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BAK1 is a member of the BCL2 protein family. The BCL2 family members form oligomers or heterodimers and act as anti- or pro-apoptotic regulators which are involved in a wide variety of cellular activities. The BAK1 gene encodes a receptor-like kinase (RLK) with a putative extracellular domain, a single transmembrane domain, an intracellular-juxtamembrane domain, and a kinase domain. BAK1 localizes to mitochondria, and functions to induce apoptosis. BAK1 interacts with and accelerates the opening of the mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel, leading to a loss in membrane potential and the release of cytochrome c. Furthermore, BAK1 interacts with the tumor suppressor P53 after exposure to cell stress. BAK1 expression is linked to the progression of Prostate cancer.

Borrelia belongs to a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. Borrelia causes borreliosis, which is a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted mainly by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species. Of the 36 known species of Borrelia, 12 are distinguished to cause Lyme disease or borreliosis and are transmitted by ticks. The main Borrelia species causing Lyme disease are Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. The Borrelia genus members have a linear chromosome which is about 900 kbp in length as well as an excess of both linear and circular plasmids in the 5-220 kbp size range. The plasmids are atypical, as compared to most bacterial plasmids, since they contain many paralogous sequences, a large number of pseudogenes and, in some cases, essential genes. Moreover, a number of the plasmids have features suggesting that they are prophages.

Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins belong to the family of chemotactic cytokines known as chemokines. In humans, there are two major forms, MIP-1a and MIP-1b that are now also named CCL3 and CCL4. Both factors are produced by macrophages after they are stimulated with bacterial endotoxins. MIP-1a and MIP-1b activate human granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils) which can lead to acute neutrophilic inflammation. MIP-1a and MIP-1b induce synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-alpha from fibroblasts and macrophages. CCL3 and CCL4 genes are both located on human chromosome 17.

MSH6 deficiency result in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome). HNPCC is an autosomal, dominantly inherited disease linked with rise in cancer susceptibility. MSH6 is is known by its familial predisposition to premature onset colorectal carcinoma (crc).
MSH6 is involved in repairing DNA. MSH6 protein repairs mistakes that occure during DNA replication in preparation for cell division. The MSH6 protein bonds with MSH2 protein and form an active protein complex which recognizes specific parts on the DNA where mistakes have been made during DNA replication. MLH1-PMS2 protein complex, afterwards takes over with the repair. MSH6 gene is part of the set of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes.

TGFB2 is a 27.08 kDa protein having two identical 118 amino acid peptide chains linked by a single disulfide bond. TGFB2 is part of a family of five related cytokines that have an extensive variation of normal and neoplastic cells, indicating the importance of these homo-dimmer proteins as multi-functional regulators of cellular activity. The three mammalian isoforms of TGF-β (TGFb1, TGFb2 and TGFb3) signal through the same receptor and stimulate similar biological responses. They are involved in physiological processes as embryogenesis, tissue remodelling and wound healing.

DDIT4 has a role in the regulation of reactive oxygen species. DDIT4 is upregulated at the transcriptional level as a reaction to stress due to DNA damage and glucocorticoid treatment. DDIT4 negatively regulates the mammalian target of Rapamycin, a serine/threonine kinase frequently referred to as mTOR. DDIT4 is vital in the coupling of extra- and intracellular cues to mTOR regulation.

HtrA2 also called Omi is a mammalian serine protease at high temperatures and has a chaperone activity at low temperature. The full-length HtrA2 is synthesized as a precursor protein and then targeted to the mitochondria where it is matured by the removal of N-terminal 133 residues. Mature HtrA2 consists of a putative transmembrane domain; an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP)-binding motif; a single C-terminal PDZ domain that mediates protein-protein interactions. Recently, HtrA2 has known to contribute both to caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death.

Ferric Uptake Regulator protein NCBI Accession No.: NP_415209 is a DNA-binding protein which controls iron-responsive genes. Ferric Uptake Regulator has a molecular mass of 17-kDa and plays a role in global transcriptional repressor that in the existence of iron regulates functions as diverse as iron acquisition, oxidative stress, and virulence. In Escherichia coli, members of the Ferric Uptake Regulator family regulate the expression of at least 100 genes that function in processes as diverse as the biosynthesis and transport of siderophores, the expression of virulence factors, the alleviation of oxidative and NO-induced stress, and the inhibition of ferritin production through the expression of RyhB.

Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus, it is transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus. The Zika virus is related to the dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. Much like the other flaviviruses, Zika virus is enveloped and icosahedral and has a nonsegmented, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome. Zika fever is an infection, which often causes no symptoms or only mild ones, like a mild form of dengue fever, and it is treated by rest. As of February 2016, there has been mounting evidence that Zika fever in pregnant women can cause abnormal brain development in their fetuses by mother-to-child transmission, which may result in miscarriage or microcephaly, however it is not yet known whether Zika virus causes microcephaly. Furthermore, a connection has been established with neurologic conditions in infected adults, including Guillain–Barre syndrome. Since the 1950s, Zika virus has been detected only within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia. Between the years 2013 and 2014, Zika virus has spread eastward across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, and Easter Island, and in 2015 to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, where the Zika outbreak has reached pandemic levels.

Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) is a member of the type I cytokine receptor family. TSLPR alongside the interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) activate STAT3, STAT5, and JAK2 pathways, which is regulated processes such as cell proliferation and development of the hematopoietic system. Two transcript variants encoding dissimilar isoforms have been found for this gene. TSLPR is expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, kidney and adult and fetal liver.

PHPT1 is a member of the Janus protein familyand is 125 amino acid long. PHPT1 appears as a monomer in the cytoplasm and is an EDTA-insensitive phosphohistidine phosphatase. Overexpression of PHPT1 resolts in specific phosphohistidine phosphatase activity towards phosphopeptide I, with no activity detected towards phosphotyrosine, phosphothreonine and phosphoserine peptides.

Mouse Lungkine/CXCL15 (WECHE) belongs to the ELR motif-containing CXC chemokines. The mouse Lungkine gene has been mapped to chromosome 5. The cDNA of mouse Lungkine encodes a 166 amino acids (aa) protein with a 25 aa predicted signal peptide and a 141 aa mature protein with an exceptionally long C-terminal tail which extends beyond beyond the chemokine fold. Lungkine protein is secreted into bronchoalveolar space and is involved in lung-specific neutrophils trafficking. Furthermore, studies in Lungkine knockout mice propose that Lungkine is an imperative mediator of neutrophil migration from the lung parenchyma into the airspace. In addition, Lungkine is chemotactic for bone marrow progenitor cells and modulates hematopoietic cell differentiation. By Northern blot analysis and in-situ hybridization, Lungkine transcripts have only been specifically detected in the adult and fetal lung, and its expression is up-regulated under inflammatory conditions. There is a 35% aa sequence similarity between the mouse Lungkine and the human ENA-78 and a 31% similarity with the human IL-8.

The FGFs are a family of more than 20 small (~17–26 kDa) secreted peptides. The initial characterization of these proteins focused on their ability to stimulate fibroblast proliferation. This mitogenic activity was mediated through FGF receptors (FGFRs) 1, 2, or 3. A fourth closely related tyrosine kinase receptor (FGFR4) was able to bind the FGFs but did not lead to a mitogenic response.
FGFs modulate cellular activity via at least 5 distinct subfamilies of high-affinity FGF receptors (FGFRs): FGFR-1, -2, -3, and -4, all with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity and, except for FGFR-4, multiple splice isoforms, and FGFR-5, which lacks an intracellular kinase domain. There is growing evidence that FGFRs can be important for regulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis. The overexpression of a dominant negative form of FGFR-1 in ? cells leads to diabetes in mice, which thus implies that proper FGF signaling is required for normal ? cell function and glycemia maintenance. FGFR-2 appears to be a key molecule during pancreatic development. Moreover, FGFR-4 has been implicated in cholesterol metabolism and bile acid synthesis.
FGF-19, has been shown to cause resistance to diet-induced obesity and insulin desensitization and to improve insulin, glucose, and lipid profiles in diabetic rodents. Since these effects, at least in part, are mediated through the observed changes in metabolic rates, FGF-19 can be considered as a regulator of energy expenditure.
FGF-21 is preferentially expressed in liver, but an exact knowledge of FGF-21 bioactivity and its mode of action have been lacking to date. FGF-21 is a potent activator of glucose uptake on adipocytes, protects animals from diet-induced obesity when overexpressed in transgenic mice, and lowers blood glucose and triglyceride levels when therapeutically administered to diabetic rodents.

