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Chromgranin-A is part of the neuroendocrine secretory protein family. CHGA is located in secretory vesicles of neurons and endocrine cells. Chromgranin-A is a precursor to three biologically active peptides; vasostatin, pancreastatin, and parastatin. These peptides act as autocrine or paracrine negative modulators of the neuroendocrine system. Other peptides, including chromostatin, beta-granin, WE-14 and GE-25, are also derived from the full-length protein. Chromgranin-A has numerous biological activities on some tissues and organs and exerts a large spectrum of homeostatic actions, including antifungal and antimicrobial effect, modulation of cell adhesion, and inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion.

Gankyrin (proteasome 26S subunit) is a multicatalytic proteinase oncoprotein commonly overexpressed in most hepatocellular carcinomas. Proteasomes are found throughout eukaryotic cells at a high concentrations and cleave peptides in an ATP/ubiquitin-dependent process in a non-lysosomal pathway. Gankyrin interacts with S6 ATPase of the 19S regulatory particle of the 26S proteasome. Gankyrin is involved in theregulation of the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein by CDK4, and to enhance the ubiquitinylation of p53 by MDM2. Gankyrin consists of 7 ankyrin repeats and is structurally similar to I kappa Bs. Gankyrin acts as a regulatory subunit of the 26s proteasome which is involved in the atp-dependent degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. Gankyrin is involved in progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. gankyrin plays an oncogenic role especially in early stages of human epatocarcinogenesis. Gankyrin binds to NF-kappaB and suppresses its activity at the transcription level by modulating acetylation through SIRT1. Structural comparison between Gankyrin & p16(INK4A) identified numerous residues of gankyrin that are potentially important for CDK4 binding.

The cytokine Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified to be secreted by the pituitary gland and the monocyte/macrophage and to play an important role in endotoxic shock. MIF has the unique property of being released from macrophages and T cells in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. The secretion of MIF is tightly regulated and decreases at high, anti-inflammatory steroid concentration.

CCL23 (MIP-3) is a ligand for the CCR1chemokine receptor. CCL23 is one of several cytokine genes clustered on the q-arm of chromosome 17, in a locus containing several other CC chemokines. MIP-3 chemoattracts monocytes, resting T-lymphocytes and neutrophils, but not activated lymphocytes. Furthermore, it was shown that MIP-3 inhibits colony formation of bone marrow myeloid immature progenitors. MIP-3 is mainly expressed in lung and liver tissue, but can be also found in bone marrow and placenta, as well as in some cell lines of myeloid origin.
Alternative splicing of the CCL23 gene produces 2 mRNAs which encode a short (CK?8) and a long (CK?81) isoform of the MIP-3. CK?8 cDNA encodes a 120 amino acid residue precursor protein with a putative 21 a.a. residue signal peptide which is cleaved to generate a 99 a.a. residue mature CK?8 (a.a. 22-120). Further N-terminal processing of the 99 a.a. residue variant can produce a 75 a.a. residue CK?8 (a.a. 46-120) which is considerably more active than the 99 a.a. residue variant.
MIP-3 may be involved in the malignant progression of certain human cancer cells which overexpress ErbB2 through the transactivation of ErbB2 tyrosine kinase. MIP-3 may also be involved in angiogenesis via upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 expression.

SKP1 is a F-box enzyme which functions as a substrate recognition component of the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex which controls the ubiquitination of proteins involved in cell cycle progression, signal transduction and transcription. SKP1 binds to proteins containing an F-box motif, such as cyclin F, S-phase kinase-associated protein 2, and other regulatory proteins involved in ubiquitin dependent proteolysis. SKP1 takes part in the control of beta-catenin levels and the activity of beta-catenin dependent TCF transcription factors. SKP1 serves as an adapter that links the F-box protein to CUL1 in the SCF complex.

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.

