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STE20-Related Kinase Adaptor Alpha (STRADA) is a part of the STE- 20 like kinase family which stimulates MAPK pathways by activating MAPKKK. STRADA is an upstream activator of LKB1 and also leads the sub-cellular localization of LKB1 by fixing it in the cytoplasm. The interaction between STRADA-LKB1 leads to phosphorylation of STRADA and enhanced autophosphorylation of LKB1.

OTOR proteins is also known as fibrocyte-derived protein (Fdp) and Melanoma inhibitory activity-like (MIAL). Otoraplin is a member of the melanoma-inhibiting activity gene family. Otoraplin is a secreted 16 kDa globular protein that is expressed in the inner ear by periotic mesenchyme and developing and mature fibrocytes. OTOR is highly homologous to MIA/cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein (CD-RAP), which is a cartilage-specific protein that is also expressed in malignant melanoma cells. The 111 amino acid mature human otoraplin contains 1 SH3 domain (46 – 107 amino acids) and a Tyr at position 50 that is reportedly sulfated. Otoraplin takes pasrt in the initiation of periotic mesenchyme chondrogenesis.
Otoraplin is secreted through the Golgi apparatus and plays a role in cartilage development and maintenance. A frequent polymorphism in the translation start codon of OTOR can abolish translation and may be associated with forms of deafness.

ER Lipid Raft Associated 2 (ERLIN2) is a domain-containing protein which is a member of the band 7/mec-2 family. ERLIN2 is a ubiquitously expressed 339 amino acid protein.ERLIN2 which is localized to the lipid raft-like domains in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), plays a key role in the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway that eliminates metabolically regulated and abnormal proteins from the ER.

Calretinin is an intracellular calcium-binding protein belonging to the troponin C superfamily characterized by a structural motif described as the EF-hand domain. The immunohistochemical detection of calretinin in developing cerebellum is restricted to the later stages indicated by weak staining from week 21 of gestation, in Purkinje and basket cells and in neurons of the dentate nucleus. The intensity of staining increases as the cerebellum matures. In tumors, calretinin has been detected in mesotheliomas and some pulmonary adenocarcinomas.

Calumenin is a calcium-binding protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of mammalian tissues which plays a role in ER functions as protein folding and sorting. Calumenin belongs to a family of multiple EF-hand proteins (CERC) that include reticulocalbin, ERC-55, and Cab45 and the product of this gene. Calumenin binds 7 calcium ions having low affinity and takes part in such ER functions as protein folding and sorting.

PFDN6 is a subunit of the heteromeric prefoldin complex that chaperones developing actin and alpha- and beta-tubulin chains until they are transferred to the cytosolic chaperonin containing TCP1 (CCT) complex. PFDN6 binds specifically to cytosolic chaperonin (c-CPN), transfers target proteins to it and bind to developing polypeptide chain to promote folding in a setting where there are many competing pathways for nonnative proteins.

Fibronectin Type III Domain Containing 5 (Irisin) is a newly discovered hormone, secreted into circulation by muscle, which acts on white adipocytes and promotes WAT “browning”. r-Irisin can reduce body weight and cause induction of brown adipocyte in vivo, including a capacity for thermogenic energy expenditure mediated by uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1). Irisin mature protein is comprised of 110 amino acid residues and two potential glycosylation sites. High levels of Irisin can be found in the heart whereas Very low expression is found in the colon, pancreas and spleen, if any.

KRT18 encodes the type I intermediate filament chain keratin 18. Keratin 18, together with its filament partner keratin 8, are perhaps the most commonly found members of the intermediate filament gene family. They are expressed in single layer epithelial tissues of the body. Mutations in this gene have been linked to cryptogenic cirrhosis. Two transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene.

CD84 belongs to the signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) family which forms a subset of the greater CD2 cell-surface receptor Ig superfamily. CD84, a membrane glycoprotein, is a homophilic adhesion molecule found in various immune cells types and takes part in regulating receptor-mediated signaling in those cells.

