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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.

CTK-19 is a member of the keratin family. The keratins are intermediate filament proteins responsible for the structural integrity of epithelial cells and are subdivided into cytokeratins and hair keratins. The type I cytokeratins consist of acidic proteins which are arranged in pairs of heterotypic keratin chains. Unlike its related family members, this smallest known acidic cytokeratin is not paired with a basic cytokeratin in epithelial cells. It is specifically expressed in the periderm, the transiently superficial layer that envelopes the developing epidermis. The type I cytokeratins are clustered in a region of chromosome 17q12-q21.

Cytokeratin 14 is a member of the keratin family, the most diverse group of intermediate filaments. Cytokeratin 14 is a type I keratin, is usually found as a heterotetramer with two keratin 5 molecules, a type II keratin. Together they form the cytoskeleton of epithelial cells. Mutations in the genes for these keratins are associated with epidermolysis bullosa simplex. At least one pseudogene has been identified at 17p12-p11.

KCNIP3 belongs to a family of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel-interacting proteins, which belong to the recoverin branch of the EF-hand superfamily. KCNIP family members are small calcium binding proteins containing EF-hand-like domains. KCNIP3 also functions as a calcium-regulated transcriptional repressor, and interacts with presenilins. Mutations in the presenilin genes are implicated in Alzheimer's disease.

Cytokeratin 8 belongs to the type B (basic) subfamily of high molecular weight keratins and exists in combination with keratin 18. Cytokeratin 8 is primarily found in the non-squamous epithelia and is present in majority of adenocarcinomas and ductal carcinomas. It is absent in squamous cell carcinomas. Hepatocellular carcinomas are defined by the use of antibodies that recognize only cytokeratin polypeptides 8 and 18.

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.

Killer Cell lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K, Member 1 (KLRK1) is an activating receptor which has recently generated considerable interest. The most fascinating of these, are a couple of closely related proteins known as MICA and MICB. These are cell-surface molecules distantly related to MHC class I proteins, and their genes have elements of heat shock promoters. Thus, MICA and MICB are expressed in the course of cell stress and are up-regulated in tumor cells and during viral infections. This receptor-ligand combination has a crucial role in the immune response to various pathologies.

Cytokeratin 16, also known as KRT16, is a member of the keratin gene family. KRT16 which acts as a regulator of innate immunity in response to skin barrier breach is required for some inflammatory checkpoint for the skin barrier maintenance. KRT16 is coexpressed with keratin 14 in a few epithelial tissues as esophagus, tongue, and hair follicles.

Cytokeratin 17 also known as KRT17 is a type I cytokeratin. KRT17 is found in nail beds, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and other epidermal appendages. Mutations in KRT17 lead to Jackson-Lawler type pachyonychia congenita and steatocystoma multiplex. KRT17 takes part in the formation and maintenance of a variety of skin appendages, particularly in determining shape and orientation of hair. KRT17 also modulates the function of TNF-alpha in the precise context of hair cycling. Moreover, KRT17 regulates protein synthesis and epithelial cell growth all through binding to the adapter protein SFN and by stimulating Akt/mTOR pathway.

Glycophorin C, also known as GYPC, is an integral membrane glycoprotein. GYPC is a minor species which is carried by human erythrocytes, however plays an important role in regulating the mechanical stability of red cells. Numeral glycophorin C mutations have been described. The Gerbich and Yus phenotypes are due to deletion of exon 3 & 2, respectively. The Webb & Duch antigens, also identified as glycophorin D, result from single point mutations of the glycophorin C gene. The glycophorin C protein has very slight homology with glycophorins A & B.

Cytokeratin 5 (KRT5) belongs to the keratin gene family. The type II cytokeratins are comprised of basic or neutral proteins which are arranged in pairs of heterotypic keratin chains coexpressed throughout differentiation of simple and stratified epithelial tissues. The type II cytokeratins are clustered in a region of chromosome 12q12-q13. The KRT5 type II cytokeratin is specifically expressed in the basal layer of the epidermis with family member KRT14. Mutations in these genes are linked with a complex of diseases termed epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

Cytohesin-interacting protein, also known as CYTIP contains 2 leucine zipper domains as well as a putative C-terminal nuclear targeting signal. However, CYTIP does not contain any hydrophobic regions. In addition, CYTIP is expressed weakly in resting NK and T cells. It also modulates the activation of ARF genes by CYTH1.