CCL28 is part of the subfamily of small cytokine CC genes. CCL28 shows chemotactic activity for resting CD4 or CD8 T cells and eosinophils. CCL28 binds to chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR10. CCL28 is involved in the physiology of extracutaneous epithelial tissues, including diverse mucosal organs. CCL28 mediates mucosal immunity in HIV exposure and infection. CCL28 is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases.
Human CCL28 cDNA encodes a 127 amino acid residue precursor protein with a putative 22 amino acid residue signal peptide that is cleaved to produce the 105 amino acid residue mature protein. Human and mouse CCL28 are highly conserved, sharing 83% amino acid identity in their mature regions. CCL28 shares the most homology with CCL27/CTACK. Human and mouse CCL28 RNA expression was found to be highest in normal and pathologic colon with the protein being expressed by epithelial cells. Human CCL28 RNA was also present in normal and asthmatic lung tissues.

Fractalkine soluble form is chemotactic for t-cells and monocytes, but not for neutrophils. Fractalkine membrane-bound form promotes adhesion of those leukocytes to endothelial cells. Fractalkine regulates leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium and binds to CX3CR1. Natural Human Fractalkine is produced as a long protein (373-amino acid) with an extended mucin-like stalk and a chemokine domain on top. The mucin-like stalk permits it to bind to the cell surface. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

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.

CRCP is a ubiquitous coupling protein for the calcitonin gene-related peptide and adrenomedullin receptors. CRCP controls ligand sensitivity in several tissues and has DNA-directed RNA polymerase activity, catalytic activity and calcitonin receptor activity.

GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) are synthetic peptides that like GHRH effect on pituitary somatotrophs to stimulate GH release. The GHRP4 is one of several synthetic met-enkephalin analogs that owns unnatural D-amino acids. They were developed for their growth hormone (GH) releasing activity and called GH secretatogues. They lack opioid activity but are potent stimulators of GH release. These secretatogues are distinct from the growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH or GHRF) as they share no sequence relation and derive their function through action at a completely different receptor, the ghrelin receptor.

CD32a, also known as FCGR2A, belongs to a family of immunoglobulin Fc receptor genes located on the surface of various immune response cells. FCGR2A which is a cell surface receptor found on phagocytic cells like macrophages and neutrophils, takes part in the process of phagocytosis and clearing of immune complexes. FCGR2A initiates cellular responses against pathogens and soluble antigens by binding to IgG. FCGR2A, which is a low affinity receptor, binds to the Fc region of immunoglobulins gamma.

INHBC, the beta C chain of inhibin, belongs to the TGF-beta superfamily. INHBC formulates heterodimers with beta A and beta B subunits. Other members of the TGF-beta superfamily are Actv's and Inhibins, hormones with contradictory roles which take part in pituitary, hypothalamic, and gonadal hormone secretion, as well as differentiation and growth of numerous cell types.

GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) are synthetic peptides that like GHRH effect on pituitary somatotrophs to stimulate GH release. The GHRP1 is one of several synthetic met-enkephalin analogs that owns unnatural D-amino acids. They were developed for their growth hormone (GH) releasing activity and called GH secretatogues. They lack opioid activity but are potent stimulators of GH release. These secretatogues are distinct from the growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH or GHRF) as they share no sequence relation and derive their function through action at a completely different receptor, the ghrelin receptor.

This gene is a member of the EPO/TPO family and encodes a secreted, glycosylated cytokine composed of four alpha helical bundles. The protein is found in the plasma and regulates red cell production by promoting erythroid differentiation and initiating hemoglobin synthesis. This protein also has neuroprotective activity against a variety of potential brain injuries and antiapoptotic functions in several tissue types.

