat (VWC).
Module III contains sequences sharing identity with the Thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSP1) (WSXCSXXCG), which is thought to be implicated in the binding of sulfated glycoconjugates and to be important for cell adhesion.
Module IV, also designated CT, is encoded by exon5. It is the leasts conserved one of the four domains at the level of nucleotide sequence, but it appears to be critical for several of the biological functions attributed to the CCN proteins. Module IV resembles the CT domain of several extracellular protein including, Von Willebrand's factor and mucins. Sequence similarities to binding motifs are also found within this domain.
Proteolysis of the secreted full-length CCN proteins that has been reported in the case of CCN2 and CCN3 might result in the production of CCN-derived peptides with high affinity for ligands that full-length CNN proteins bind only poorly. Amino-truncated CCN2 isoforms were biologically active whereas no specific biological activity has been attributed to the truncated CCN3. Although the molecular processes underlying the production of these secreted isoforms is presently unknown, it is important to note that proteolysis occur at the same amino acid residues in both CCN2 and CCN3. An elevated expression of CCN2 has also been detected by Northern blotting in human invasive mammary ductal carcinomas, dermatofibromas, pyogenic granuloma, endothelial cells of angiolipomas and angioleiomyomas, and in pancreatic tumors. A study performed with chondrosarcomas representative of various histological grades established that CCN2 expression was closely correlated with increasing levels of malignancy.
In agreement with CCN2 playing a role in brain tumor angiogenesis, immunocytochemistry studies indicated that both glioblastoma tumor cells and proliferating endothelial cells stained positive for CCN2. In astrocytomas, CCN2 expression was particularly elevated in high grade tumors, with a marked effect of CCN2 on cell proliferation. Downregulation of CCN2 expression in these cells was associated with a growth arrest at the G1/S transition while over-expression of CCN2 induced a two-fold increase of the number of cells in the G1 phase. Gene profiling analysis allowed to identify a set of about 50 genes whose expression might account for the proliferative activity of CCN2 in these cells.
CCN2 was seen in a higher proportion of mononuclear cells of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Eotaxin-2, also called MPIF2 & Ckb6, is a novel CC chemokine produced by activated monocytes and T lymphocytes. Eotaxin-2 selectively chemoattracts cells expressing CCR3 including eosinophils, basophils, Th2 T cells, mast cells, and certain subsets of dendritic cells. Furthermore, Eotaxin-2 inhibits the proliferation of multipotential hematopoietic progenitor cells. The mature protein, which includes C-terminal truncation, contains 78 amino acids (92 amino acids for the mouse homolog, without C-terminal truncation).
CCL24 functions as a chemotactic chemokine for resting t-lymphocytes, and eosinophils. CCL24 has lower chemotactic activity for neutrophils but none for monocytes and activated lymphocytes. CCL24 is a strong suppressor of colony formation by a multipotential hematopoietic progenitor cell line and binds to CCR3.

CA14 is a part of the Carbonic anhydrases family. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are a large family of zinc metalloenzymes which catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide. They present wide variety in tissue distribution and in their subcellular localization. CA14 is a type I membrane protein which shares highest sequence similarity with the other transmembrane CA isoform, CA XII. Nevertheless, they have different patterns of tissue-specific expression and therefore take different physiologic parts.

Adiponectin is a protein exclusively secreted from adipose tissue. In the circulation, adiponectin is present as three different oligomeric complexes, including the high molecular weight (HMW), the middle molecular weight (MMW, also called hexamer) and low molecular weigh (LMW, also called trimer) forms. Different oligomeric complex of adiponectin activates different signaling pathways and exerts distinct functions.

GALK1 enzyme is needed in the first step of the galactose metabolism pathway.
(ATP + D-galactose = ADP + alpha-D-galactose 1-phosphate). GALK1 deficinecy lead galactosemia II which is an autosomal recessive deficiency known by congenital cataracts during infancy and presenile cataracts in the adult population. The cataracts are secondary to accumulation of galactitol in the lenses.

CFL2 protein is a member of the actin-binding proteins ADF family which contains 1 ADF-H domain. Cofilin is a broadly distributed intracellular actin-modulating protein which binds and depolymerizes filamentous F-actin and inhibits the polymerization of monomeric G-actin in a pH-dependent manner. Defects in the CFL2 gene are the cause of nemaline myopathy type 7 (NEM7).

S100A10 is a member of the S100 family of proteins contains two EF-hand calcium-binding motifs and is thought to be involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes including cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100 proteins are localized either in the cytoplasm or the nucleus of a wide range of cells. There are at least 13 members in the S100 gene family, which are located as a cluster on chromosome 1q21. S100A10 may function in exocytosis and endocytosis.

Osteoprotegerin acts as decoy receptor for rankl and thereby neutralizes its function in osteoclastogenesis. OPG inhibits the activation of osteoclasts and promotes osteoclast apoptosis in vitro. Bone homeostasis seems to depend on the local rankl/opg ratio. Osteoprotegerin may also play a role in preventing arterial calcification. May act as decoy receptor for trail and protect against apoptosis. Trail binding blocks the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.

