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Caspase 3 Apoptosis-Related Cysteine Peptidase (CASP3) belongs to the cysteine-aspartic acid protease (caspase) family. Sequential activation of caspases plays a key role in the execution-phase of cell apoptosis. Caspases exist as inactive proenzymes which undergo proteolytic processing at conserved aspartic residues to generate 2 subunits, large and small, that dimerize to create the active enzyme. CASP3 protein cleaves and activates caspases 6, 7 and 9, and the protein itself is processed by caspases 8, 9 and 10. CASP3 is the leading caspase involved in the cleavage of amyloid-beta 4A precursor protein, which is linked with neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease. In addition, CASP3 is involved in the cleavage of huntingtin. CASP3 also cleaves and activates sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) between the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper domain and the membrane attachment domain. CASP3 initiates cell adhesion in sympathetic neurons through RET cleavage.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 7 (CEACAM7) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, CEA family. CEACAM7 contains 1 Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain and 1 Ig-like V-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain. CEACAM7 is intensely down-regulated in colonic adenocarcinomas.

CRYGD is a member of the beta/gamma-crystallin family. Crystallins are the principal structural components of the vertebrate eye lens. The mammalian lens crystallins are divided into alpha, beta, and gamma families. Gamma-crystallins are involved in cataract formation. Defects in the CRYGD gene are responsible for cataract autosomal dominant (ADC), cataract congenital non-nuclear polymorphic autosomal dominant (CCP), cataract congenital cerulean type 3 (CCA3) and cataract crystalline aculeiform (CACA).

ANXA5 is a member of the annexin family of calcium-dependent phospholipid binding proteins which are involved in membrane-related activity along exocytotic and endocytotic pathways. ANXA5 is a phospholipase A2 and protein kinase C inhibitory protein with calcium channel properties and takes part in cellular signal transduction, inflammation, growth and differentiation. ANXA5 is an anticoagulant protein that acts as an indirect inhibitor of the thromboplastin-specific complex, which is involved in the blood coagulation cascade. ANXA5 regulates coagulability in the blood stream by binding to phosphatidylserine and sulfatide. ANXA5 protects sinsuoidal endothelial cells from ischemia reperfusion damage. ANXA5 is necessary for normal CFTR chloride channel activity.

CRADD is a 22kDa, widely-expressed cytosolic adaptor/signaling protein that induces cell apoptosis/cell death in numerous tissues. CRADD is a death domain (CARD) that recruits, caspase 2/ICH1 to the cell death signal transduction complex that includes TNFR1A, RIPK1/RIP kinase, and numbers of other CARD domain-containing proteins.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNA virus 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).

Cyclophilin-E is a member of the peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) family. PPIases catalyze the cis-trans isomerization of proline imidic peptide bonds in oligopeptides and speeds up the protein folding. Cyclophilin-E contains a highly conserved cyclophilin domain in addition to a RNA-binding domain. Cyclophilin-E exhibits PPIase activity, protein folding activities and possess RNA-binding activity. Cyclophilin-E contains 2 RNA binding domains at the N-terminal region and a PPIase domain at the C-terminal region.

Granzyme H also known as GZMH belongs to the peptidase S1 family. GZMH is an essential part for HBV eradication. The HBx protein, which is required for the replication of HBV, is cleaved at Met(79) by GZMH. Furthermore, GZMH inhibitor can abolish GZNH- as well as lymphokine-activated killer cell-mediated HBx degradation and HBV clearance. A HBx-deficient HBV is resistant to GzmH- in addition to lymphokine-activated killer cell-mediated viral clearance.

Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) belongs to the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family, which includes proteases that process protein and peptide precursors trafficking via regulated or constitutive branches of the secretory pathway. PCSK9 protein goes through an autocatalytic processing event with its prosegment in the ER and is constitutively secreted as an inactive protease into the extracellular matrix and trans-Golgi network. PCSK9 is expressed in the liver, intestine and kidney tissues and escorts specific receptors for lysosomal degradation. PCSK has a role in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism. PCSK9 gene mutations are linked with autosomal dominant familial hypercholesterolemia.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 isoform 1, STAT3, ADMIO, DMIO1, APRF, HIES.

Avidin is a tetrameric protein of 4 identical subunits (homotetramer) which can bind to biotin with a high degree of affinity and specificity. The estimated molecular weight of Avidin in its tetrameric form is between 66-69 kDa. Avidin is produced in the oviducts of birds, reptiles and amphibians and is subsequently deposited in the whites of their eggs. In the chicken egg white, avidin makes up roughly 0.05% of total protein (approximately 1.8 mg per egg). 10% of Avidin’s molecular weight is ascribed to carbohydrate content which is composed of 4-5 mannose and 3 N-acetylglucosamine residues. Avidin has at least three distinctive oligosaccharide structural type which are similar in structure and composition. The dissociation constant (KD) of avidin is approximately 10-15M, making it one of the strongest known non-covalent bonds.

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.

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.

