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Based on sequence similarity to VEGF-A, a gene encoding a VEGF homologue has recently been discovered in the genome of Orf virus (OV) (Lyttle et al., 1994). Different isolates of Orf virus show significant amino acid sequence similarity to VEGF-A and described as a viral virulence factor that appears to be derived from captured host genes. All eight cysteine residues of the central cysteine knot motif characteristic of members of the VEGF family are conserved among other residues in the VEGF-E proteins (Dehio et al., 1999; Wise et al., 1999). Alignment of all mammalian VEGF sequences indicated that VEGF-E is distinct from the previously described VEGFs but most closely related to VEGF-A. Like VEGF-A, VEGF-E was found to bind with high affinity to VEGF receptor-2 (KDR) resulting in receptor autophosphorylation, whilst in contrast to VEGF-A, VEGF-E can not bind to VEGF receptor-1 (Flt-1). Furthermore VEGF-E can also not bind to VEGF receptor-3 (FLT-4). Therefore VEGF-E is a potent angiog

Fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) is a member of the large FGF family which has at least 23 members. FGF18 is a binding growth factor with a core 120 amino acid FGF domain which allows for a common tertiary structure. FGFs are expressed in the course of the embryonic development and in restricted adult tissues. FGF-18 is an indispensable regulator of long bone and calvarial development. FGF-18 signals via FGFR 1c, 2c, 3c, and 4.

ANXA1 is part of the family of Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid binding proteins which have a Mw between 35kDa-40kDa and are situated on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. ANXA1 protein has a Mw of 40kDa, with phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity to bind from two to four calcium ions with high affinity. Since phospholipase A2 is necessary for the biosynthesis of the potent mediators of inflammation, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, ANXA1 might have potential anti-inflammatory activity. ANXA1 promotes membrane fusion and iplays a role in exocytosis. The recognition of ANXA1 protein by immunocytochemical leads a simple, highly sensitive and specific assay for diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia.

Homeobox protein SIX1 (SIX1) belongs to the SIX gene family. SIX1 is characterized by a divergent DNA-binding homeodomain and an upstream SIX domain, which is involved both in determining DNA-binding specificity and in mediating protein-protein interactions. SIX1 has a role in vertebrate and insect development or in the maintenance of the differentiated state of tissues.

Streptavidin is a tetrameric protein secreted by Streptomyces avidinii which binds firmly to biotin. Streptavidin is widely used in molecular biology through its unique high affinity for the vitamin biotin. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the biotin-streptavidin complex is about ~10-15 mol/L. The strong affinity recognition of biotin and biotinylated molecules has made streptavidin one of the most important components in diagnostics and laboratory kits. The streptavidin/biotin system has one of the biggest free energies of association of yet observed for noncovalent binding of a protein and small ligand in aqueous solution (K_assoc = 10**14). The complexes are also extremely stable over a wide range of temperature and pH.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that was previously called GRO1 oncogene, Neutrophil-activating protein 3 (NAP-3) and melanoma growth stimulating activity, alpha (MSGA-a). It is secreted by human melanoma cells, has mitogenic properties and is implicated in melanoma pathogenesis. CXCL1 is expressed by macrophages, neutrophils and epithelial cells, and has neutrophil chemoattractant activity. CXCL1 plays a role in spinal cord development by inhibiting the migration of oligodendrocyte precursors and is involved in the processes of angiogenesis, inflammation, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. This chemokine elicits its effects by signaling through the chemokine receptor CXCR2. The gene for CXCL1 is located on human chromosome 4 amongst genes for other CXC chemokines.

EIF4E is part of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4 families, controls translation of maternal mRNAs in early embryos before the onset of zygotic transcription. EIF4E identifies and binds to the 7 methyl GTP cap structure of eukaryotic mRNAs, thus modulates the initiation of translation. EIF4E enables ribosome binding by inducing the unwinding of the mRNAs secondary structures.

Myxoma Resistance Protein 1 (MX1) is a member of the dynamin family and contains 1 GED domain. MX1 is an Interferon-induced dynamin-like GTPase with antiviral activity against rabies virus (RABV), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and murine pneumonia virus (MPV). MX1 is ubiquitously expressed. MX1 is induced by type I and type III interferons.

Glutathione S-transferase, also known as GST, is an antioxidant enzyme. It is the primary defense mechanism from reactive oxygen in the cell. The enzyme GST reduces hydroperoxides of lipids via a Se-independent glutathione peroxidase actions. GST detoxifies peroxidation of lipids bi-products, for example 4-hydroxynonenal.

LIN28 plays an important role as a 'translational enhancer', leading specific mRNAs to polysomes and therefore increasing the competence of protein synthesis. LIN28 is a marker of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells and it enhances the efficiency of the formation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from human fibroblasts. LIN28 binds to the let-7 pre-miRNA and blocks production of the mature let-7 microRNA in mouse embryonic stem cells. Overexpression of LIN28 is associated with human germ-cell tumors.

