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IHH belongs to the hedgehog family of secreted signaling molecules. Hedgehog proteins are vital regulators of various developmental processes including growth, patterning and morphogenesis. The vertebrate homologues of Hh comprise several proteins including sonic hedgehog (Shh), Indian hedgehog (Ihh), and Desert hedgehog (Dhh). IHH has a specific role in bone growth and differentiation. In addition, IHH is involved in yolk sac vasculogenesis, having a central role in differentiation of epiblast cells into endothelial and red blood cells. IHH mRNA expression is detected in fetal lung, gut, stomach, liver, kidney, pancreas and strongly in cartilage in growth regions of the developing bone. IHH gene mutations cause the brachydactyly type A1 which is characterized by shortening or malformation of the phalanges and also the acrocapitofemoral dysplasia.

Neuropilin 1 (Nrp1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein which functions as a co-receptor for several extracellular ligands including class III/IV semaphorins, some isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor beta. Nrp1 binds vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and is believed to serve as a coreceptor for kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) by connecting with KDR and enhancing VEGF signaling. Nrp1 is a marker of regulatory T cells.

IL3 is a potent growth promoting cytokine. This cytokine is capable of supporting the proliferation of a broad range of hematopoietic cell types. It is involved in a variety of cell activities such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. This cytokine has been shown to also possess neurotrophic activity, and it may be associated with neurologic disorders.

Pyridoxal phosphate phosphatase PHOSPHO2, orphan 2 (PHOSPHO2) is a member of the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily. Phosphatase has an elevated activity toward phosphoethanolamine (PEA) and phosphocholine (PCho). PHOSPHO 1, a phosphoethanolamine/phosphocholine phosphatase, is upregulated in mineralizing cells and is believed to be implicated in the production of inorganic phosphate for bone mineralization. PHOSPHO2 is a recognized phosphatase sharing a 42% sequence identity with PHOSPHO1. PHOSPHO1 and PHOSPHO2 are especially similar, however surprisingly recombinant PHOSPHO2 hydrolyses phosphoethanolamine and phosphocholine comparatively inadequately.

Phosphoglucomutase-1 also known as PGM1 is a member of the phosphohexose mutase family. There are more than a few PGM isozymes, which catalyze the transfer of phosphate between the 1&6positions of glucose. In nearly all cell types, PGM1 isozymes predominate, representing around 90% of total PGM activity.It has been found that defects in PGM1 are the cause of glycogen storage disease type 14.

Interleukin-1 ra is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. This protein inhibits the activities of interleukin 1, alpha (IL1A) and interleukin 1, beta (IL1B), and modulates a variety of interleukin 1 related immune and inflammatory responses. This gene and five other closely related cytokine genes form a gene cluster spanning approximately 400 kb on chromosome 2. A polymorphism of this gene is reported to be associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and gastric cancer. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

Interleukin-1 ra is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. This protein inhibits the activities of interleukin 1, alpha (IL1A) and interleukin 1, beta (IL1B), and modulates a variety of interleukin 1 related immune and inflammatory responses. This gene and five other closely related cytokine genes form a gene cluster spanning approximately 400 kb on chromosome 2. A polymorphism of this gene is reported to be associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and gastric cancer. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

Casein kinase 2 subunit alpha (CSNK2A2) controls numerous cellular processes, such as cell cycle progression, apoptosis and transcription, as well as viral infection. CSNK2A2 protein functions as a regulatory node which integrates and coordinates numerous signals leading to an appropriate cellular response.

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.

RAN Binding Protein 3, also known as RANBP3, is found in the nucleus and cytoplasm. RANBP3 which owns RanBD1 domain participates in nuclear export as part of a heteromeric complex. RANBP3 is also negatively regulates TGF-beta signaling by interacting with the R-SMAD proteins, SMAD2 and SMAD3.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the sn-2 position of membrane glycerophospholipids to liberate arachidonic acid (AA), a precursor of eicosanoids including prostaglandins and leukotrienes. The same reaction also produces lysophosholipids, which represent another class of lipid mediators.
The secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) family, in which 10 isozymes have been identified, consists of low molecular weight, Ca2+-requiring secretory enzymes that have been implicated in a number of biological processes, such as modification of eicosanoid generation, inflammation, and host defense.
This enzyme has been proposed to hydrolyze phosphatidylcholine (PC) in lipoproteins to liberate lyso- PC and free fatty acids in the arterial wall, thereby facilitating the accumulation of bioactive lipids and modified lipoproteins in atherosclerotic foci.
In mice, sPLA2 expression significantly influences HDL particle size and composition and demonstrate that an induction of sPLA2 is required for the decrease in plasma HDL cholesterol in response to inflammatory stimuli. Instillation of bacteria into the bronchi was associated with surfactant degradation and a decrease in large: small ratio of surfactant aggregates in rats.

