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Annexin A13 (ANXA13) belongs to the annexin protein family, whose members play a role in cytoskeletal interactions, phospholipase inhibition, regulation of cellular growth, and intracellular signal transduction pathways. ANXA13 is believed to be the original originator of the 12 members of vertebrate annexins. ANXA13 expression is decidedly tissue-specific, being expressed only in intestinal and kidney epithelial cells. This expression is linked with a highly differentiated intracellular transport function.

NCALD belongs to the neuronal calcium sensor (NCS) family. NCALD is cytosolic at inactive calcium levels; but, high intracellular calcium levels induce a conformational transformation which exposes the myristoyl group, causing protein association with membranes and partial co-localization with the perinuclear trans-golgi network. NCALD protein is a regulator of signal transduction by G protein-coupled receptor.

SMARCA4 belongs to the SWI/SNF family of proteins and is similar to the brahma protein of Drosophila. Proteins in this family have helicase and ATPase activities and are considered to regulate transcription ofcertain genes by altering the chromatin structure around those genes. SMARCA4 is part of the large ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complex SNF/SWI, which is essential for transcriptional activation of genesnormally repressed by chromatin. In addition, SMARCA4 is able to bind BRCA1, as well as regulating the expression ofthe tumorigenic protein CD44. Moreover, mutations in SMARCA4 cause rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome type 2.

Trypsin inhibitor SPINK1 is secreted from pancreatic acinar cells into pancreatic fluid. SPINK1 has a role in inhibition of trypsin-catalyzed premature initiation of zymogens in the pancreas and the pancreatic duct. Alterations in SPINK1 gene are the cause for tropical calcific and pancreatitis hereditary pancreatitis.

Neurotensin (NTS) is a common precursor for 2 peptides, neuromedin N and neurotensin. Neurotensin is a secreted tridecapeptide, which is generally distributed throughout the central nervous system, and may serve as a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator. NTS is involved in the maintenance of gut structure and function, and in the regulation of fat metabolism. Tissue-specific processing may initiate the formation in some tissues of larger forms of neuromedin N and neurotensin. The large forms may embody more stable peptides which are also biologically active.

Epiregulin is part of the EGF family. Epiregulin functions as a ligand of EGFR, as well as a ligand of most members of the ERBB (v-erb-b2 oncogene homolog) family of tyrosine-kinase receptors.Epiregulin is expressed mostly in the placenta and peripheral blood leukocytes and in specific carcinomas of the bladder, lung, kidney and colon. Epiregulin stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes, hepatocytes, fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells. Epiregulin inhibits the growth of several tumor-derived epithelial cell lines. Human Epiregulin is initially synthesized as a glycosylated 19.0 kDa transmembrane precursor protein, which is processed by proteolytic cleavage to produce a 6.0 kDa mature secreted sequence.

Human Fatty Epidermal Acid Binding Protein FABP also called FABP-5 is a 15 kD member of the intracellular fatty acid binding protein (FABP) family, which is known for the ability to bind fatty acids and related compounds ( bile acids or retinoids). In an internal cavity. The fatty acid binding proteins aP2 (fatty acid binding protein [FABP]-4) and mal1 (EFABP) are closely related and both are expressed in adipocytes.

Fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase domain-containing protein 1 (FAHD1) is a member of the FAH family. FAHD1 is considered to have hydrolase activity and it uses Magnesium and Calcium as cofactors. It seems quite likely that the metal binding sites are involved in an enzymatic activity connected to the catabolism of aromatic amino acids.

TREM1 is a transmembrane receptor protein that is involved in monocytic activation and in the inflammatory response. TREM1 is expressed on the surface of neutrophils, mature monocytes and macrophages. TREM1 stimulates neutrophil and monocyte-mediated inflammatory responses. TREM1 also triggers the release of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines, as well as increased surface expression of cell activation markers. Furthermore, TREM1 is an amplifier of inflammatory responses that are triggered by bacterial and fungal infections and is a fundamental mediator of septic shock. The expression of the soluble form of TREM1 increases during sepsis and can consequently be used as a biological marker for septic shock. TREM1 is strongly expressed in acute inflammatory lesions caused by bacteria and fungi. Increased TREM1 expression on monocytes is related to both infectious and noninfectious inflammatory processes.
TREM1 is vastly expressed in adult liver, lung and spleen than in corresponding fetal tissue. TREM1 is also expressed in the lymph node, placenta, spinal cord and heart tissues. TREM1 expression is more elevated in peripheral blood leukocytes than in the bone marrow and in normal cells than malignant cells. TREM1 is expressed at low levels in the early development of the hematopoietic system and in the promonocytic stage and at high levels in mature monocytes.

GREM2 which is a member of the BMP (bone morphogenic protein) antagonist family takes part in regulating organogenesis, body patterning, and tissue differentiation. GREM2 is an antagonist of BMP and like BMPs, BMP antagonists contain cystine knots and typically form homo- and heterodimers. The CAN (cerberus and dan) subfamily of BMP antagonists, is characterized by a C-terminal cystine knot with an 8-membered ring.

Collagen, a major component of the extracellular matrix, is a fibrous protein that provides tensile strength to tissues giving them structural integrity. Collagen and its derivative, gelatin, have been widely used in medical, pharmaceutical and consumer products for more than 100 years. The supply of these materials, created from animal remains, is both abundant and inexpensive. However, most formulations are not highly purified and have the potential to cause an inflammatory reaction in some product users. In addition, concerns have been raised over the last several years about the potential for contamination of bovine products with the agent that causes mad cow disease and its human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Animal collagens are subject to extensive modifications that continue over the life of the molecule in the extracellular space. These differences influence both the extractability of collagens from tissue and the biophysical characteristics of these collagens. As a result, collagens isolated from tissues exhibit significant lot-to-lot variability and, as bulk materials, are often analytically intractable. Products that contain animal-derived collagen can induce potentially harmful inflammatory or immune responses in humans and pose risk of contamination with viruses or prions, potentially life-threatening pathogens. Recombinant collagens are essentially identical to the native collagen protein thereby reducing the risk of inflammation, immune response, and disease as compared to animal-sourced collagen.

Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain. This I-domain containing alpha integrin combines with the beta 2 chain (ITGB2) to form a leukocyte-specific integrin referred to as macrophage receptor 1 ('Mac-1'), or inactivated-C3b (iC3b) receptor 3 ('CR3'). The alpha M beta 2 integrin is important in the adherence of neutrophils and monocytes to stimulated endothelium, and also in the phagocytosis of complement coated particles. Integrin alpha-m/beta-2 is implicated in various adhesive interactions of monocytes, macrophages and granulocytes as well as in mediating the uptake of complement-coated particles. CD-11b is identical with cr-3, the receptor for the ic3b fragment of the third complement component. CD-11b probably recognizes the r-g-d peptide in c3b. Integrin alpha-m/beta-2 is also a receptor for fibrinogen, factor x and icam1. it recognizes p1 and p2 peptides of fibrinogen gamma chain.

XCL1 is a small cytokine belonging to the XC chemokine family that is also known as lymphotactin. It is located 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 another chemokine called 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.

Cystatins are a superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in both plants and animals. They comprise a group of proteinase inhibitors, widely distributed in tissues and body fluids, and form tight complexes with cysteine proteases such as cathepsin B, H, L and S. Cystatin C, a secreted molecule of this family, is of interest from biochemical, medicine and evolutionary points of view. Cystatin C, with molecular weight of 13260 Da, is composed of 120 amino acids, lacks carbohydrate and has two disulfide bridges located near the carboxyl terminus. Cystatin C is increased in patients with malignant diseases, and is related to the insufficiency of renal function and appears to be a better marker than creatinine. On the other hand, low levels of cystatin C involve cause the breakdown of the elastic laminae and, subsequently, the atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Cystatins are a superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in both plants and animals. They comprise a group of proteinase inhibitors, widely distributed in tissues and body fluids, and form tight complexes with cysteine proteases such as cathepsin B, H, L and S. Cystatin C, a secreted molecule of this family, is of interest from biochemical, medicine and evolutionary points of view. Cystatin C, with molecular weight of 13260 Da, is composed of 120 amino acids, lacks carbohydrate and has two disulfide bridges located near the carboxyl terminus. Cystatin C is increased in patients with malignant diseases, and is related to the insufficiency of renal function and appears to be a better marker than creatinine. On the other hand, low levels of cystatin C involve cause the breakdown of the elastic laminae and, subsequently, the atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

MLEC is a member of the malectin family and is found on endoplasmic reticulum membrane. MLEC is a carbohydrate-binding protein with a high ligand preference for Glc2-N-glycan. MLEC takes part in the initial stages of protein N-glycosylation.