VAMP3 is present in recycling endosomes and endosome-derived vesicles. VAMP3 has been implicated in recycling of transferrin receptors to the plasma membrane, secretion of alpha-granules in platelets, recycling of T-cell receptors to the immunological synapses, and membrane trafficking during cell migration. VAMP-3 is present in human platelets and necessary for granule secretion. Synaptobrevins are the main components of a protein complex involved in the docking and/or fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. VAMP3 high homology to other VAMPs in its broad tissue distribution and subcellular localization is shown to be the human equivalent of the rodent cellubrevin. In platelets the protein resides on a compartment that is not mobilized to the plasma membrane on calcium or thrombin stimulation.

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein family which is part of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily.

The superfamily includes large families of growth and differentiation factors.

Bone morphogenetic proteins were originally identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site.

This particular family member plays an important role in the onset of endochondral bone formation in humans, and a reduction in expression has been associated with a variety of bone diseases, including the heritable disorder Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva.

Alternative splicing in the 5' untranslated region of this gene has been described and three variants are described, all encoding an identical protein.

Cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) is a 201 amino acid member of the interleukin-6 superfamily. It was identified by its ability to induce hypertrophic response in cardiac myocytes. CT-1 mRNA levels were found both in cardiac myocytes and in cardiac nonmyocytes. CT 1 was also detected in abundance in normal adult human lung and was expressed in both fetal and adult airway smooth muscle cells. CT 1 activates gp130 dependent signaling and stimulates the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway to transduce hypertrophic and cytoprotective signals in cardiac myocytes.
CT 1 has also a neurotrophic function. CTF1 deficiency causes increased motoneuron cell death in spinal cord and brainstem nuclei of mice during a period between embryonic day 14 and the first postnatal week. Moreover, CT-1 is a hepatocyte survival factor that efficiently reduces hepatocellular damage in animal models of acute liver injury. Cardiotrophin 1 expression is augmented after hypoxic stimulation and it can protect cardiac cells when added either prior to simulated ischaemia or at the time of reoxygenation following simulated ischaemia. Cardiotrophin 1 can induce expression of the protective heat shock proteins (hsps) in cardiac cells.
Cardiotrophin-1 increased ventricular expression of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and angiotensinogen mRNA.
Cardiophin 1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with heart failure, patients with dilatative cardiomyopathy, moderate/severe mitral regurgitation, stable and unstable angina and after acute myocardial infarction.

A natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) NKp46 has been shown to represent a novel NK cell-specific molecule involved in human NK cell activation. The natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) are a recently characterized family of Ig-like activation receptors that appear to be major triggering receptors in tumor cell recognition. The three known NCRs include NKp46 and NKp30, which are expressed on circulating NKcells, and NKp44, which is expressed only on activating NK cells. NKp46 has been implicated in NK cell-mediated lysis of several autologous tumor cells, pathogen-infected cell lines and mononuclear phagocytes infected with an intracellular bacterium. The Lysis of tumor cells by NK-cells involves recognition by NKp46 of heparan sulfate moieties of membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Furthermore, NKp46 is a surface receptor involved in NK-cell cell death by apoptosis. NKp46 has two extracellular Ig-like domains followed by a ~40 residue stalk region, a type I transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. The extracellular Ig-like domain of NKp46 (22-255aa) is purified by FPLC gel-filtration chromatography, after refolding of the isolated inclusion bodies in a redox buffer. In addition, engagement of the antigen with the monoclonal antibody stimulates intracellular calcium levels and the synthesis of cytokines. CD59 is an NKp46 coreceptor (by physical association) together they activate cytotoxicity of human NK-cells, their engagement results in tyrosine phosphorylation of CD3-zeta chains associated with NKp46. Reduced cell surface expression of NKp46 and other NK-cell receptors is linked to the impaired NK-cell cytolytic function in viremic HIV-1 infection.