NDRG1 is a cytoplasmic protein that is involved in stress responses, hormone responses, cell growth, and differentiation. NDRG1 is one of 4 members of the NDRG ?/?-hydrolase family. NDRG1 is classified in databases as a tumor suppressor and heavy metal-response protein. NDRG1’s functions include cell-cycle regulation, cellular differentiation, apoptosis, hypoxia response and metal-ion sensing. NDRG1 is also essential for p53-mediated caspase activation and apoptosis. The NDRG1 is a Rab4a effector that is involved in vesicular recycling of E-cadherin. NDRG1 is ubiquitous; it is expressed most notably in placental membranes and prostate, kidney, small intestine, and ovary tissues. NDRG1 has reduced expression in adenocarcinomas compared to normal tissues.
NDRG1 gene mutations are reported to be the cause for hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy-Lom (HMSNL), which is a severe autosomal recessive form of Charcot- Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. In addition, decreased NDRG1 expression in glioma is linked to tumor progression. On the other hand, overexpression of NDRG1 is connected to malignant status of esophageal cancer. NDRG1 may also have a role in portal vein invasion and intrahepatic metastasis in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

CEBPB is an intronless gene and its protein is a bZIP transcription factor which can bind as a homodimer to certain DNA regulatory regions. CEBPB can also form heterodimers with the related proteins CEBP-alpha, CEBP-delta, and CEBP-gamma. CEBPB is important in the regulation of genes involved in immune and inflammatory responses and has been shown to bind to the IL-1 response element in the IL-6 gene, as well as to regulatory regions of several acute-phase and cytokine genes. In addition, CEBPB can bind the promoter and upstream element and stimulate the expression of the collagen type I gene.

The 26S proteasome is a multicatalytic proteinase complex with a well ordered structure composed of two complexes- a 20S core and a 19S regulator. PSMD11 is a non-ATPase subunit of the 19S regulator. The 20S core is composed of four rings of 28 non-identical subunits; two rings are composed of 7 alpha subunits and two rings are composed of 7 beta subunits. The 19S regulator is composed of a base that contains six ATPase subunits and two non-ATPase subunits, and a lid that contains up to ten non-ATPase subunits. Proteasomes are spread throughout eukaryotic cells at a high concentration and cleave peptides in an ATP/ubiquitin-dependent process in a non-lysosomal pathway. An indispensable function of a modified proteasome, the immunoproteasome, is the processing of class I MHC peptides.

XCL1 is a small cytokine belongs to the XC chemokine family that is also known as lymphotactin. XCL1 is found in high levels in spleen, thymus, intestine and peripheral blood leukocytes, and at lower levels in lung, prostate gland and ovary. Cellular sources for XCL1 include activated thymic and peripheral blood CD8+ T cells. This chemokine attracts T cells. In humans, XCL1 is closely related to XCL2, whose gene is found at the same locus on chromosome 1. XCL1 induces it chemotactic function by binding to a chemokine receptor called XCR1.

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.

Cystatin E/M or CST6 is part of the cystatin type 2 family. Part of the cystatin type 2 family members can act as cysteine protease inhibitors, whereas cystatin E/M regulates cathepsin B inhibitors and not cathepsin C. cystatin E/M is a protein the when secreted, has an effect on osteogenesis and bone resorption, insulin regulation, response to systemic inflammation & hepatocyte growth factor receptors.

ACVR2A takes part in various biological processes including mesoderm induction, neural cell differentiation, bone remodeling, hematopoiesis, carcinogenesis, and inflammation. ACVR2A which is a receptor for Actv A, Actv B and inhibin A mediates induction of adipogenesis by GDF6.

Nogginwhich is encoded by the NOG gene, binds and inactivates members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling proteins, such as bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4). By diffusing through extracellular matrices more efficiently than members of the TGF-beta superfamily, noggin may play and important role in creating morphogenic gradients. Noggin appears to have pleiotropic effect, both early in development as well as in later stages. Noggin was originally isolated from Xenopus based on its ability to restore normal dorsal-ventral body axis in embryos that had been artificially ventralized by UV treatment. The results of the mouse knockout of noggin suggest that it is involved in numerous developmental processes, such as neural tube fusion and joint formation. There are several dominant human NOG mutations in unrelated families with proximal symphalangism (SYM1) and multiple synostoses syndrome (SYNS1). All NOG mutations altered evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of human noggin is highly homologous to that of Xenopus, rat and mouse.