A 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

TBC1D1 belongs to a family of proteins sharing a 180-200 a.a TBC domain having a role in regulating cell growth and differentiation of various tissues. These proteins share significant homology with TRE2, yeast Bub2, and CDC16. TBC1D1 function as a GTPase-activating protein for Rab family proteins. TBC1D1 is involved in the trafficking and translocation of GLUT4-containing vesicles. Among the diseases associated with TBC1D1 are tuberculous meningitis, and meningitis.

LRPAP1 is a member of the alpha-2-MRAP family. LRPAP1 cooperates with LRP1/alpha-2-macroglobulin receptor and glycoprotein 330. LRPAP1, located on the cell surface, creates a complex with the alpha 2 macroglobulin receptor light and heavy chains and has part in the pathogenesis of membrane glomerular nephritis.

TNFR2 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR2 is receptor with high affinity for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and approximately 5-fold lower affinity for homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha. TNFR2 mediates the majority of the metabolic effects of TNF-alpha. In addition, knockout studies in mice propose a role for TNFR2 in protecting neurons from apoptosis by stimulating antioxidative pathways. TNFR2 expression might have a significant role in the angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and metastasis of Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast.
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. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women. TNFR2 and TNFR1 form a heterocomplex which mediates the recruitment of 2 anti-apoptotic proteins, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2, which possess E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. IAPs’ function in TNF-receptor signaling is unknown; nevertheless, c-IAP1 is believed to potentiate TNF-induced apoptosis by the ubiquitination and degradation of TNF-receptor-associated factor 2, which mediates anti-apoptotic signals. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.

Uromodulin is the most abundant protein in normal urine. Its secretion in urine follows proteolytic cleavage of the ectodomain of its glycosyl phosphatidylinosital-anchored counterpart that is situated on the luminal cell surface of the loop of Henle. Uromodulin plays a role as a constitutive inhibitor of calcium crystallization in renal fluids. Secretion of uromodulin in urine provides protection against urinary tract infections caused by uropathogenic bacteria. Defects in Uromodulin expression are associated with the autosomal dominant renal disorders medullary cystic kidney disease-2 (MCKD2) and familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy (FJHN). These disorders are characterized by juvenile onset of hyperuricemia, gout, and progressive renal failure. While several transcript variants may exist for this gene, the full-length natures of only two have been described to date. UMOD is involved in regulating the circulating activity of cytokines as it binds to il-1, il-2 and tnf with high affinity.

Activins are homodimers or heterodimers of the different β subunit isoforms, part of the TGFβ family. Mature Activin A has two 116 amino acids residues βA subunits (βA-βA). 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.

Human TNFRSF10A is a type 1 transmembrane protein in the TNF R superfamily. TNFRSF10A is not expressed in rodents. The trimeric ligand Trail binds TNFRSF10A and induces apoptosis, and recombinant, soluble forms of the receptor inhibit Trail-induced apoptosis. TNFRSF10A is expressed generally in damaged, infected, and malignant cells. TNFRSF10A functions in immune surveillance, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells but not normal cells.

Tumor necrosis factor is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction. TNF is mainly secreted by macrophages.
TNF causes apoptotic cell death, cellular proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, tumorigenesis and viral replication, TNF is also involved in lipid metabolism, and coagulation. TNF's primary role is in the regulation of immune cells.
Dysregulation and, in particular, overproduction of TNF have been implicated in a variety of human diseases- autoimmune diseases, and cancer.

BCL2L2 promotes cell survival and blocks dexamethasone-induced apoptosis. BCL2L2 mediates survival of postmitotic Sertoli cells by suppressing death-promoting activity of BAX. BCL2L2 is part of the BCL-2 protein family which form hetero- or homodimers and play an important role as anti and proapoptotic regulators. BCL2L2 causes reduced cell apoptosis under cytotoxic conditions. BCL2L2 is involved in the survival of NGF- and BDNF-dependent neurons. BCL2L2 plays an important role in adult spermatogenesis.