P85a functions as the regulatory subunit of the class IA PI3-kinase isoforms a, b, and d.
It contains two SH2 domains that bind to tyrosine-phosphorylated growth factor receptors or substrate adaptor proteins.
It also contains a BH (breakpoint cluster region homology) domain that shows GAP activity towards the small GTPases Rab4, Rab5, Cdc42, Rac1 and to a lesser extend towards Rab6 and Rab11.
It was shown that PI3Ka catalytic subunit mediated phosphorylation of the p85a adapter reduces the lipid kinase activity of the heterodimer and this gives hints for PI3K-dependent signaling events not requiring production of 3’-phosphorylated phosphoinositides.
PI3Ka protein kinase activity has been implicated in IRS-1 serine phosphorylation in insulin-treated adipocytes and in STAT3 and IRS-1 phosphorylation upon activation of the type 1 IFN receptor by IFN-a.

KIAA0101 is a PCNA-binding protein which performs as a regulator of DNA repair all through DNA replication. Subsequent to DNA mutilation, the collaboration with PCNA is interrupted, enabling the interaction between monoubiquitinated PCNA and the translesion DNA synthesis DNA polymerase eta (POLH) at stalled replisomes, assisting the bypass of replication-fork-blocking lesions. Additionally, KIAA0101 performs as a controller of centrosome number.

Signal-Regulatory Protein Alpha, SIRPA belongs to the signal-regulatory-protein (SIRP) family, as well as the immunoglobulin super family. The members of the SIRP family are receptor-type transmembrane glycoproteins which are involved in the negative regulation of receptor tyrosine kinase-coupled signaling processes.
SIRPA can be phosphorylated by tyrosine kinases. The phospho-tyrosine residues of this PTP have been shown to recruit SH2 domain containing tyrosine phosphatases (PTP), and perform as substrates of PTPs. SIRPA take part in signal transduction mediated by a variety of growth factor receptors. CD47 has been shown to be a ligand for SIRPA.

Profilin1 (PFN1) is a ubiquitous actin monomer-binding protein which is a member of the profilin family. PFN1 significantly boosts skin wound healing in-vitro and in-vivo which may be mediated by purinergic receptors. PFN1 is also active in endothelial cell migration and vessel sprouting. PFN1 is thought to control actin polymerization in response to extracellular signals. PFN1 binds to actin and affects the formation of the cytoskeleton. In addition, PFN1 has an important role in the regulation of epithelial cell-cell adhesion. At high concentrations, profilin averts the polymerization of actin, while at low concentrations it enhances the polymerization. PFN1 gene deletion is linked to Miller-Dieker syndrome.

IFIH1 is a DEAD box protein which is upregulated in response to treatment with beta-interferon and a protein kinase C-activating compound, mezerein. Irreversible reprogramming of melanomas can be attained by therapy with both these agents; treatment with either agent alone only achieves reversible differentiation. DEAD box proteins are implicated in several cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure such as translation initiation, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly.

Streptavidin is a tetrameric protein secreted by Streptomyces avidinii which binds firmly to biotin. Streptavidin is widely used in molecular biology through its unique high affinity for the vitamin biotin. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the biotin-streptavidin complex is about ~10-15 mol/L. The strong affinity recognition of biotin and biotinylated molecules has made streptavidin one of the most important components in diagnostics and laboratory kits. The streptavidin/biotin system has one of the biggest free energies of association of yet observed for noncovalent binding of a protein and small ligand in aqueous solution (K_assoc = 10**14). The complexes are also extremely stable over a wide range of temperature and pH.

Recoverin is a member of the recoverin family of neuronal calcium sensors. Recoverin is a heterogeneously acylated calcium-binding and intracellular signal transduction 23kDa protein in the photoreceptor cells of retina. Recoverin contains four EF-hands, of which two bind Ca. Ca-induced extrusion of the acyl group from a hydrophobic cleft in the protein drives the translocation of recoverin from solution to the disc membrane. Recoverin may prolong the termination of the phototransduction cascade in the retina by blocking the phosphorylation of photo-activated rhodopsin. Recoverin plays a key role in the inhibition of rhodopsin kinase, a molecule that regulates the phosphorylation of rhodopsin. This in due course controls the ability of the eye to adapt to, and recover from, exposure to the presence of light. Recoverin is a detectable serologic protein that is expressed in patients with cancer-associated retinopathy, a paraneoplastic syndrome.

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 is a protein that is vital in guding 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 functions in 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 essential 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.