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Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least eighteen structurally realted proteins that are involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cell growth, differentation, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family if type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. Four distinct genes encoding closely related FGF receptors, FGFR-1to -4 are known. Multiple forms of FGFR-1 to -3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGFR-1 and -2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the alpha isoform, or only IgII and IgIII, referred to as the ? isoform. Only the alpha isoform has been identified for FGFR-3 and FGFR-4. Additional splicing events for FGFR-1 to -3, involving the C-terminal half of the IgIII domain encoded by two mutually exclusive alternative exons, generate FGF receptors with alternative IgIII domains (IIIb and IIIc). A IIIa isoform which is a secreted FGF binding protein containing only the N-terminal half of the IgIII domain plus some intron sequences has also been reported for FGFR-1. Mutations in FGFR-1 to -3 have been found in patients with birth defects involving craniosynostosis.

GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1) belongs to the GDNF receptor family. GFRA1 is a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol(GPI)-linked cell surface receptor for both Glial cell line-derived growth factor (GDNF), neurturin (NTN), and mediates activation of the RET tyrosine kinase receptor. The GFRA1 protein is a potent survival factor for central and peripheral neurons, and is vital for the development of kidneys and the enteric nervous system.

TSG101 is a member of apparently inactive homologs of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes. TSG101 contains a coiled-coil domain that interacts with stathmin, a cytosolic phosphoprotein implicated in tumorigenesis. TSG101 is involved in cell growth and differentiation and acts as a negative growth regulator. TSG101 in vitro steady-state expression is important for maintenance of genomic stability and cell cycle regulation. TSG101 mutations and alternative splicing occur in high rate in breast cancer and implicate that defects occur during breast cancer tumorigenesis and/or progression. TSG101 is a factor of the ESCRT-I complex, a monitor of vesicular trafficking process. TSG101 binds to ubiquitinated cargo proteins and is needed for the sorting of endocytic ubiquitinated cargos into multivesicular bodies. TSG101 is needed for completion of cytokinesis and is involved in cell growth and differentiation.

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.

IGFBP6 plays a role in lipoprotein assembly and dietary cholesterol absorption. in addition to its acyltransferase activity, it may act as a ligase. may provide cholesteryl esters for lipoprotein secretion from hepatocytes and intestinal mucosa.

Dysbindin domain-containing protein 1 (DBNDD1) is a member of the dysbindin family.

DDB1-and CUL4-associated factor (DCAF7) is involved in craniofacial development. The DCAF7 protein acts upstream of the EDN1 pathway and is essential for formation of the upper jaw equivalent, the palatoquadrate. The activity necessary for the EDN1 pathway function varies between the first and second arches. DCAF7 associates with DIAPH1 and controls GLI1 transcriptional activity. DCAF7 may be involved in normal and diseased skin development.

HPGD is the essential enzyme of prostaglandin degradation. 15-PGDH protein strongly decreases the biologic activity of these molecules by catalyzing the oxidation of the 15-hydroxyl group of prostaglandins to a keto group. GDH1 is involved in numerous physiologic and cellular processes, for instance inflammation.

ADP-ribosylation factor 3 (ARF3) belongs to the human ARF gene family. This family encodes small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins which stimulate the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of cholera toxin and have a role in vesicular trafficking and as activators of phospholipase D. ARF3 functions as an allosteric activator of the cholera toxin catalytic subunit, an ADP-ribosyltransferase. ARF3 is involved in protein trafficking; may modulate vesicle budding and uncoating within the Golgi apparatus. The ARF3 gene is comprised of 5 exons and 4 introns.

Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 39, also known as ARHGEF39, is a protein coding gene which owns one DH (DBL-homology) domain and one PH domain. ARHGEF39 encourages cell proliferation.

GH is a member of the prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the GH 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 GHs, 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 GH locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to GH deficiency and short stature.

GDNF Family Receptor Alpha 3 (GFRA3) belongs to the GDNF receptor family. GFRA3 creates a signaling receptor complex with RET tyrosine kinase receptor and binds the ligand, artemin (ARTN).

NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 5 (NDUFA5) is a member of the complex I NDUFA5 subunit family. The human NDUFA5 gene codes for the B13 subunit of complex I of the respiratory chain that transfers electrons from NADH to ubiquinone. The NDUFA5 protein localizes to the inner mitochondrial membrane as part of the seven component-containing, water soluble 'iron-sulfur protein' (IP) fraction of complex I, even though its exact role is undetermined.