IL4 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by activated T cells. IL4 is a ligand for interleukin 4 receptor. The interleukin 4 receptor also binds to IL13, which may contribute to many overlapping functions of this cytokine and IL13. STAT6, a signal transducer and activator of transcription, has been shown to play a central role in mediating the immune regulatory signal of this cytokine. This gene, IL3, IL5, IL13, and CSF2 form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5q, with this gene particularly close to IL13. IL4, IL13 and IL5 are found to be regulated coordinately by several long-range regulatory elements in an over 120 kilobase range on the chromosome. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

Prolactin is a lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis .Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation.Prolactin has been shown also to have cytokine-like activities and to have important immunoregulatory activities. It contributes to the development of lymphoid tissues and the maintenance of physiological immune function and also modulates a variety of T-cell immune responses. Prolactin has been reported to activate cellular proliferation in nonreproductive tissue, such as liver, spleen, and thymus. It induces significant proliferation in aortic smooth muscle cells and also enhances proliferation of these cells induced by PDGF . Prolactin also appears to be directly mitogenic for pancreatic beta cells. Prolactin is also mitogenic for cultured astrocytes.

Interleukin-1b is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by a wide variety of cell types including monocytes and macrophages. It displays a broad range of biological activity including activation of B and T cells in response to inflammation and the activation of endothelial cells.

Transcription Factor B2, Mitochondrial (TFB2M) is an S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferase which specifically dimethylates mitochondrial 12S rRNA at the conserved stem loop. In addition, TFB2M is essential for basal transcription of mitochondrial DNA, most likely via its interaction with POLRMT and TFAM. TFB2M promotes transcription independently of the methyltransferase activity. TFB2M like TFB1M, activates transcription of mitochondrial DNA more effectively, whilst having less methyltransferase activity.

GH is a member of the somatotropin/prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the growth hormone locus on chromosome 17 where they are interspersed in the same transcriptional orientation; an arrangement which is thought to have evolved by a series of gene duplications. The five genes share a remarkably high degree of sequence identity. Alternative splicing generates additional isoforms of each of the five growth hormones, leading to further diversity and potential for specialization. This particular family member is expressed in the pituitary but not in placental tissue as is the case for the other four genes in the growth hormone locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to growth hormone deficiency and short stature.

CD68 encodes a 110-kD transmembrane glycoprotein that is highly expressed by human monocytes and tissue macrophages. It is a member of the lysosomal/endosomal-associated membrane glycoprotein (LAMP) family. The protein primarily localizes to lysosomes and endosomes with a smaller fraction circulating to the cell surface. It is a type I integral membrane protein with a heavily glycosylated extracellular domain and binds to tissue- and organ-specific lectins or selectins. The protein is also a member of the scavenger receptor family. Scavenger receptors typically function to clear cellular debris, promote phagocytosis, and mediate the recruitment and activation of macrophages. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcripts encoding different isoforms.

Growth arrest and DNA Damage-Inducible Protein (GADD45A) binds both Cdks and PCNA. GADD45A is involved in DNA replication and repair. GADD45A stimulates DNA excision repair in vitro and inhibits entry of cells into S phase. GADD45A may serve as a link between p53-dependent cell cycle checkpoint and DNA repair. The GADD45A gene belongs to a group of genes whose transcript levels are increased following stressful growth arrest conditions and treatment with DNA-damaging agents. GADD45A responds to environmental stresses by mediating activation of the p38/JNK pathway via MTK1/MEKK4 kinase. GADD45A binds to proliferating cell nuclear antigen.

Glycerol dehydrogenase (GldA) catalyzes the NAD-dependent oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone (glycerone). The GldA protein allows microorganisms to use glycerol as a source of carbon under anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, in E.coli GldA has an imperative role by regulating the intracellular level of dihydroxyacetone by catalyzing the reverse reaction, i.e. the conversion of dihydroxyacetone into glycerol. GldA possesses an extensive substrate specificity, due to its ability to oxidize 1,2-propanediol and to reduce glycolaldehyde, methylglyoxal and hydroxyacetone into ethylene glycol, lactaldehyde and 1,2-propanediol, respectively.

TNFRSF14, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is a type I transmembrane protein. TNFRSF14 is expressed in peripheral blood T cells, B cells, monocytes and in various tissues enriched in lymphoid cells. TNFRSF14 operates as a co-stimulatory factor for the activation of lymphoid cells and as a deterrent to infection by herpesvirus. Additionally, TNFRSF14 encourages the proliferation of T cells, and triggers apoptosis of various tumor cells.

DUSP21 is a member of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase family. DUSPs inactivate their target kinases by dephosphorylating both the phosphoserine/threonine and phosphotyrosine residuesb. DUSP21 is able to dephosphorylate single and diphosphorylated synthetic MAPK peptides, favoring the phosphotyrosine and diphosphorylated forms over phosphothreonine. DUSP21 is only expressed in testis where there are dephosphorylated phosphotyrosine residues in MAPK peptides.

Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor, Clade B Member 3, also known as SERPINB3 is a papain-like cysteine protease inhibitor which modulates the host immune response versus tumor cells. SERPINB3 is a protein coding gene which acts as an inhibitor of UV-induced apoptosis by suppressing the activity of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK1).

Prolactin is a neuroendocrine hormone synthesized primarily by the pituitary gland but also a variety of other cell types including the placenta, brain and uterus. Its primary function is to promote and maintain lactation but has also been shown to have a role in breast cancer development, regulation of reproductive function and immunoregulation.