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Cathepsin B preproprotein (CTSB) is a papain-family cysteine protease which is normally located in lysosomes. CTSB is able to degrade several extracellular matrix components at both neutral and acidic pH and has been implicated in the progression of some human and rodent tumors progression and arthritis.

TARC cDNA encodes a 94 amino acid precursor protein with a 23 amino acid residue signal peptide that is cleaved off to generate the 71 amino acid residue mature secreted protein. Along with CC chemokine family members, CCL-17 has approximately 24-29% amino acid sequence identity with RANTES, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3 and I-309. TARC is expressed in thymus, and at a lower level in the lung, colon, and small intestine. TARC is in addition transiently expressed in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Recombinant TARC has been shown to be chemotactic for T cell lines but not monocytes or neutrophils. CCL-17 was recently identified to be a specific functional ligand for CCR4, a receptor that is selectively expressed on T cells. CCL17 is one of quite a few Cys-Cys (CC) cytokine genes clustered on the q arm of chromosome 16. CCL17 shows chemotactic activity for T lymphocytes, but not monocytes or granulocytes. CCL17 binds to chemokine receptors CCR4 and CCR8. This chemokine plays important roles in T cell development in thymus as well as in trafficking and activation of mature T cells.

Protein Phosphatase 1, Regulatory Subunit 8 (PPP1R8) is the RNA-binding subunit of a key species of protein phosphatase-1 in the nucleus. The PPP1R8 enzyme is an inhibitor subunit of the main nuclear protein phosphatase-1 (PP-1). PPP1R8 has RNA-binding activity however it doesn’t cleave RNA and may target PP-1 to RNA-associated substrates. Two isoforms of the PPP1R8 protein are specific inhibitors of type 1 serine/threonine protein phosphatases which can bind but not cleave RNA. The third isoform of the PPP1R8 protein is deficient in of the phosphatase inhibitory activity nonetheless it is a single-strand endoribonuclease comparable to RNase E of E. coli.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL7) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. It is a protein that is released in large amounts from platelets following their activation. It stimulates various processes including mitogenesis, synthesis of extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism and synthesis of plasminogen activator.

TNFR1 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR1 is a receptor for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha.
There are 2 types of soluble TNF receptors: sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II, which act to neutralize the biological activities of TNF alpha and TNF beta. The levels of these soluble receptors seem to increase as a result of shedding of the extracellular domains of the membrane bound receptors. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.
TNFR1 is capable of signaling both cell survival and apoptosis. TNFR1-induced apoptosis requires 2 sequential signaling complexes. TNFR1 is capable of activating NF-kappaB, mediate apoptosis, and function as a regulator of inflammation. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNFR1 contributes to the induction of non-cytocidal TNF effects including anti-viral state and activation of the acid sphingomyelinase. Human TNFR1 has a major region which controls cell surface expression. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women.
Germline mutations of the extracellular domains of TNFR1 are linked to the autosomal dominant periodic fever syndrome. The impaired receptor clearance is believed to be a mechanism of the disease. Familial hibernian fever (FHF) is caused by defects in TNFRSF1A gene.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are a class of enzymes which charge tRNAs with their cognate amino acids. Asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (NARS) is localized to the cytoplasm and is a member of the class II family of tRNA synthetases. The N-terminal domain characterizes the signature sequence for the eukaryotic asparaginyl-tRNA synthetases.

IFN Regulatory Factor-5, also known as IRF5 belongs to the IFN regulatory factor (IRF) family, a group of transcription factors with various functions, including virus-mediated activation of IFN, and modulation of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune system activity. Members of the IRF family are characterized by a conserved N-terminal DNA-binding domain containing tryptophan (W) repeats. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. In addition, IRF5 is implicated in the induction of IFNs IFNA and INFB and inflammatory cytokines upon virus infection. IRF5 is activated by TLR7 or TLR8 signaling.

Beta-secretase 1 or BACE1 or beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1, is a protein that is encoded by the BACE1 gene in humans. Expression of BACE1 is seen primarily in neurons as it is crucial for the creation of myelin sheats in the peripheric nervous system. Beta-secretase 1 is a proteas that is located in the cell membrane (transmembrane). The enzyme consists of 2 active sites (aspartate residues) in the extracellular domain that can act as a dimer.

OSTF1 is an intracellular protein produced by osteoclasts that induces bone resorption, via signaling cascade which results in the secretion of factors enhancing osteoclast formation and activity.