AFP is normally synthesized in the liver, intestinal tract, and yolk sac of the fetus. Antibody to AFP has been shown to be useful in detecting hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and germ cell neoplasms, especially yolk sac tumors.

Human AIF1 protein shares 98% homology/identity with that of rat. AIF1 is expressed in macrophages and neutrophils. The expression of AIF1 transcripts is upregulated by IFN-g in rat macrophages. AIF1 is expressed selectively in human macrophage-like cell lines, and in a subset of CD68(+) macrophages in the interstitial and perivascular spaces of human heart allografts. In quiescent cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells synthesis of AIF1 is induced by IFN-g, IL1b, and conditioned medium of T-cells. Overexpression of AIF1 in human VSMCs results in enhanced growth of these cells. AIF1 is expressed during apoptosis rat mammary gland and ventral prostate tissues. Allograft Inflammatory Factor 1 is expressed by several tumor-associated activated macrophages and microglial cells in rat and human gliomas. There is an evident relationship of AIF1-expressing activated macrophages and microglial cells with tumor malignancy in humans.

Secretoglobin Family 1D, Member 1 (SCGB1D1) belongs to the lipophilin subfamily, part of the uteroglobin superfamily, and is an ortholog of prostatein (which is the major secretory glycoprotein of the rat ventral prostate gland). SCGB1D1 binds androgens and other steroids. In addition SCGB1D1 binds chemotherapeutic drugs during the prostate cancer treatment. Steroid hormones regulate the SCGB1D1 transcription. SCGB1D1 is secreted into extracellular space. SCGB1D1 gene product represents one component of a heterodimeric molecule found in human tears whose elution profile is consistent with prostatein (which is a tetrameric molecule comprised of 3 peptide components in heterodimers).

DCTN2 is a 50kDa subunit of dynactin, which is a macromolecular complex consisting of 10-11 subunits ranging in size from 22 to 150 kDa. Dynactin binds to both microtubules and cytoplasmic dynein. Dynactin is involved in a various cellular functions, including ER-to-Golgi transport, the centripetal movement of lysosomes and endosomes, spindle formation, chromosome movement, nuclear positioning, and axonogenesis. The DCTN2 subunit is present in 4-5 copies per dynactin molecule. DCTN2 is comprised of 3 short alpha-helical coiled-coil domains which mediate association with self or other dynactin subunits. DCTN2 interacts directly with the largest subunit (p150) of dynactin and is able to affix p150 in place. DCTN2 modulates cytoplasmic dynein binding to an organelle, and plays a part in prometaphase chromosome alignment and spindle organization during mitosis. DCTN2 is involved in anchoring microtubules to centrosomes. DCTN2 has a role in synapse formation during brain development.

Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor, Clade A Member 8 (SERPINA8), which is a pre-angiotensinogen or angiotensinogen precursor, is expressed in the liver and cleaved by the enzyme renin in response to lowered blood pressure. The ensuing product, angiotensin I, is at that point cleaved by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) to produce the physiologically active enzyme angiotensin II. SERPINA8 protein is involved in maintaining blood pressure and in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension and preeclampsia. SERPINA8 gene mutations are linked with susceptibility to essential hypertension, and may cause renal tubular dysgenesis, which is a severe disorder of renal tubular development. Defects in the SERPINA8 gene are also linked with non-familial structural atrial fibrillation, and inflammatory bowel disease.

ANXA6 is part of the family of calcium-dependent membrane and phospholipid binding proteins. ANXA6 mediats the endosome aggregation and vesicle fusion in secreting epithelia during exocytosis. ANXA6 correlates with CD21. ANXA6 regulates the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. ANXA6 is differentially expressed in the lumbar spinal cord from rats submitted to peripheral lesion during neonatal period.

Oncomodulin is a member of the superfamily of calmodulin proteins, otherwise known as the EF-hand proteins. It is a high-affinity calcium ion-binding protein. Oncomodulin is an oncodevelopmental protein which is found in early embryonic cells in the placenta and also in tumors.