γ-synuclein (Originally known as a breast cancer specific gene product, BCSG1) is an acidic neuronal protein of 127 amino acids. Gamma-Synuclein is a member of the Synuclein protein family, which is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. High levels of Gamma-Synuclein have been found in advanced breast carcinomas suggesting a correlation between overexpression of SNCG and breast tumor development. Synuclein-Gamma is found mostly in the peripheral nervous system (in primary sensory neurons, sympathetic neurons, and motor neurons) and retina. SNCG is also identified in the brain, ovarian tumors, and in the olfactory epithelium. SNCG expression in breast tumors is a marker for tumor progression. A modification in the expression of gamma-synuclein has been detected in the retina of Alzheimer''s patients.

IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine. This cytokine can induce the IFN-gamma production of T cells. The combination of this cytokine and IL12 has been shown to inhibit IL4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production, and enhance IgG2a production of B cells. IL-18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine, and thus negatively regulate its biological activity.

Platelet factor-4 is a 70-amino acid protein that is released from the alpha-granules of activated platelets and binds with high affinity to heparin. Its major physiologic role appears to be neutralization of heparin-like molecules on the endothelial surface of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting local antithrombin III activity and promoting coagulation. As a strong chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts, PF4 probably has a role in inflammation and wound repair. Oncostatin-A is a member of the CXC chemokine family. Human PF4 is used for the proof of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Furthermore it is used as an inhibitor in the angiogenesis during tumor therapy.

Heat shock prtein beta-6, also known as HSPB6 is a member of the small heat shock protein (HSP20) family. This locus encodes a heat shock protein. HSPB6 plays a role in smooth muscle relaxation. Among the diseases which are associated with HSPB6: Cerebral hemorrhage and Cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

EIF3K is a member of the eIF3 subunit K family. EIF3K is the smallest subunit of eIF3 and it interacts with a number of other subunits of eIF3 and the 40S ribosomal subunit. EIF3K is conserved among high eukaryotes, including mammals, insects, and plants, and it is universally expressed in human tissues. EIF3K is distributed both in nucleus and cytoplasm and colocalized with cyclin D3, a regulatory subunit of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4).

GOT1 is a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme which exists in cytoplasmic and mitochondrial forms, GOT1 and GOT2, which participate in amino acid metabolism and the urea and tricarboxylic acid cycles. Both enzymes are homodimeric and show close homology.

Mouse MIP-1 gamma is 75% identical in its amino acid compostion as compared to the rat specie. MIP-1 gamma is a CC chemokine localized in murine blood and a widespread range of murine tissues, without having an identified human homolog. MIP-1 gamma signals through the CCR1 receptor. MIP-1 gamma chemoattracts neutrophils and also inhibits colony formation of bone marrow myeloid immature progenitors. MIP-1 gamma has six cysteines including the four highly conserved cysteine residues present in CC chemokines.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells. It is also synthesized by endothelial cells, which store IL-8 in their storage vesicles, the Weibel-Palade bodies. When first encountering an antigen, the primary cells to encounter it are the macrophages who phagocytose the particle. Upon processing, they release chemokines to signal other immune cells to come in to the site of inflammation. IL-8 is one such chemokine. It serves as a chemical signal that attracts neutrophils at the site of inflammation, and therefore is also known as Neutrophil Chemotactic Factor.

Sorting nexin-5 (SNX5) belongs to the sorting nexin family, whose members contains a phox (PX) domain, (which is a phosphoinositide binding domain) and are involved in intracellular trafficking. SNX5 protein is a component of the mammalian retromer complex, which facilitates cargo recovery from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network. SNX5 binds to the Fanconi anemia, complementation group A protein.

SPRY domain-containing SOCS box protein 1 (SPSB1) belongs to the SOCS box protein subfamily. SPSB1 includes a central SPRY domain and a C-terminal SOCS box. Even though, some of the SOCS protein subfamilies function as adaptors for a large family of ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligases to regulate certain signaling pathways, the function of the SSB subfamily remains to be determined. SPSB1 may have an imperative role in enhancing the HGF-induced Erk-Elk-1-SRE pathway. SPSB1 overexpression exhibited no effect on the basal level or epidermal growth factor-induced SRE-luciferase activity.

Mortality factor 4-like protein 1 (MORF4L1) is a member of the MRG family. MORF4L1 is a component of the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex which is involved in transcriptional activation of select genes mostly by acetylation of nucleosomal histones H4 and H2A. MORF4L1 is a transcription factor expressed in various human tissues, and its orthologs have been found in many other eukaryotes which comprise the MRG protein family. The C-terminal part of MORF4L1 forms a conserved MRG domain that is involved in interactions with the tumor suppressor protein retinoblastoma and a nucleoprotein.

Uroporphyrinogen III synthase (UROS) is an enzyme involved in the 4th step of porphyrin metabolism and in the conversion of hydroxymethyl bilane into uroporphyrinogen III. Defects in the UROS protein can cause molecular lesions which lead to the autosomal recessive Gunther disease, otherwise known as congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP).