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ULBP2 is a member of the MHC class I family. ULBP2 is ligand for the NKG2D receptor, composed with at least ULBP1 and ULBP3. ULBPs promote multiple signaling pathways in primary NK cells, triggering the production of cytokines and chemokines. Binding of ULBPs ligands to NKG2D encourages calcium mobilization and activation of the JAK2, STAT5, ERK and PI3K kinase/Akt signal transduction pathway. In CMV infected cells, ULBP2 cooperates with soluble CMV glycoprotein UL16. This cooperation is blocked with the NKG2D receptor, providing a mechanism in which CMV infected cells can escape the immune system. Additionally, UL16 causes ULBP2 to be held in the ER and cis-Golgi apparatus so that it does not reach the cell surface.

UCK1 is a uridine-cytidine kinase which catalyzes the phosphorylation of uridine and cytidine to uridine monophosphate and cytidine monophosphate. UCK1 does not phosphorylate deoxyribonucleosides or purine ribonucleosides. UCK1 is also phosphorylates uridine and cytidine analogs and uses ATP and GTP as a phosphate donor.

UFC1 is a member of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family. UFC1 is an E2-like conjugating enzyme for ubiquitin-fold modifier-1. UFM1 is activated by UBA5 (a novel E1-like enzyme) by forming a high-energy thioester bond. Activated UFM1 is subsequently transferred to its cognate E2-like enzyme, UFC1, in a similar thioester linkage.

UCHL1 (PGP9.5) belongs to a gene family whose products hydrolyze small C-terminal adducts of ubiquitin to produce the ubiquitin monomer. Protein Gene Product (PGP9.5) is a neuron specific protein, structurally and immunologically distinct from neuron specific enolase. Human UCHL1 and UCHL3 have an extremely complicated knot structure for a protein, with five knot crossings. It is considered that the knot structure may increase a protein's resistance to degradation in the proteasome.
The protein, which has a molecular weight of 27 kDa was first defined by high resolution two dimetional PAGE. Standard immunohistochemical techniques have demonstrated the presence of PGP9.5 in neurons and nerve fibers at all levels of the central and peripheral nervous system, in many neurodcrine cells, in segments of the renal tubules, in spermatogonia and leydig cells of the testis, in ova and in some cells of both the pregnant and non pregnant corpus luteum. A point mutation (I93M) in UCHL1 is implicated as the cause of Parkinson's disease in one kindred. On the other hand, a polymorphism (S18Y) in UCHL1 has been found to be associated with a reduced risk for Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, UCHL1 is associated with the Alzheimer's disease, and required for normal synaptic and cognitive function.

Uromodulin (Tamm–Horsfall protein) is produced mainly by cells in the kidney’s thick ascending limb and is the most abundant protein in normal urine.
Uromodulin takes part in salt and water regulation, helps prevent urinary tract infections and kidney stones, and influences inflammation and immune activity in the kidney.
Reduced Uromodulin levels is associated with chronic kidney disease.
UMOD mutations causes unproper protein folding and thus transported incorrectly, resulting in its accumulation inside kidney tubular cells that damages the tubules and cause kidney disease (ADTKD-UMOD), associated with high uric acid, gout, and progressive kidney failure.

ULBP1 together with at least ULBP2 and ULBP3, is ligand for the NKG2D receptor. ULBPs stimulate various signaling pathways in primary NK cells, which result in cytokines and chemokines production. In CMV infected cells, ULBP1 cooperates with soluble CMV glycoprotein UL16 to inhibit the interaction with the NKG2D receptor providing a mechanism by which CMV infected cells escape the immune system. Additionally, UL16 retains ULBP1 to the ER and cis-Golgi apparatus to prevent it from reaching cell surface.

ULBP1 together with at least ULBP2 and ULBP3, is ligand for the NKG2D receptor. ULBPs stimulate various signaling pathways in primary NK cells, which result in cytokines and chemokines production. In CMV infected cells, ULBP1 cooperates with soluble CMV glycoprotein UL16 to inhibit the interaction with the NKG2D receptor providing a mechanism by which CMV infected cells escape the immune system. Additionally, UL16 retains ULBP1 to the ER and cis-Golgi apparatus to prevent it from reaching cell surface.