Diphthamide biosynthesis protein 2 (DPH2) is a homodimer and each of its monomers can bind a [4Fe-4S] cluster. DPH2 is the target of ADP ribosylating diphtheria toxin (DT) and Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE). DPH2 was identified by its ability to complement a diphthamide mutant strain, and thus serves in diphthamide biosynthesis. The loss of DPH2 pre-activates NF-kB and death receptor pathways and renders MCF7 cells hypersensitive to tumor necrosis factor.

Dual Specificity Phosphatase 6, also known as DUSP6 belongs to the dual specificity protein phosphatase subfamily. DUSP6 is a Protein coding gene which inactivates MAP kinases. Various members of the family of dual specificity phosphatases show diverse tissue distribution, subcellular localization, and different modes of inducibility of their expression by extracellular stimuli.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 3 (BMP3) is one of the BMPs, some of which are members of the TGF-beta superfamily (BMP2-7). There are more than 13 BMPs, which are involved in inducing cartilage and bone formation, embryogenesis and morphogenesis of various tissues and organs. In addition, BMPs regulate the growth, differentiation, chemotaxis, and apoptosis of various cell types. Akin to most other TGF-beta family proteins, BMPs are extremely conserved across animal species. At the amino acid sequence level, mature human and rat BMP3 are 98% identical.

Platelet factor-4 is a 70-amino acid protein that is released from the alpha-granules of activated platelets and binds with high affinity to heparin. Its major physiologic role appears to be neutralization of heparin-like molecules on the endothelial surface of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting local antithrombin III activity and promoting coagulation. As a strong chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts, PF4 probably has a role in inflammation and wound repair. Oncostatin-A is a member of the CXC chemokine family. Human PF4 is used for the proof of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Furthermore it is used as an inhibitor in the angiogenesis during tumor therapy.

GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1) belongs to the GDNF receptor family. GFRA1 is a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol(GPI)-linked cell surface receptor for both Glial cell line-derived growth factor (GDNF), neurturin (NTN), and mediates activation of the RET tyrosine kinase receptor. The GFRA1 protein is a potent survival factor for central and peripheral neurons, and is vital for the development of kidneys and the enteric nervous system.

Cell division protein kinase 5 (CDK5) belongs to the cyclin-dependent kinase family. CDK5 is essential for appropriate development of the brain and in order to be activated CDK5 must link to CDK5R1 or CDK5R2. CDK5 doesn't need phosphorylation on the T loop so that binding with the activator is enough to activate the kinase. CDK5 is engaged in the processes of neuronal maturation and migration, phosphorylating the central intracellular adaptor of the reeling signaling chain.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. As its name implies, VEGF activity has been mostly studied on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g. stimulation monocyte/ macrophagemigration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ).VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesisand cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.Elevated levels of this protein are linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Glycoprotein-9 (GP9) is a small membrane glycoprotein found on the surface of human platelets. GP9 forms a one to one noncovalent complex with glycoprotein Ib, a platelet surface membrane glycoprotein complex which functions as a receptor for von Willebrand factor. The complete receptor complex includes noncovalent association of the alpha and beta subunits with the protein and platelet glycoprotein V. GP9 gene defects cause the Bernard-Soulier syndrome, aka giant platelet disease whose patients have unusually large platelets and have a clinical bleeding tendency.

DKK1 is part of the dickkopf family. DKK1 is a secreted protein with 2 cysteine rich regions and takes part in embryonic development through its inhibition of the WNT signaling pathway. High levels of DKK1 in bone marrow plasma and peripheral blood is associated with the presence of osteolytic bone lesions in patients with multiple myeloma. Induction of DKK1 contributes to the pathological cascade triggered by beta-amyloid and is significantly involved in the development of tau phosphorylation.
DKK1 reduces the differentiation of osteoblastic precursor cells. DKK1 is an important member in multiple myeloma bone disease. DKK1 expression is reduced in human colon tumors, implying that DKK-1 plays a role as a tumor suppressor gene in this neoplasia; the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is downregulated by the induction of DKK1 expression, a mechanism that is missing in colon cancer.

RANKL binds to tnfrsf11b/opg and to tnfrsf11a/rank. Osteoclast differentiation and activation factor. Augments the ability of dendritic cells to stimulate naive t-cell proliferation. May be an important regulator of interactions between t-cells and dendritic cells and may play a role in the regulation of the t-cell-dependent immune response. sRANKL may also play an important role in enhanced bone-resorption in humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy.