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Biglycan (BGN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which takes part in assembly of collagen fibrils and muscle regeneration. BGN is closely correlated in structure to two other small proteoglycans, decorin and fibromodulin. BGN interacts with several proteins involved in muscular dystrophy, including alpha-dystroglycan, alpha- and gamma-sarcoglycan and collagen VI. BGN is also critical for the assembly of the dystrophin-associated protein complex.

EPHB4 or Ephrin type-B receptor 4 is encoded by the EPHB4 gene in humans. The receptor and its ligands (the ephrins) take part in different developmental stages, mainly in the nervous system. EPHB4 and other Ephrin receptors are the biggest subgroup of the RTK receptors. EPHB4 binds to ephrin B2 and has a crucial part in the development of the vascular system.

O-Sialoglycoprotein Endopeptidase, also known as OSGEP is a member of the KAE1 / TsaD family. OSGEP is essential for the formation of threonylcarbamoyl group on adenosine at position 37 (t6A37) in tRNAs which read codons beginning with adenine. OSGEP take a direct catalytic part in the above reaction, however other proteins of the complex are required to fulfill this activity.

TAGLN is a transformation and form-change responsive actin cross-linking/gelling protein that is part of the calponin family. TAGLN is expressed abundantly in fibroblasts and smooth muscle. TAGLN participates in calcium interactions and contractile properties of the cell that contribute to replicative senescence. Throughout embryogenesis, TAGLN is expressed in smooth, cardiac and skeletal muscle, but is limited during late fetal growth and adulthood to all vascular and visceral smooth muscle cells and low levels of expression in heart. TAGLN is downregulated in several transformed cell lines, showing that a decrease of TAGLN expression is an premature indicator of the onset of transformation.

Transgelin 2 (TAGLN2) is one of the earliest markers of differentiated smooth muscle. TAGLN2 contains a calponin like repeat and a calponin-homology (CH) domain. TAGLN2 is downregulated in some transformed cell lines, indicating that a reduction of transgelin expression may be an early indicator of the onset of transformation. TAGLN2 also binds actin, causing actin fibers to gel within minutes of binding. The binding of transgelin to actin occurs at a ratio of 1:6 actin monomers.

Fibrinogen Beta Chain 9 (FGB) is the beta component of fibrinogen, a blood-borne glycoprotein composed of 3 pairs of nonidentical polypeptide chains. When vascular injury accrues, fibrinogen is cleaved by thrombin to form fibrin which is found in abundance in blood clots.

C8, a component of the complement system consists of three polypeptides C8A, C8B and C8G and takes part in the formation of Membrane Attack Complex (MAC). Patients with C8 deficiency are exposed to several bacteria infections. C8G, a member of the lipocalin family and calycin superfamily, is a secreted protein that can bind retinol. C8G is created in the liver, monocytes and fibroblast and has a role in clearing pathogens from an infected host.

Calbindin 1 (CALB1) is a calcium binding protein that is a member of the troponin C superfamily. CALB1 plays a vital role in calcium regulation (including calcium transport and uptake, calcification of bone and teeth) and calcium associated signaling in neurons and transiently in embryological development. CALB1 also has a role in protecting neurons from apoptotic cell death. CALB1 buffers cytosolic calcium and may stimulate a membrane Ca2+-ATPase and a 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. The biological function of CALB1 seems to be tied to the redox state of its five cysteine residues.
CALB1 has 4 active calcium-binding domains, and 2 modified domains that seemingly have lost their calcium-binding ability. CALB1 is expressed in neural tissues. In the brain, the CALB1 synthesis is independent of vitamin-D-derived hormones.
Disregulation of the CALB1 is associated with epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease. The neurons in brains of Huntington disease patients are calbindin-depleted.