Uromodulin is the most abundant protein in normal urine. Its secretion in urine follows proteolytic cleavage of the ectodomain of its glycosyl phosphatidylinosital-anchored counterpart that is situated on the luminal cell surface of the loop of Henle. Uromodulin plays a role as a constitutive inhibitor of calcium crystallization in renal fluids. Secretion of uromodulin in urine provides protection against urinary tract infections caused by uropathogenic bacteria. Defects in Uromodulin expression are associated with the autosomal dominant renal disorders medullary cystic kidney disease-2 (MCKD2) and familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy (FJHN). These disorders are characterized by juvenile onset of hyperuricemia, gout, and progressive renal failure. While several transcript variants may exist for this gene, the full-length natures of only two have been described to date. UMOD is involved in regulating the circulating activity of cytokines as it binds to il-1, il-2 and tnf with high affinity.

Podoplanin is a small mucin-like type-1 transmembrane protein, typically expressed in various specialized cell types throughout the body. Podoplanin is a type-I integral membrane glycoprotein with diverse distribution in human tissues. PDPN physiological function is related to its mucin-type character. The homologous protein in other species has been described as a differentiation antigen and influenza-virus receptor.
PDPN is expressed in lymphatic progenitor cells and afterwards during mouse development in lymphatic endothelial cells. Podoplanin is a specific marker for lymph vessel endothelial cells. Over-expression of podoplanin significantly elevates endothelial cell adhesion, migration, and tube formation. Inhibition of Podoplanin expression decreases cell adhesion in human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. Podoplanin is used as a specific marker for lymphatic endothelium in histopathology.
Podoplanin expression is increased in nearly all human colon, rectum, and small intestine tumors. AGGRUS may serve as a diagnostic marker that distinguishes seminomas, the majority of which over express the protein, from embryonal carcinoma in testicular germ cell tumors.

UBE2D2 belongs to the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family. UBE2D2 takes part in the ubiquitination of the tumor-suppressor protein p53, which is induced by an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. UBE2D2 catalyzes ubiquitination of IkB-alpha in a SCFB-TRCP and phosphorylation dependent method.

Uridine 5'-monophosphate synthase (UMPS), is a bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the ultimate two steps of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway. UMPS in eukaryotes links the orotate phosphoribosyltransferase and the orotidine-5’-monophosphate (OMP) decarboxylase activities into a single protein. The harmony of these 2 enzymes is assumed to be stabilized the catalytic centers as a result of the low molar concentration of the protein in mammalian cells. Mutations in UMPS are the reason of inherited orotic aciduria disease.

UBE2E3 or Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 E3 is part of the E2 ubiquitinconjugating enzyme family. UBE2E3 is needed for the destruction of mitotic cyclins and for cell cycle progression. The ubiquitination process covalently attaches to a short protein of 76 amino acids called ubiquitin, to a lysine residue on the target protein. When a protein has been tagged with one ubiquitin molecule, other rounds of ubiquitination form a polyubiquitin chain that is recognized by the proteasome's 19S regulatory particle, triggering the ATP-dependent unfolding of the target protein which grants passage into the proteasome's 20S core particle, where proteases degrade the target into short peptide fragments for recycling by the cell.

Uridine 5'-monophosphate synthase (UMPS), is a bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the ultimate two steps of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway. UMPS in eukaryotes links the orotate phosphoribosyltransferase and the orotidine-5’-monophosphate (OMP) decarboxylase activities into a single protein. The harmony of these 2 enzymes is assumed to be stabilized the catalytic centers as a result of the low molar concentration of the protein in mammalian cells.mutations in this gene are the reason of inherited orotic aciduria disease.

Epiregulin is part of the EGF family. Epiregulin functions as a ligand of EGFR, as well as a ligand of most members of the ERBB (v-erb-b2 oncogene homolog) family of tyrosine-kinase receptors.Epiregulin is expressed mostly in the placenta and peripheral blood leukocytes and in specific carcinomas of the bladder, lung, kidney and colon. Epiregulin stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes, hepatocytes, fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells. Epiregulin inhibits the growth of several tumor-derived epithelial cell lines. Human Epiregulin is initially synthesized as a glycosylated 19.0 kDa transmembrane precursor protein, which is processed by proteolytic cleavage to produce a 6.0 kDa mature secreted sequence.

Uteroglobin (SCGB1A1) which belongs to the Secretoglobin (SCGBs) superfamily, is a multifunctional protein that exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic effects by binding small hydrophobic molecules such as phospholipids and prostaglandins. Uteroglobin is involved in numerous functions including anti-inflammation, inhibition of phospholipase A2 and the sequestering of hydrophobic ligands. SCGB1A1 is expressed by Clara cells, the non-ciliated, non-mucous secretory cells predominant in lung bronchioles, and by other epithelia which communicate with the external environment. On top of sequestering pro-inflammatory mediators and carcinogens, Uteroglobin is implicated in the inhibition of cell migration and invasion, platelet aggregation, and T cell differentiation. SCGB1A1 gene defects are associated with a susceptibility to asthma.

