Search results

Inhibins are dimeric peptide hormones produced by female ovarian granulose cells and male Sertoli cells as well as a variety of other tissues. Inhibins have two isoforms, A and B, with the same alpha subunit but different beta subunits. Inhibin A is a dimer of alpha and beta A subunits, inhibin B is a dimer of alpha and beta B subunits.
Inhibins are thought to inhibit the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. In addition, Inhibins are also thought to play a role in the control of gametogenesis, and embryonic and fetal development.

TIPIN is a member of the CSM3 family. TIPIN protein is essential for normal advancement of S-phase and vital for cell existence after DNA damage or replication stress. TIPIN is specifically necessary for the ATR - CHEK1 pathway in the replication checkpoint induced by ultraviolet light.

Cluster of Differentiation 244 (CD244/Natural Killer Cell Receptor 2B4) contains 2 Ig-like (immunoglobulin-like) domains. CD244 is a cell surface receptor expressed on natural killer (NK) cells (and some T cells) which mediate non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restricted killing. NK-cell and target cells interaction via the CD244 receptor is believed to modulate NK-cell cytolytic activity. CD244 molecules function in eosinophil adhesion and chemotaxis, and have a role in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis (AR).

CD47, functions in cell adhesions by performing as an adhesion receptor for THBS1 on platelets, furthermore CD47 plays a role in the modulation of integrins. In addition, CD47 takes a vital part in memory formation as well as synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Receptor for SIRPA avoids maturation of immature dendritic cells and inhibits cytokine production by mature dendritic cells. CD47 prevents premature elimination of red blood cells, and it is also implicated in membrane permeability changes induced following virus infection.

CD47, functions in cell adhesions by performing as an adhesion receptor for THBS1 on platelets, furthermore CD47 plays a role in the modulation of integrins. In addition, CD47 takes a vital part in memory formation as well as synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Receptor for SIRPA avoids maturation of immature dendritic cells and inhibits cytokine production by mature dendritic cells. CD47 prevents premature elimination of red blood cells, and it is also implicated in membrane permeability changes induced following virus infection.

CD5 antigen-like (CD5L) participates in the regulation of the immune system. CD5L functions as an inhibitor of apoptosis. CD5L is expressed in the spleen, lymph node, thymus and bone marrow.

GHBP is a transmembrane receptor for growth hormone. Binding of growth hormone to the receptor leads to receptor dimerization and the activation of an intra- and intercellular signal transduction pathway leading to growth. A common alternate allele of this gene, called GHRd3, lacks exon three and has been well-characterized. Mutations in this gene have been associated with Laron syndrome, also known as the growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (GHIS), a disorder characterized by short stature. Other splice variants, including one encoding a soluble form of the protein (GHRtr), have been observed but have not been thoroughly characterized.

GHBP is a transmembrane receptor for growth hormone. Binding of growth hormone to the receptor leads to receptor dimerization and the activation of an intra- and intercellular signal transduction pathway leading to growth. A common alternate allele of this gene, called GHRd3, lacks exon three and has been well-characterized. Mutations in this gene have been associated with Laron syndrome, also known as the growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (GHIS), a disorder characterized by short stature. Other splice variants, including one encoding a soluble form of the protein (GHRtr), have been observed but have not been thoroughly characterized.

Galectin-2 or LGALS2 is a protein, part of the galectin proteins family. The galectin proteins family holds galectin proteins family lectins that mediates adhesion between cells or cells to ECM. This family also take part in pre-mRNA splicing, apoptosis & tumor progression. Galectin-2 induces apoptosis in T cells that are activated & binds to lymphotoxin-a, also can implicatate on myocardial infarction. LGALS2 from human and mouse share about 65% amino acid sequence resemblance.

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) which integrate signals between receptors and effector proteins, are comprised of an alpha, a beta and a gamma subunit. The alpha, beta and gamma subunits are encoded by families of related genes. GNB1 encodes a beta subunit. Beta subunits are vital regulators of alpha subunits, as well as of certain signal transduction receptors and effectors. G proteins are involved as a modulator or transducer in numerous transmembrane signaling systems. The beta and gamma chains are necessary for the GTPase activity, for replacement of GDP by GTP, and for G protein-effector interaction.

Mediator Complex Subunit 27 (MED27) is a subunit of the CRSP (cofactor required for SP1 activation) complex, which, together with TFIID, is necessary for efficient activation by SP1. MED27 is a component of the Mediator complex, a coactivator involved in the regulated transcription of virtually all RNA polymerase II-dependent genes. MED27 protein is also a component of other multisubunit complexes such as the thyroid hormone receptor-(TR-) associated proteins which interact with TR and facilitate TR function on DNA templates in conjunction with initiation factors and cofactors. The activation of MED27 gene transcription is a multistep process, which is triggered by factors that identify transcriptional enhancer sites in DNA.

RBM8A belongs to the EJC (The exon junction complex) which is involved in mRNA export, cytoplasmic localization and nonsense mediated mRNA decay. RBM8A is able to communicate to the cytoplasm the processing history of the mRNA, including the position of the removed introns. Even though RBM8A shuttles to the cytoplasm, it is mostly detected in the nucleus and is colocalized with oskar mRNA at the posterior pole of the cell.

Cysteine-rich PDZ-binding protein, also known as CRIPT, takes part in the cytoskeletal anchoring of DLG4 in excitatory synapses.

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.

