Search results

Melanoma Antigen Family A 8, also known as MAGEA8 belongs to the MAGE gene family, which includes twelve known genes, of which six are expressed in tumors. Furthermore, the MAGE genes were at first isolated from different kinds of tumors, and according to their virtually exclusive tumor-specific expression in adult tissues, they have been used as targets for cancer immunotherapy.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor also called LIF is a lymphoid factor that promotes long-term maintenance of embryonic stem cells by suppressing spontaneous differentiation. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor has several functions such as cholinergic neuron differentiation, control of stem cell pluripotency, bone & fat metabolism, mitogenesis of factor dependent cell lines & promotion of megakaryocyte production in vivo. Human and mouse LIF exhibit a 78% identity in its amino acid sequence.

Leptin is a protein hormone. It is mainly produced in adipose cells that regulate energy homeostasis by restraining hunger. Leptin ties to nuclear receptors in the hypothalamus (arcuate nucleus). Similar to insulin resistance in type II diabetes, in obesity there is a decrease in the sensitivity towards leptin, ending in a failure to identify satiety, even in high levels of energy stores or leptin itself. Full-length cDNA encoding 2 leptin sequences (tLepA and tLepB) and 1 leptin receptor sequence (tLepR) exists in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The full-length cDNA of tLepR is 3423 bp, encoding a protein of 1140 amino acid which contained all functionally important domains conserved among vertebrate leptin receptors. The cDNAs of tLepA and tLepB are 486 bp and 459 bp in length, encoding proteins of 161 aa and 152 aa, respectively. The three-dimensional structures of tLepA and tLepB demonstrates strong conservation of tertiary structure with that of human leptin comprised of 4 helixes.

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.

Serine/threonine-protein kinase 16 (STK16) is a membrane-associated protein kinase which phosphorylates on serine and threonine residues. STK16 is involved in secretory vesicle trafficking or intracellular signaling. Furthermore, the STK16 protein may have a role in regulating stromal-epithelial interactions which occur during ductal morphogenesis in the mammary gland. STK16 can autophosphorylate on Tyr residue; it is however unclear whether STK16 has tyrosine-protein kinase toward other proteins. STK16 may also be involved in TGF-beta signaling.

KLRD1, also known as Killer Cell Lectin Like Receptor D1, is expressed on the surface of natural killer cells in the innate immune system. KLRD1 functions as a receptor for the recognition of MHC class I HLA-E molecules by NK cells and some cytotoxic T-cells. KLRD1 can create disulfide-bonded heterodimer with NKG2 family members. CD94 & NKG2 complex interacts with (HLA)-E, Human Leukocyte Antigen on target cells on the surface of natural killer cells.

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.

Histrelin is a hormone similar to one normally released from the hypothalamus gland in the brain. Histrelin works by decreasing the amount of estrogen and testosterone in the blood. Suppressing estrogen can cause thinning of the bones or slowing of their growth. Histrelin acetate is a potent LHRH agonist which stimulates LH and FSH release and inhibits the actions of sex steroids on the male and female reproductive tracts. After a transient increase, continuous administration results in down regulation of LH and FSH levels followed by a suppression of ovarian and testicular steroid biosynthesis. Histrelin potency in vivo and in vitro is similar to that of the D-Trp6-containing analog. Especially because of its high water solubility and greater lipophilic character, it appears promising for clinical application.

CDC37, His protein is extremely parallel to Cdc 37, a cell division cycle control protein of Sacchromyces cerevisiae. CDC37 is a molecular chaperone with a detailed role in cell signal transduction. CDC37 forms a complex with Hsp90 and several protein kinases including CDK4, CDK6, SRC, RAF-1, MOK, and eIF2 alpha kinases CDC37 has a vital part in directing Hsp90 to its target kinases.

Collagen triple helix repeat-containing protein 1 (CTHRC1) functions as a negative regulator of collagen matrix deposition. CTHRC1 is a secreted 28kDa protein which is glycosylated and highly conserved from lower chordates to mammals. CTHRC1 is highly connected with calcified tissues and cartilaginous matrix, but not with endothelial cells. CTHRC1 is detected qualitatively in plasma of healthy human subjects. CTHRC1 plasma levels are also significantly elevated during pregnancy, in diabetes, in inflammatory and infectious conditions, in subjects with acute myeloid leukemia but not in subjects with solid cancers. The hormonal functions of CTHRC1 include regulation of lipid storage and cellular glycogen levels with potentially far-reaching implications for cell metabolism and physiology. CTHRC1 gene deletion leads to fatty liver (steatosis) formation in mice while others exhibited inactivation of the CTHRC1 gene also results in low bone mass.

FLT3 ligand is a receptor for the fl cytokine has a tyrosine-protein kinase activity & a growth factor that regulates proliferation of early hematopoietic cells. Flt3-Ligand synergizes with other CSFs and interleukins to induce growth and differentiation.

Microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3 beta 2 (MAP1LC3B2) is a member of the MAP1LC3 family. MAP1LC3B2 is a subunit of neuronal microtubule-associated MAP1A and MAP1B proteins, which are involved in microtubule assembly and essential for neurogenesis. The MAP1LC3B2 protein is possibly involved in formation of autophagosomal vacuoles (autophagosomes). MAP1LC3B2 is expressed primarily in the heart, testis, brain and skeletal muscle.

Adiponectin is a recently discovered 244 amino acid protein, the product of the apM1 gene, which is physiologically active and specifically and highly expressed in adipose cells (Adipokine). The protein belongs to the soluble defense collagen super family; it has a collagen-like domain structurally homologous with collagen VIII and X and complement factor C1q-like globular domain. APM-1 forms homotrimers, which are the building blocks for higher order complexes found circulating in serum.

Cell division protein kinase 5 (CDK5) belongs to the cyclin-dependent kinase family. CDK5 is essential for appropriate development of the brain and in order to be activated CDK5 must link to CDK5R1 or CDK5R2. CDK5 doesn't need phosphorylation on the T loop so that binding with the activator is enough to activate the kinase. CDK5 is engaged in the processes of neuronal maturation and migration, phosphorylating the central intracellular adaptor of the reeling signaling chain.

Chitinase 3-Like 1 (CHI3L1) catalyze the hydrolysis of chitin that is an abundant glycopolymer present in insect exoskeletons and fungal cell walls. The glycoside hydrolase 18 family of chitinases comprises 8 human family members. CHI3L1 belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family. CHI3L1 lacks chitinase activity and is secreted by activated macrophages, chondrocytes, neutrophils and synovial cells. CHI3L1 takes part in the process of inflammation and tissue remodeling.

Excess adiposity is the most important risk in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Adipose tissue produces several proteins (adipocytokines) such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor-?, and IL-6, that modulate insulin sensitivity and appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms by which fat tissue induces insulin resistance and the role of adipocytokines in the pathogenesis of T2DM have not been well established.
Visfatin, also known as pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF), is a cytokine that is highly expressed in visceral fat and was originally isolated as a secreted factor that synergizes with IL-7 and stem cell factors to promote the growth of B cell precursors. Visfatin homologs have been identified in carp, invertebrate mollusks, and bacteria, as well as in vertebrates, including humans and the mouse. It has been postulated to play a role in innate immunity.
Visfatin exerts insulin-mimetic effects that are dose-dependent and quantitatively similar to those of insulin in stimulating muscle and adipocyte glucose transport, and in inhibiting hepatocyte glucose production. Intravenous injection of recombinant visfatin in mice decreased plasma glucose in a dose-dependent fashion. In keeping with its insulin-mimetic effects, visfatin was as effective as insulin in reducing hyperglycemia in insulin-deficient diabetic mice. Visfatin was also found to be bound to and activate insulin receptor, causing receptor phosphorylation and the activation of downstream signaling molecules. However, visfatin and insulin did not compete for binding to the insulin receptor, indicating that the two proteins were recognized by different regions of the receptor. Thus, visfatin might play a role in glucose homeostasis and dysregulation in biosynthesis or signal transduction, and might contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes.

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.

Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor, also known as CNTFR is a member of the type I cytokine receptor family. CNTFR binds to CNTF.The alpha subunit provides the receptor specificity.Sole nucleotide polymorphisms in CNTFR has been associated with variations in muscle strength, in addition to early onset of eating disorders.

CCL28 is part of the subfamily of small cytokine CC genes. CCL28 shows chemotactic activity for resting CD4 or CD8 T cells and eosinophils. CCL28 binds to chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR10. CCL28 is involved in the physiology of extracutaneous epithelial tissues, including diverse mucosal organs. CCL28 mediates mucosal immunity in HIV exposure and infection. CCL28 is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases.
Human CCL28 cDNA encodes a 127 amino acid residue precursor protein with a putative 22 amino acid residue signal peptide that is cleaved to produce the 105 amino acid residue mature protein. Human and mouse CCL28 are highly conserved, sharing 83% amino acid identity in their mature regions. CCL28 shares the most homology with CCL27/CTACK. Human and mouse CCL28 RNA expression was found to be highest in normal and pathologic colon with the protein being expressed by epithelial cells. Human CCL28 RNA was also present in normal and asthmatic lung tissues.

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that regulates T and natural killer cell activation and proliferation. This cytokine and interleukine 2 share many biological activities. They are found to bind common hematopoietin receptor subunits, and may compete for the same receptor, and thus negatively regulate each other's activity. The number of CD8+ memory cells is shown to be controlled by a balance between this cytokine and IL2. This cytokine induces the activation of JAK kinases, as well as the phosphorylation and activation of transcription activators STAT3, STAT5, and STAT6. Studies of the mouse counterpart suggested that this cytokine may increase the expression of apoptosis inhibitor BCL2L1/BCL-x(L), possibly through the transcription activation activity of STAT6, and thus prevent apoptosis. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding the same protein have been reported.