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Epidermal growth factor has a profound effect on the differentiation of specific cells in vivo and is a potent mitogenic factor for a variety of cultured cells of both ectodermal and mesodermal origin. The EGF precursor is believed to exist as a membrane-bound molecule which is proteolytically cleaved to generate the 53-amino acid peptide hormone that stimulates cells to divide. EGF stimulates the growth of various epidermal and epithelial tissues in vivo and in vitro and of some fibroblasts in cell culture.

Somatostatin (also known as growth hormone inhibiting hormone (GHIH) or somatotropin release-inhibiting hormone (SRIF) is a peptide hormone that regulates the endocrine systemand affects neurotransmission and cell proliferation via interaction with G-protein-coupled somatostatin receptors and inhibition of the release of numerous secondary hormones. Somatostatin has two active forms produced by alternative cleavage of a single preproprotein: one of 14 amino acids, the other of 28 amino acids.

IGFBP1 is a member of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) family and encodes a protein with an IGFBP domain and a thyroglobulin type-I domain. The protein binds both insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) I and II and circulates in the plasma. Binding of this protein prolongs the half-life of the IGFs and alters their interaction with cell surface receptors. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized.

Recombinant Human Sonic Hedgehog is part of a small group of secreted proteins that are vital for development in both vertebrates and invertebrates. 3 mammalian hedgehog genes (sonic, desert, Indian) share about 60% homology. The Human Sonic Hedgehog is 99% homologous to the mouse gene. Sonic HedgeHog helps in guiding the early embryo. It has been associated as the major inductive signal in patterning of the ventral neural tube, the anterior-posterior limb axis, and the ventral somites. Sonic HedgeHog binds to the patched receptor, which association with smoothened, to activate the transcription of target genes. In the absence of sonic HedgeHog, patched receptor represses the constitutive signaling activity of smoothened. Sonic HedgeHog also regulates another factor, the gli oncogene. Sonic HedgeHog intercellular signal is necessary for a various patterning events during development: signal produced by the notochord that induces ventral cell fate in the neural tube and somites, and the polarizing signal for patterning of the anterior-posterior axis of the developing limb bud. Sonic HedgeHog exhibits both floor plate- and motor neuron-inducing activity. Mutations in a long-range Sonic HedgeHog enhancer located in an intron of the limb region 1 gene result in preaxial polydactyly.

CSRP2 belongs to the CSRP family. CSRP2 holds 2 LIM zinc-binding domains that take part in regulatory processes essential for development and cellular differentiation. Additionally, CSRP2 is involved in the development of the embryonic vascular system.

Neurogranin (NRGN) is a calmodulin-binding protein which is expressed solely in the brain, mainly in dendritic spines. NRGN is also taking part in the protein kinase C signaling pathway by being a "third messenger" substrate of protein kinase C-mediated molecular cascades during synaptic development and remodeling. NRGN binds to calmodulin in the absence of calcium. NRGN protein’s phosphorylation by protein kinase C lowers its binding ability.

Human Fatty Epidermal Acid Binding Protein FABP also called FABP-5 is a 15 kD member of the intracellular fatty acid binding protein (FABP) family, which is known for the ability to bind fatty acids and related compounds ( bile acids or retinoids). In an internal cavity. The fatty acid binding proteins aP2 (fatty acid binding protein [FABP]-4) and mal1 (EFABP) are closely related and both are expressed in adipocytes. Absence of EFABP/mal1 resulted in increased systemic insulin sensitivity in two models of obesity and insulin resistance. Adipocytes isolated from mal1-deficient mice also exhibited enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose transport capacity. In contrast, mice expressing high levels of mal1 in adipose tissue display reduced systematic insulin activity.

Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein 1 (PGLYRP1) is a member of the N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine amidase 2 family. PGLYRP1 binds to peptidoglycan of bacteria and affects the peptidoglycan biosynthesis. PGLYRP1 displays bactericidal activity towards Gram-positive bacteria and is bacteriostatic towards Gram-negative bacteria. PGLYRP1 has a role in innate immunity. PGLYRP1 is highly expressed in the bone marrow, and weakly expressed in the kidney, liver, small intestine, spleen, thymus, peripheral leukocyte, lung, fetal spleen and neutrophils.

TGFBR2 is part of the Ser/Thr protein kinase family and the TGFB receptor subfamily. TGFBR2 is a transmembrane protein that has a protein kinase domain, forms a heterodimeric complex with another receptor protein, and binds TGF-beta. This receptor/ligand complex phosphorylates proteins, which then enter the nucleus and regulate the transcription of a subset of genes related to cell proliferation. Mutations in TGFBR2 gene have been associated with Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Deitz Aortic Aneurysm Syndrome, and the development of various types of tumors. TGFBR2 expression is increased in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. TGFBR2 attenuates the biological activities of TGF-beta in colorectal cancer. TGFBR2 expression is decreased by IL-1beta while inducing Sp3 via NFkappaB. TGFB2 and TGFBR2 are involved in the antiestrogenic activity of tamoxifen metabolites in breast cancer.