Ubiquitin Carboxyl-Terminal Esterase L1 (UCHL1) is a part of a family whose products hydrolyze small C-terminal adducts of ubiquitin to create the ubiquitin monomer. UCHL1 is a part of the ubiquitin system, which regulates many biological activities. UCHL1 is a thiol protease that distinguishes and hydrolyzes a peptide bond at the C-terminal glycine of ubiquitin. UCHL1 binds to free monoubiquitin and avoids its degradation in lysosomes.

UL16 Binding Protein 3 (ULBP3) is a ligand for the NKG2D receptor in NK cells. ULBPs activate different signaling pathways resulting in the production of cytokines and chemokines. ULBP3 is a ligand for the KLRK1/NKG2D receptor, along with at least ULBP1 and ULBP2. Binding of ULBPs ligands to KLRK1/NKG2D stimulates calcium mobilization and activation of the JAK2, STAT5, ERK and PI3K kinase/Akt signal transduction pathway. ULBP3 has lower affinity for KLRK1/NKG2D compared to ULBP1 and ULBP2 and stimulates weaker signaling responses than does ULBP2 or ULBP1.

Ubiquitously-expressed transcript (UXT) is a member of the UXT family. UXT serves as a cofactor which modulates androgen receptor-dependent transcription, and also has a crucial role in tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis. UXT gene expression has a role in tumorigenesis. UXT is ubiquitous expressed: it is expressed in prostate epithelial cells, overexpressed in a number of tumor tissues. The highest levels are found in the heart, skeletal muscle, pancreas, kidney, liver, adrenal gland, peripheral blood leukocytes, lymph node, prostate, and thyroid and the lowest levels in bladder and uterus.

Uteroglobin (SCGB1A1) which belongs to the Secretoglobin (SCGBs) superfamily, is a multifunctional protein that exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic effects by binding small hydrophobic molecules such as phospholipids and prostaglandins. Uteroglobin is involved in numerous functions including anti-inflammation, inhibition of phospholipase A2 and the sequestering of hydrophobic ligands. SCGB1A1 is expressed by Clara cells, the non-ciliated, non-mucous secretory cells predominant in lung bronchioles, and by other epithelia which communicate with the external environment. On top of sequestering pro-inflammatory mediators and carcinogens, Uteroglobin is implicated in the inhibition of cell migration and invasion, platelet aggregation, and T cell differentiation. SCGB1A1 gene defects are associated with a susceptibility to asthma.

SELPLG glycoprotein functions as a high affinity counter-receptor for the cell adhesion selectin molecules (P, E and L) located in stimulated T lymphocytes and myeloid cells. SELPLG binds leukocytes to activated platelets or endothelia expressing selectins, a vital role in leukocyte trafficking throughout inflammation. In order to have a high-affinity binding activity SELPLG needs two post-translational modifications, tyrosine sulfation and the addition of the sialyl Lewis x tetrasaccharide (sLex) to its O-linked glycans. Polymorphisms and abnormal expression of SELPLG are linked to defects in the innate and adaptive immune response. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants.

Follistatin is a single-chain gonadal protein that specifically inhibits follicle-stimulating hormone release. The single FST gene encodes two isoforms, FST317 and FST344 containing 317 and 344 amino acids respectively, resulting from alternative splicing of the precursor mRNA. In a study in which 37 candidate genes were tested for linkage and association with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hyperandrogenemia in 150 families, evidence was found for linkage between PCOS and follistatin. Follistatin functions as an ACTV antagonist. specific inhibitor of the biosynthesis and secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (fsh).

Epiregulin is part of the EGF family. Epiregulin functions as a ligand of EGFR, as well as a ligand of most members of the ERBB (v-erb-b2 oncogene homolog) family of tyrosine-kinase receptors.Epiregulin is expressed mostly in the placenta and peripheral blood leukocytes and in specific carcinomas of the bladder, lung, kidney and colon. Epiregulin stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes, hepatocytes, fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells. Epiregulin inhibits the growth of several tumor-derived epithelial cell lines. Human Epiregulin is initially synthesized as a glycosylated 19.0 kDa transmembrane precursor protein, which is processed by proteolytic cleavage to produce a 6.0 kDa mature secreted sequence.

UFM1 is a ubiquitin-like protein which is conjugated to target proteins by E1-like activating enzyme UBA5 and E2-like conjugating enzyme UFC1 in a manner equivalent to ubiquitylation. UFM1 localizes principally to the nucleus, but is also present in diffuse amounts in the cytoplasm. UFM1 is expressed in a variety of tissues, including kidney, brain, heart, liver and lung.