Calretinin is an intracellular calcium-binding protein belonging to the troponin C superfamily characterized by a structural motif described as the EF-hand domain. The immunohistochemical detection of calretinin in developing cerebellum is restricted to the later stages indicated by weak staining from week 21 of gestation, in Purkinje and basket cells and in neurons of the dentate nucleus. The intensity of staining increases as the cerebellum matures. In tumors, calretinin has been detected in mesotheliomas and some pulmonary adenocarcinomas.

Capping Protein (Actin Filament) Muscle Z-Line, Alpha 2 also known as CAPZA2 belongs the F-actin capping protein alpha subunit family. It is the alpha subunit of the barbed-end actin binding protein Cap Z. By capping the barbed end of actin filaments, Cap Z regulates the growth of the actin filaments at the barbed end. Among the diseases associated with CAPZA2 are endocarditis, and cervicitis.

Inhibitor of Growth Family Member 1, also known as ING1 is a tumor suppressor protein which is able to induce cell growth arrest and apoptosis. ING1 is a nuclear protein which physically act together with the tumor suppressor protein TP53 and is a component of the p53 signaling pathway. In addition, Reduced expression and rearrangement of ING1 have been identified in various cancers. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been described for ING1.

Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic, Alpha 6 (CHRNA6) is a part of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) family. nAChRs are heteropentameric ligand-gated ion channels generating from the assembly of alpha and beta protein subunits. After binding acetylcholine, the AChRs respond by a major change in conformation which affects all subunits and leads to opening of an ion-conducting channel across the plasma membrane. CHRNA6 receptors have a rather selective localization to the nigrostriatal pathway.

Tyrosine-protein kinase Lyn (LYN) belongs to the src family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases, which is primarily expressed in haematopoietic tissues. LYN protein is involved in induction of stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), but not ERK or p38 MAPK, in response to genotoxic agents. LYN protein stimulates SAPK by a MKK7- and MEKK1-dependent mechanism. The LYN - MEKK1 - MKK7 - SAPK pathway is efficient in the induction of apoptosis by genotoxic agents.

VAMP5 is part of the vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)/synaptobrevin family and the SNARE superfamily. VAMP5 is involved is vesicle trafficking events that are associated with myogenesis.

Vaspin (visceral adipose-specific SERPIN), a newly identified adipokine, which is a member of serine protease inhibitor family. Vaspin is also a unique insulin sensitizing adipocytokine in obesity. A recent publication indicates that induction of human vaspin mRNA expression in adipose tissue is regulated in a fat depot-specific manner and could be associated with parameters of obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism.

NME2 takes an important part in the synthesis of nucleoside triphosphates other than ATP. NME2 negatively controls Rho activity by interacting with AKAP13/LBC. NME2 acts as a transcriptional activator of the MYC gene. NME2 binds DNA non-specifically. NME2 is a heterodimeric enzyme functioning as a nucleoside diphosphate kinase. NME1 and NME2 contain 152 amino acids, A and B polypeptide chains of the NM23 enzyme, respectively. NME2 is identical to the beta subunit of human erythrocyte NDP kinase. NDP kinases participate in the synthesis of nucleoside triphosphates, and NM23 is involved in the regulation of signal transduction by complexing with G proteins, causing activation/inactivation of developmental pathways.

Ectodysplasin A Receptor, also known as EDAR belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. EDAR is a receptor for the soluble ligand ectodysplasin A, and is capable of activating the nuclear factor-kappaB, JNK, as well as caspase-independent cell death pathways. EDAR is necessary for the development of hair, teeth, and other ectodermal derivatives. Furthermore, mutations in EDAR resulted in autosomal dominant and recessive forms of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

Vimentin expression in human malignant glioma cells depends on cellular density, algorithms of drug delivery and chemo/radio treatment. Vimentin and detyrosinated microtubules provide structural support for the extensive microtentacles observed in detached tumor cells and a mechanism to promote successful metastatic spread. Primary colorectal carcinomas display aberrant expression of vimentin, and have activated Notch and TGFbeta signaling pathways. Vimentin is a strong arterial substrate for transglutaminases. Transglutaminase-mediated vimentin dimerization results in a novel unifying pathway by which vasodilatory and remodeling responses may be regulated. Ablation of vimentin expression inhibits migration and invasion of colon and breast cancer cell lines. Vimentin is the main intermediate filament protein in mesenchymal cells and is therefore of value in the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated neoplasms.