Gastrokine 3 (GKN3P) is a Pseudogene, which May inhibit gastric epithelial cell proliferation.

Procalcitonin is a peptide hormone mainly produced by the C cells of the thyroid and certain endocrine cells of the lung. Under normal expression conditions, procalcitonin is immediately cleaved into three specific fragments, an N terminal residue, calcitonin and katacalcin. Levels of unprocessed procalcitonin rise significantly after bacterial infection, trauma or shock.

Gankyrin (proteasome 26S subunit) is a multicatalytic proteinase oncoprotein commonly overexpressed in most hepatocellular carcinomas. Proteasomes are found throughout eukaryotic cells at a high concentrations and cleave peptides in an ATP/ubiquitin-dependent process in a non-lysosomal pathway. Gankyrin interacts with S6 ATPase of the 19S regulatory particle of the 26S proteasome. Gankyrin is involved in theregulation of the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein by CDK4, and to enhance the ubiquitinylation of p53 by MDM2. Gankyrin consists of 7 ankyrin repeats and is structurally similar to I kappa Bs. Gankyrin acts as a regulatory subunit of the 26s proteasome which is involved in the atp-dependent degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. Gankyrin is involved in progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. gankyrin plays an oncogenic role especially in early stages of human epatocarcinogenesis. Gankyrin binds to NF-kappaB and suppresses its activity at the transcription level by modulating acetylation through SIRT1. Structural comparison between Gankyrin & p16(INK4A) identified numerous residues of gankyrin that are potentially important for CDK4 binding.

PTX-2 or Pentraxin-2 is a phylogenetically conserved protein, commonly moving with homopentameric blood protein or with a protein that recognizes receptors of the innate immune system. The protein’s specific binding abilities may show that PTX-2 is specially bound in sites where injury accrued, therefore helps to eliminate damaged tissue by ways that are not phlogistics.

VAMP8 also called endobrevin, is the main component of a SNARE complex involved in the docking and fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. VAMP8 protein is involved in the regulatation of enzyme secretion in pancreatic acinar cells and plays a part in the abscission of the midbody during cell division, which leads to completely separate daughter cells. VAMP8 is essential for dense-granule secretion in platelets. VAMP8 is related with the perinuclear vesicular structures of the early endocytic compartment. VAMP8 interacts particularly with the soluble NSF-attachment protein (alpha-SNAP), through an VAMP8-containing SNARE complex.

pykF (pyruvate kinase I) is a member of the pyruvate kinase family. pykF is an enzyme involved in glycolysis. pykF catalyzes the transfer of a phosphate group from phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to ADP, yielding one molecule of pyruvate and one molecule of ATP, a process which also requires a Magnesium ion. This is the final step in the glycolytic pathway, which produces pyruvate molecules, the ultimate product of aerobic glycolysis.

Retinitis pigmentosa 9 (RP9) is assumed to be a target protein for the PIM1 kinase. The RP9 protein may have some roles in B-cell proliferation in association with PIM1. RP9 can be bound and phosphorylated by the protooncogene PIM1 product, a serine/threonine protein kinase. RP9 localizes in nuclear speckles containing the splicing factors, and has a part in pre-mRNA splicing. RP9 gene mutations result in autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa-9.

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.

S100A9 is part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100A9 protein is localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a wide range of cells, and participates in the regulation of several cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100 genes include no less than 13 proteins which are localized as a cluster on chromosome 1q21. S100A9 is involved in the inhibition of casein kinase and altered expression of this protein is associated with the disease cystic fibrosis.

Prolactin is a neuroendocrine hormone synthesized primarily by the pituitary gland but also a variety of other cell types including the placenta, brain and uterus. Its primary function is to promote and maintain lactation but has also been shown to have a role in breast cancer development, regulation of reproductive function and immunoregulation.

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.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

CACYBP (calcyclin binding protein) participates in calcium-dependent ubiquitination and subsequent proteosomal degradation of target proteins. CACYBP acts as a molecular bridge in ubiquitin E3 complexes. CACYBP is involved in the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of beta-catenin.