DDT is an enzyme that catayzes the tautomerization of D-dopachrome to give 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI). DDT is part of the family of lyases, specifically the carboxy-lyases, which cleave carbon-carbon bonds. DDT shares a homologous amino acid sequence (33% identical) with MIF and has similar tautomerase activity. DDT functions a proinflammatory cytokine.

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), are a family of cell surface glycoproteins found on Natural Killer (NK) Cells, which are important cells of the immune system. They control the killing function of these cells by interacting with MHC class I molecules, which are expressed on all cell types. This interaction allows them to identify virally infected cells or tumor cells that have a distinctive low level of Class I MHC on their surface. The majority of KIRs are inhibitory, which means that their recognition of MHC suppresses the cytotoxic activity of their NK cell. Only a limited number of KIRs have the capacity to activate cells.
The KIR genes are found in a cluster on chromosome 19q13.4 within the 1 Mb leukocyte receptor complex (LRC). KIR molecules are extremely polymorphic, meaning their gene sequences differ significantly between individuals, so that different individuals have different arrays/repertoires of KIR genes.
The KIR proteins are categorized by the number of extracellular immunoglobulin domains (2D or 3D) and by whether they have a long (L) or short (S) cytoplasmic domain. KIR proteins with the long cytoplasmic domain transduce inhibitory signals upon ligand binding via an immune tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM). Whereas KIR proteins with the short cytoplasmic domain lack the ITIM motif and instead associate with the TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein to transduce activating signals.
KIR2DL3 is an inhibitory Killer Cell Ig-like Receptor (KIR, previously called p58 KIR, cl-6, NKAT2 or KIR-K7), which recognizes class I MHC molecules (HLA-Cw1, -Cw3, -Cw7, and Cw8). KIR2DL3 inhibits the activity of NK cells thus preventing cell lysis.

Hexokinases phosphorylate glucose to produce glucose-6-phosphate, thus committing glucose to the glycolytic pathway. Hexokinase 2 is the predominant form found in skeletal muscle. It localizes to the outer membrane of mitochondria. Expression of this gene is insulin-responsive, and studies in rat suggest that it is involved in the increased rate of glycolysis seen in rapidly growing cancer cells.

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that regulates T and natural killer cell activation and proliferation. This cytokine and interleukine 2 share many biological activities. They are found to bind common hematopoietin receptor subunits, and may compete for the same receptor, and thus negatively regulate each other's activity. The number of CD8+ memory cells is shown to be controlled by a balance between this cytokine and IL2. This cytokine induces the activation of JAK kinases, as well as the phosphorylation and activation of transcription activators STAT3, STAT5, and STAT6. Studies of the mouse counterpart suggested that this cytokine may increase the expression of apoptosis inhibitor BCL2L1/BCL-x(L), possibly through the transcription activation activity of STAT6, and thus prevent apoptosis. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding the same protein have been reported.

V-Set Domain Containing T Cell Activation Inhibitor 1, also known as VCTN1, is part of the B7 costimulatory protein family. Proteins in this family are located on the surface of antigen-presenting cells and interact with ligand bound to receptors on the surface of T cells. High level of the encoded protein has been associated with tumor progression. VCTN1 also takes part in promoting epithelial cell transformation.

Human papillomavirus family consist of over 200 types. Over than 30 to 40 types of HPV are transferred via sexual contact and infect the anogenital region initiating genital warts. Persistent infection with "high-risk" HPV types results in skin warts and leads to precancerous lesions and invasive cancer. HPV infection is considered as a source for all incidents of cervical cancer.

Akt1, also known as "Akt" or protein kinaseB (PKB) is an important molecule in mammaliancellular signaling.
In humans, there are three genes in the "Akt family": Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3. These enzymesare members of the serine/threonine-specific protein kinasefamily (EC2.7.11.1).
Akt1 is involved in cellular survival pathways, by inhibiting apoptoticprocesses. Akt1 is also able to induce protein synthesispathways, and is therefore a key signaling protein in the cellular pathways that lead to skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and general tissue growth. Since it can block apoptosis, and thereby promote cell survival, Akt1 has been implicated as a major factor in many types of cancer. Akt (now also called Akt1) was originally identified as the oncogenein the transforming retrovirus, AKT8.

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase 2 cytoplasmic (PAFAH2) has a marked selectivity for phospholipids with short acyl chains at the sn-2 position. PAFAH2 may share a mutual physiologic function with the plasma-type enzyme.