Kallikrein-3 (KLK3) is a part of the kallikrein-related peptidase family. Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases having various physiological functions. Numerous kallikreins take part in carcinogenesis and some may be prospective cancer and other disease biomarkers. Kallikrein-3 is 1 of the 15 kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19 and is a protease present in seminal plasma. KLK3 hydrolyzes semenogelin-1 consequently leading to the liquefaction of the seminal coagulum. KLK3 acts normally in the liquefaction of seminal coagulum, probably by hydrolysis of the high molecular mass seminal vesicle protein. Serum level of the KLK3 protein, called PSA in the clinical setting, is beneficial in the diagnosis and monitoring of prostatic carcinoma.

Dendritic cell and monocyte chemokinelike protein (DMC/CXCL17/VEGF-correlated chemokine 1/VCC1), is a secreted molecule with a size and predicted 3-dimensional folding pattern similar to that of chemokines CXCL8/IL8 and CXCL14/BRAK. CXCL17 is constitutively generated by airway and intestinal epithelium. CXCL17 induces the chemotaxis of quiescent, but not LPS-activated peripheral blood monocytes and dendritic cells, and it also binds these cells specifically. The expression of CXCL17 is increased in endothelial cells when they are induced to form tubes in vitro. CXCL17, CXCL1/GRO and CXCL8/IL8 which have roles in angiogenesis, show significantly correlated expression with that of VEGF in primary lung, breast and esophageal tumors. Therefore, CXCL17 is suggested to have a role in tumor angiogenesis. The mature Rat CXCL17 shares 82%, 71% amino acid sequence identity with mouse, human CXCL17, respectively.

Decorin (DCN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which is closely related in structure to biglycan protein. Decorin is a secreted protein which binds to collagen and fibronectin in extracellular matrix. Decorin appears in different glycoforms, substituted with chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate consistent with the original tissue. DCN contains one attached glycosaminoglycan chain. Decorin influences the rate of fibril formation. Decorin is capable of suppressing the growth of various tumor cell lines. DCN gene defects cause corneal dystrophy. The DCN gene is a candidate gene for Marfan syndrome.

PFDN4 belongs to the prefoldin beta subunit family. PFDN4 is a heterohexameric chaperone protein that can capture unfolded actin and is a possible transcription factor. Six prefoldin polypeptides, prefoldin 1-6, are known.

CNTF is a polypeptide hormone whose actions appear to be restricted to the nervous system where it promotes neurotransmitter synthesis and neurite outgrowth in certain neuronal populations. The protein is a potent survival factor for neurons and oligodendrocytes and may be relevant in reducing tissue destruction during inflammatory attacks. A mutation in this gene, which results in aberrant splicing, leads to ciliary neurotrophic factor deficiency, but this phenotype is not causally related to neurologic disease. In addition to the predominant monocistronic transcript originating from this locus, the gene is also co-transcribed with the upstream ZFP91 gene. Co-transcription from the two loci results in a transcript that contains a complete coding region for the zinc finger protein but lacks a complete coding region for ciliary neurotrophic factor.
CNTF is a survival factor for various neuronal cell types. Seems to prevent the degeneration of motor axons after axotomy.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 14 (CCL14) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family. It is also commonly known as HCC-1. It is produced as a protein precursor that is procesed to generate a mature active protein containing 74 amino acids that and is 46% identical in amino acid composition to CCL3 and CCL4. This chemokine is expressed in various tissues including spleen, bone marrow, liver, muscle, and gut. CCL13 activates monocytes, but does not induce their chemotaxis. Human CCL13 is located on chromosome 17 within a cluster of other chemokines belonging to the CC family.

Syntaxin is membrane integrated Q-SNARE protein participating in exocytosis. Syntaxin is composed of an N-terminal regulatory domain (Habc), a SNARE domain (known as H3), and a single C-terminal transmembrane domain. The SNARE (H3) domain binds to both synaptobrevin and SNAP-25 forming the core SNARE complex. Synaptic vesicles store neurotransmitters that are released during calcium-regulated exocytosis. The specificity of neurotransmitter release requires the localization of both synaptic vesicles and calcium channels to the presynaptic active zone. Syntaxins function in this vesicle fusion process. Syntaxins also serve as a substrate for botulinum neurotoxin type C, a metalloprotease that blocks exocytosis and has high affinity for a molecular complex that includes the alpha-latrotoxin receptor which produces exocytosis.

CDC123 is a member of the CDC123 family. CDC123is required for S phase entry of the cell cycle. It is also broadly expressed in spleen,thymus, prostate, testis, ovary, small intestine, colon and leukocytes with the uppermost expression in testis.

CPPED1 which is a part of the metallophosphoesterase superfamily takes part in glucose uptake by adipocytes. CPPED1 binds two divalent metal cations and is transactivated by the great envelope protein of the hepatitis B virus.

Thymosin is a hormone secreted from the thymus. Its primary function is to stimulate the production of T cells, which are an important part of the immune system. Thymosin also assists in the development of B cells to plasma cells to produce antibodies. The predominant form of thymosin, thymosin b4, is a member of a highly conserved family of actin monomer-sequestering proteins. b-thymosins are the primary regulators of unpolymerized actin, and are essential for maintaining the small cytoplasmic pool of free G-actin monomers required for rapid filament elongation and allowing for the flux of monomers between the thymosin-bound pool and F-actin.

Insulin decreases blood glucose concentration. Insulin increases cell permeability to monosaccharides, amino acids and fatty acids. Insulin accelerates glycolysis, the pentose phosphate cycle, and glycogen synthesis in liver.