Activins are homodimers or heterodimers of the different ? subunit isoforms, part of the TGF? family. Mature Activin A has two 116 amino acids residues betaA subunits (bA-bA). Activin displays an extensive variety of biological activities, including mesoderm induction, neural cell differentiation, bone remodelling, haematopoiesis, and reproductive physiology. Activins takes part in the production and regulation of hormones such as FSH, LH, GnRH and ACTH. Cells that are identified to express Activin A include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, hepatocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, keratinocytes, osteoclasts, bone marrow monocytes, prostatic epithelium, neurons, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and ovarian granulosa cells.

Fetuin is a liver-produced negative acute phase protein composed of two subunits, the A and B chains.
Fetuin homologs have been identified in several species including rat, sheep, pig, rabbit, guinea pig, cattle, mouse and human. Multiple physiological roles for these homologs have been suggested, including ability to bind to hydroxyapatite crystals and to specifically inhibit the tyrosine kinase (TK) activity of the receptor (IR).
Fetuin-A (alpha2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein; AHSG) is an important circulating inhibitor of calcification in vivo, and is downregulated during the acute-phase response.
Sera from patients on long-term dialysis with low AHSG concentrations showed impaired ex-vivo capacity to inhibit CaxPO4 precipitation.
Fetuin may influence the resolution of inflammation by modulating the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages.
ASHG blocks TGF-beta-dependent signaling in osteoblastic cells, and mice lacking ASHG display growth plate defects, increased bone formation with age, and enhanced cytokine-dependent osteogenesis.

NCF1 is a cytosolic subunit protein of neutrophil NADPH oxidase which a
Multi-component enzyme that is activates production of superoxide anion. NCF1, along with NCF2 and a membrane bound cytochrome b558, is necessary for activation of the latent NADPH oxidase necessary for superoxide production. Mutations in this NCF1 have been related with chronic granulomatous disease.

ATG5 is a member of the autophagy-related (ATG) genes family. Autophagy is a catabolic process for the autophagosomic-lysosomal degradation of bulk cytoplasmic contents. ATG5 protein is essential for autophagy. It conjugates to ATG12 and associates with isolation membrane to form autophagosomes. In addition ATG5 takes a vital part in the apoptotic process and it is expressed relatively late in the apoptotic process, downstream of caspase activity.

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptors are a family of transmembrane serine/threonine kinases that include the type I receptors BMPR1A and BMPR1B and the type II receptor BMPR2. These receptors are also closely related to the activin receptors, ACVR1 and ACVR2. The ligands of these receptors are members of the TGF-beta superfamily. TGF-betas and activins transduce their signals through the formation of heteromeric complexes with 2 different types of serine (threonine) kinase receptors: type I receptors of about 50-55 kD and type II receptors of about 70-80 kD. Type II receptors bind ligands in the absence of type I receptors, but they require their respective type I receptors for signaling, whereas type I receptors require their respective type II receptors for ligand binding.

ErbB3, also called Her3 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 3), is a type I membrane glycoprotein that is a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase receptors. ErbB family members serve as receptors for the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors. Among ErbB family members, ErbB3 is unique in that it contains a defective kinase domain. ErbB3 is expressed in keratinocytes, melanocytes, skeletal muscle cells, embryonic myoblasts and Schwann cells. Monomeric ErbB3 serves as a low affinity receptor for the heregulins (HRG). ErbB3 can induce specific antibody production in vivo, hence to inhibit tumor cell growth. ErbB-3 can be used to treat early, medium and advanced or post-operative breast cancer with over-expression of ErbB2. According to its mechanism of action, ErbB3 is classified as a therapeutic for cancer.