Urokinase (UK) is a serine protease, which is one of biological plasminogen activators.
It is involved in a number of biological functions including fibrinolysis, embryogenesis, cell migration, tissue remodeling, ovulation, and wound healing.
It can be obtained from human urine or kidney cell culture.

The type II transmembrane protein FASLG is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. A fas ligand/receptor interaction has a significant part in the regulation of the immune system and the advancement of cancer. FASLG is expressed on the activated T cell surface as a nondisulfidelinked homotrimer. FASLG binding to Fas/CD95/TNFRSF6 on a nearby cell prompts apoptosis in the Fas expressing cell. FASLG is released from the cell surface by metalloproteinases as a soluble molecule that stays trimeric and is able to bind with Fas, but its capability to activate apoptosis is radically reduced. In addition, FASLG binds to DcR3 - a soluble trap receptor with no signal transduction capabilities. Flawed Fas-mediated apoptosis causes oncogenesis in addition to drug resistance in existing tumors. Constitutive expression of FASLG in a variety of tumors enables their immune evasion. Both mouse and human FASLG are active on mouse and human cells.

Synovial Sarcoma, X Breakpoint 2 (SSX2) is a part of the family of highly homologous synovial sarcoma X breakpoint proteins which play a role as transcriptional repressors. Homologous synovial sarcoma X breakpoint proteins are also able to bring out spontaneous humoral and cellular immune responses in cancer patients, and are effective targets in cancer vaccine-based immunotherapy.

TARC cDNA encodes a 94 amino acid precursor protein with a 23 amino acid residue signal peptide that is cleaved off to generate the 71 amino acid residue mature secreted protein. Along with CC chemokine family members, CCL-17 has approximately 24-29% amino acid sequence identity with RANTES, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3 and I-309. TARC is expressed in thymus, and at a lower level in the lung, colon, and small intestine. TARC is in addition transiently expressed in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Recombinant TARC has been shown to be chemotactic for T cell lines but not monocytes or neutrophils. CCL-17 was recently identified to be a specific functional ligand for CCR4, a receptor that is selectively expressed on T cells. CCL17 is one of quite a few Cys-Cys (CC) cytokine genes clustered on the q arm of chromosome 16. CCL17 shows chemotactic activity for T lymphocytes, but not monocytes or granulocytes. CCL17 binds to chemokine receptors CCR4 and CCR8. This chemokine plays important roles in T cell development in thymus as well as in trafficking and activation of mature T cells.

Interleukin-9 is a protein that acts as one of the regulators of hematopoiesis. IL-9 is an enhancer of cells and megakaryoblastic leukemic cells’ growth. Among this protein’s producers we can find cells like mast cells, Treg, NKT cells, Th17, Th2, ILC2, and Th9 cells in various amounts. Th9 are the primary CD4 cells (T cells) that IL-9 is produced in.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a group family with more than 150 related viruses. HP 6 and 11 considered as low-risk HPVs can be sexually transmitted, causing warts to emerge on or around the genitals or anus, known as condylomata acuminate. HPV 11 major/large capsid antigen is used in clinical diagnosis to test the specific antibody to this virus induced by the virus infection, the positive reaction of this antibody is deemed as a marker for present and past infection. Furthermore, HPV 11 large capsid is used as a potential candiadate for vaccine development.

Glia Maturation Factor-Beta (GMF-Beta) is a 17 kDa protein nerve gorwth factor identified as a growth and differentiation factor in the vertebrate brain.
Glia Maturation Factor-Beta stimulates differentiation of normal neurons as well as glial cells. GMFB inhibits the proliferation of the N-18 neuroblastoma line and the C6 glioma line while promoting their phenotypic expression.
GMF-beta inhances the phenotypic expression of glia & neurons thus inhibits the proliferation of their respective tumors when added to cell culture. Although astrocytes produce GMF-b and stores it inside the cells, they don’t secrete the GMF-B into the cultured medium. Cell- surface GMFb acts on the target cells at close range when cells are in direct contact. GMF-Beta is produced by thymic epithelial cells and plays an important role in T cell development in favor of CD4+ T cells.
GMF-Beta is a brain-specific protein which belongs to the actin-binding proteins (ADF) family. GMF-beta appears to play a role in the differentiation, maintenance, and regeneration of the nervous system. It also supports the progression of certain auto-immune diseases, possibly through its ability to induce the production and secretion of various pro-inflammatory cytokines.