Toll-interleukin1 receptor (TIR) domain containing adaptor protein (TIRAP) contains 1 TIR domain. TIRAP is an adapter molecule linked with toll-like receptors. TIRAP is required in TLR2 and TLR4 signaling pathways in the innate immune response. TIRAP activates NF-kappa-B, MAPK1, MAPK3 and JNK, which subsequently results in cytokine secretion and the inflammatory response. TIRAP is highly expressed in the liver, kidney, spleen, skeletal muscle and heart. TIRAP is also found in peripheral blood leukocytes, lung, placenta, small intestine, thymus, colon and brain.

P450 Oxidoreductase, also known as POR is a flavoprotein which contributes electrons to all microsomal P450 enzymes. POR is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, where it is also capable of transfering electrons to heme oxygenase as well as cytochrome b5. POR is structurally related to two separate flavoprotein families; first one is ferredoxin nucleotide reductase and the second flavodoxin.

Heat-stable enterotoxins (STa) are small, cysteine-rich peptides secreted by Escherichia coli that are able to induce diarrhea through the stimulation of an intestine-specific receptor-guanylyl cyclase known as STaR. Binding of STa to STaR induces a dramatic increase in the cGMP content of the cell; the increase, in turn, inhibits salt absorption and stimulates chloride secretion. This imbalance of ions is accompanied by a massive accumulation of water in the gut that gives rise to the diarrhea and dehydration characteristic of enterotoxin activity. The identification of a receptor for STa on intestinal brush border membranes suggested the existence of an endogenous activator, described guanylin, a 15-amino acid peptide purified from rat small intestine, as a potential ligand for the STaR. This peptide shares sequence similarity with STa; see also uroguanylin. The molecular cloning of the human and mouse cDNAs encoding guanylin was reported. The sequences demonstrated that guanylin is present at the C-terminal end of a larger precursor protein. Expression in mammalian cells indicated that the 94- amino acid proguanylin is inactive. The biologically active guanylin can be released by either chemical or enzymatic treatment of proguanylin. By Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization, showed that expression of guanylin mRNA is restricted to cells of the intestinal epithelium, specifically the Paneth cells at the base of the small intestinal crypts. These results demonstrate that guanylin is an endogenous activator of STaR isolated a cDNA encoding an apparent precursor of guanylin from a human intestinal cDNA library. The mRNA was expressed at high levels in human ileum and colon. In the mouse, interspecific backcross analysis used to map the Guca2 gene to the distal half of mouse chromosome 4 in a region of homology with human chromosome 1p. By fluorescence in situ hybridization mapped the GUCA2 gene to human 1p35-p34 Guanylin is thought to modulate intestinal water/electrolyte transport in a paracrine mode reported the nucleotide sequence of the gene, the characteristics of its circulating molecular form, and its localization in enterochromaffin cells of the gut. The gene, approximately 2.6 kb in size, consists of 3 exons interrupted by 2 introns. The hormonal form of guanylin is a 94-amino acid peptide with a molecular mass of 10.3 kDa. Guanylin is synthesized by gut enterochromaffin cells as a prohormone of 115 amino acids and is processed to the molecular form of 94 amino acids circulating in the blood.

Cell Growth Regulator with EF-Hand Domain 1, also known as CGREF1 is a secreted calcium ion binding protein. CGREF1 includes two EF-hand domains & both EF-hands are essential for function. CGREF1 is most likely digested extracellularly by an unfamiliar serine protease generating extremely hydrophobic bioactive peptides. CGREF1 mediates cell-cell adhesion in a calcium-dependent manner. In addition, CGREF1 is capable to inhibit growth in more than a few cell lines.

Prosaposin (PSAP) is a precursor of 4 lysosomal saposin proteins (saposin A, B, C and D). Saposins are heat-stable glycoproteins which facilitate the catabolism of glycosphingolipids with short oligosaccharide groups. PSAP stimulates neurite outgrowth and increases choline acetyltransferase activity. Prosaposin exists both as a secretory protein and as an integral membrane protein and has neurotrophic activities. The secreted prosaposin is assumed to have additional functions in human milk, cerebrospinal fluid and seminal plasma. PSAP gene mutations are linked with Gaucher disease, Tay-Sachs disease, and metachromatic leukodystrophy.

Glycogen phosphorylase is one of the phosphorylaseenzymes(EC2.4.1.1). It breaks up glycogeninto glucosesubunits. Glycogenis left with one less glucosemolecule, and the free glucosemolecule is in the form of glucose-1-phosphate. In order to be used for metabolism, it must be converted to glucose-6-phosphateby the enzyme phosphoglucomutase.
Glycogen phosphorylase can only act on linearchainsof glycogen(a 1-4 glycosidic linkage). Its work will immediately come to a halt four residues away from a 1-6 branch(which are exceedingly common in glycogen). In these situations, a debranching enzymeis necessary, which will straighten out the chain in that area. Additionally, an alpha 1-6 glucosidaseenzymeis required to break the remaining 1-6 residue that remains in the new linear chain. After all this is done, glycogen phosphorylase can continue.
An insulinstimulated enzyme known as phosphoprotein phosphatase(PP-1) inactivates glycogen phosphorylase to prevent glycogen break up.
GPBB - a sensitive marker for the AMI diagnosis within 4 hours after the onset of chest pain. It has also been shown that GPBB is increased in a considerable proportion of AMI patients within 2-3 hours from chest pain onset. GPBB is increased early in patients with unstable angina. GPBB can also be a sensitive marker for the detection of peri-operative myocardial ischaemia and infarction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Mannose-6-Phosphate Receptor (M6PR) belongs to the P-type lectin family. P-type lectins play a vital role in lysosome function through the specific transport of mannose-6-phosphate-containing acid hydrolases from the Golgi complex to lysosomes. The M6PR protein functions as a homodimer and needs divalent cations for ligand binding. Lysosomal enzymes carrying phosphomannosyl residues bind specifically to mannose-6-phosphate receptors in the Golgi apparatus and the ensuing receptor-ligand complex is transferred to an acidic prelyosomal compartment where the low pH mediates the dissociation of the complex.

Cysteine-rich PDZ-binding protein, also known as CRIPT, takes part in the cytoskeletal anchoring of DLG4 in excitatory synapses.

Entry of HSV into the host cell involves interactions of several viral glycoproteins with cell surface receptors. The virus particle is covered by an envelope which, when bound to specific receptors on the cell surface, will fuse with the cell membrane and create an opening, or pore, through which the virus enters the host cell. The sequential stages of HSV entry are analagous to those of other viruses. At first, complementary receptors on the virus and cell surface bring the two membranes into proximity. In an intermediate state, the two membranes begin to merge, forming a hemifusion state. Finally, a stable entry pore is formed through which the viral envelope contents are introduced to the host cell.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRNPA1) is a member of the A/B subfamily of ubiquitously expressed heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs). HNRNPA1 is involved in the packing of pre-mRNA into hnRNP particles, transport of poly(A) mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and may control splice site selection. The HNRNPA1 protein may also have a role in HCV RNA replication. In addition, HNRNPA1 is believed to have a key role in the formation of specific myometrial protein species in parturition.
The hnRNP proteins have distinctive nucleic acid binding properties. HNRNPA1 has 2 repeats of quasi-RRM domains that bind to RNAs. HNRNPA1 is one of the most copious core proteins of hnRNP complexes and it is restricted to the nucleoplasm. The HNRNPA1 protein, along with other hnRNP proteins, is exported from the nucleus, most likely bound to mRNA, and is immediately re-imported. The M9 domain of HNRNPA1 functions as both a nuclear localization and nuclear export signal.

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is an enzyme that reduces dihydrofolic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid, with NADPH as electron donor that can be converted to the kinds of tetrahydrofolate cofactors applied in 1-carbon transfer chemistry. DHFR converts dihydrofolate into tetrahydrofolate, which is a methyl group shuttle required for the de novo synthesis of purines, thymidylic acid, and specific amino acids. Even though the functional DHFR gene is mapped to chromosome 5, numerous intronless processed pseudogenes or dihydrofolate reductase-like genes are identified on separate chromosomes.
DHFR deficiency is associated with megaloblastic anemia.
DHFR knockdown plays a role in the anticancer activity of 2-hydroxyoleic acid.
DHFR gene insertion/deletion polymorphism is linked to variation in serum and red blood cell folate concentrations in women.

HSP27 (also known as the Estrogen-Regulated 24K protein, and hsp 28) is a member of the mammalian small heat shock protein family. Hsp27 is expressed constitutively in many tissues and its expression is increased to high levels after various types of stress including elevated temperatures, toxic metals, drugs and oxidants. Also, Hsp27 is phosphorylated in vivo on three phosphorylation sites (Ser15, Ser78 and Ser82) by protein kinases including MAPKAP kinase 2 and the stress-activated protein kinase SAPK2 (p38).

NDRG2 belongs to the N-myc downregulated gene family that is a part of the alpha/beta hydrolase superfamily. NDRG2 takes part in dendritic and neuronal cell differentiation and outgrowth and is found in large quantities in heart, dendritic cells, brain, salivary gland and skeletal muscle and in small quantities in kidney and liver. In Alzheimer Disease (AD)-affected patients NDRG2 is found in brain lesions and is believed to be related to the progression of AD.

NGF-beta has nerve growth stimulating activity and the complex is involved in the regulation of growth and the differentiation of sympathetic and certain sensory neurons. Mutations in this gene have been associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, type 5 (HSAN5), and dysregulation of this gene's expression is associated with allergic rhinitis.