Fibronectin takes part in several cellular processes, including tissue repair, embryogenesis, blood clotting, and cell migration/adhesion.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 consists in 2 main forms: 1) as an insoluble glycoprotein dimer that serves as a linker in the etracellular 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 alos 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.

Collagen, a major component of the extracellular matrix, is a fibrous protein that provides tensile strength to tissues giving them structural integrity. Collagen and its derivative, gelatin, have been widely used in medical, pharmaceutical and consumer products for more than 100 years. The supply of these materials, created from animal remains, is both abundant and inexpensive. However, most formulations are not highly purified and have the potential to cause an inflammatory reaction in some product users. In addition, concerns have been raised over the last several years about the potential for contamination of bovine products with the agent that causes mad cow disease and its human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Animal collagens are subject to extensive modifications that continue over the life of the molecule in the extracellular space. These differences influence both the extractability of collagens from tissue and the biophysical characteristics of these collagens. As a result, collagens isolated from tissues exhibit significant lot-to-lot variability and, as bulk materials, are often analytically intractable. Products that contain animal-derived collagen can induce potentially harmful inflammatory or immune responses in humans and pose risk of contamination with viruses or prions, potentially life-threatening pathogens. Recombinant collagens are essentially identical to the native collagen protein thereby reducing the risk of inflammation, immune response, and disease as compared to animal-sourced collagen.

Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor, Clade C Member 1 (SERPINC1), which is a part of the serpin superfamily, is a plasma protease inhibitor. SERPINC1 inhibits thrombin and other activated serine proteases of the coagulation system, and regulates the blood coagulation cascade. SERPINC1 also inhibits Thrombin and Factors IXa, Xa and XIa. Deficiencies in SERPINC1 can cause ATIII deficiency, an autosomal dominant disease which might lead to a hereditary thrombophilia.

Kidney associated antigen 1 (KAAG1) is expressed in testis and kidney, and, at lower levels, in urinary bladder and liver. KAAG1 is expressed by numerous tumors of various histologic origin, including melanomas, sarcomas and colorectal carcinomas.

Kallikreins are serine protease enzymes having various physiological functions.
Kallikreins are implicated in carcinogenesis and have potenital as novel cancer disease biomarkers. KLK1 is one of the fifteen kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19. KLK1 is functionally conserved in its ability to release the vasoactive peptide, Lys-bradykinin, from low molecular weight kininogen.
Human Kallikrein-1, also called as Kallidinogenase, Kininogenase or Kininogenin, is an active protein enzyme present in saliva, pancreatic juices, and urine that catalyzes the proteolysis of bradykininogen to bradykinin.
Kallikrein-1, which derived from human or porcine, have been used as drugs for a long time, they are mainly used in the treatment f light to medium hypertension and occlusion of cerebral and surrounding blood vessels.
KLK1 demonstrates both trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like selectivities with Tyr/Arg preferred at site P1, Ser/Arg strongly preferred at P1', and Phe/Leu at P2.
rs5517 in the KLK1 gene is considerably connected with hypertension in a Chinese Han population. KLK1 is expressed de novo in endothelial cells and mediates relaxation of human umbilical veins. The K allele of KLK1 promoter and TT genotype of TGF-beta1 are a genetic KLK1 -130 GN and -128 G-C, and the defenselessness factor contributing to progressive renal descent in Taiwanese primary vesicoureteric reflux children.
Induction of KLK1 in carotid arteriosclerosis doesn’t lead to kallikrein-kinins pathway activation. Transgenic rats expressing KLK1 have impaired renal response to acute volume expansion Endothelial cells synthesize and release active form of KLK1on the surface which is important function in maintenance of circulation homeostasis.
KLK1 participates in epidermal desquamation through cleavage of desmoglein 1 and regulation by lympho-epithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI).

Kallikrein-5 (KLK5) is a member of the serine protease family of proteolytic enzymes. KLK5 is expressed in various tissues including the salivary gland, stomach, uterus, lung, thymus, prostate, colon, brain, thyroid, and trachea. KLK5 expression is up-regulated by estrogens and progestins. KLK5 is secreted and may be involved in desquamation in the epidermis. Kallikreins which are a subgroup of serine proteases, have distinct physiological functions. Many kallikreins are associated with carcinogenesis and some have potential as novel cancer and other disease biomarkers. The KLK5 gene is one of the 15 kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19.

PTPN7 performs specifically on tyrosine-phosphorylated MAPK1. PTPN7 takes part in the regulation of signal transduction and T and B-lymphocyte development.

Cathepsin-Z (CTSZ) is a lysosomal cysteine proteinase and a member of the peptidase C1 family. CTSZ, which is known also as cathepsin X and cathepsin P, exhibits carboxy-monopeptidase and carboxy-dipeptidase activities. CTSZ is expressed ubiquitously in cancer cell lines and primary tumors and as other members of this family, takes part in tumorigenesis.

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.

S100A6 is a member of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized either in the cytoplasm or the nucleus of a wide range of cells. S100 proteins are involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. There are at least 13 members in the S100 gene family, which are located as a cluster on chromosome 1q21.
S100A6 may function in stimulation of Ca2+-dependent insulin release, stimulation of prolactin secretion, and exocytosis. Chromosomal rearrangements and altered expression of the S100A6 gene are implicated in melanoma.