Acyl-CoA binding domain containing 6, also known as ACBD6 contains 1 ACB (acyl-CoA-binding) domain and 2 ANK repeats. ACBD6 binds long-chain acyl-coenzyme A molecules with a strong preference for unsaturated C18:1 CoA, lower affinity for unsaturated C20:4-CoA, and extremely weak affinity for saturated C16:0-CoA. Moreover ACBD6 does not bind fatty acids. ACBD6 has been detected in placenta, umbilical cord blood, CD34-positive hematopoietic progenitor cells and bone marrow. Endotheliitis has been associated with ACBD6.

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.

S100b is a member of the S100 family of proteins which are a family of EF-hand calcium binding proteins that exist mostly as dimers of the 20 currently identified individual S100 monomers. The S100B homodimer is expressed in cells of the central nervous system, glial cells and in certain peripheral cells e.g. Schwann cells, melanocytes, adipocytes and chondrocytes. S100 proteins are localized either in the cytoplasm or the nucleus of a wide range of cells. S100 proteins are involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. There are at least 13 members in the S100 gene family, which are located as a cluster on chromosome 1q21; however, S100b is located at 21q22.3. The determination of S100B in serum levels may be used to monitor the extent of brain injury and malignant melanoma. S100b proteins may have a role in Neurite extension, proliferation of melanoma cells, stimulation of Ca2+ fluxes, inhibition of PKC-mediated phosphorylation, astrocytosis and axonal proliferation, and inhibition of microtubule assembly. Chromosomal rearrangements and altered expression of the S100b gene are implicated in several neurological, neoplastic, and other types of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, melanoma, and type I diabetes.

S100B faintly binds calcium but binds zinc extremely strongly-distinct binding sites with different affinities exist for both ions on each monomer. Physiological concentrations of potassium ion antagonize the binding of both divalent cations, especially affecting high-affinity calcium-binding sites. S100B binds to and initiates the activation of STK38 by releasing autoinhibitory intramolecular interactions within the kinase. Interaction with AGER after myocardial infarction participates in myocyte apoptosis by activating ERK1/2 and p53/TP53 signaling.

S100Z is a recently discovered member of the S100 protein family. S100 proteins are small dimeric members of the EF-hand superfamily of Ca(2+) binding proteins thought to participate in mediating intracellular Ca(2+) signals by binding to and thereby regulating target proteins in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. S100Z is a 99-amino acid protein capable of interacting with another member of the family, S100P. There are differences in the expression level of S100Z mRNA in various tissues. The highest levels were found in spleen and leukocytes. S100Z gene expression appears to be deregulated in some tumor tissues, compared to expression in their normal counterparts.

SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) is small cytokine belonging to the chemokine family that is officially designated Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12). It is produced in two forms, SDF-1?/CXCL12a and SDF-1?/CXCL12b, by alternate splicing of the same gene. Chemokines are characterized by the presence of four conserved cysteines, which form two disulfide bonds. The CXCL12 proteins belong to the group of CXC chemokines, whose initial pair of cysteines are separated by one intervening amino acid. CXCL12 is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and has been implicated as an important cell co-ordinator during development. During embryogenesis it directs the migration of hematopoietic cells from foetal liver to bone marrow. Mice which were knocked-out for CXCL12 gene were lethal before the birth or within just 1 hour of life. As another role, CXCL12a alters also the electrophysiology of neurons. CXCL12 was shown to be expressend in many tissues in mice (including brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and bone marrow).
The receptor for this chemokine is CXCR4, which was previously called fusin. This CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction used to be considered exclusive (unlike for other chemokines and their receptors), but recently it was suggested that CXCL12 is also bound by CXCR7 receptor.
The gene for CXCL12 is located on human chromosome 10. In human and mouse both CXCL12 and CXCR4 show high identity of sequence: 99% and 90%, respectively.

Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 1 (ARHGDIA) is a member of the RAS gene superfamily, which encodes small guanine nucleotide exchange (GTP/GDP) factors. ARHGDIA, which is localized to the cytoplasm, inhibits the dissociation of GDP from Rho proteins, thus preventing GTP from binding to and consequently activating Rho proteins. In humans, the ARHGDIA can be phosphorylated at Ser 101 by p21-activated kinase, an event that inhibits its activity and may result in positive feedback regulation of several ARHGDIA target proteins.

NEDD8 is part of the ubiquitin family. Human NEDD8 shares 60% amino acid sequence homology to ubiquitin. The NEDD8 system is essential for the regulation of protein degradation pathways involved in cell cycle progression, morphogenesis and tumorigenesis. NEDD8 is involved in cell cycle control and embryogenesis. Covalent attachment to its substrates requires prior activation by the E-1 complex UbE1c- appbp1 and linkage to the E-2 enzyme UbE2m. Attachment of NEDD8 to cullins activates their associated E-3 ubiquitin ligase activity, and thus promotes polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of cyclins and other regulatory proteins.

ARL3 (ARFL3) belongs to the ARF-like protein (ARL) subfamily of small GTPases. ARL3 does not activate the cholera toxin ADP-ribosyltranferase contrasting from ARFs. ARL3 is ubiquitously expressed. ARL3 may have a role in maintaining rod photoreceptor cells and regulating microtubule-dependent processes. ARL3 knockdown leads to altered cell morphology, failure of cytokinesis, acetylation of alpha tubulin and an increase in binucleated cells.

SMAD3 is part of the SMAD family of proteins that mediate signal transduction by the TGF-beta/activin/BMP-2/4 cytokine superfamily from receptor Ser/Thr protein kinases at the cell surface to the nucleus. SMAD3 has a role as a transcriptional modulator activated by TGF-Beta and is involved in the regulation of carcinogenesis. SMAD3 mutations are related with the pathogenesis of human osteoarthritis. SMAD3 expression take part in tumor suppression in the premature stages of gastric carcinogenesis. SMAD3 is involved in nuclear translocation of beta-catenin.