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IGFBP1 is a member of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) family and encodes a protein with an IGFBP domain and a thyroglobulin type-I domain. The protein binds both insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) I and II and circulates in the plasma. Binding of this protein prolongs the half-life of the IGFs and alters their interaction with cell surface receptors. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized.

IGFBP3 is a member of the IGFBP family and encodes a protein with an IGFBP domain and a thyroglobulin type-I domain. The protein forms a ternary complex with IGFALS and either IGF I or II. In this form, it circulates in the plasma, prolonging the half-life of IGFs and altering their interaction with cell surface receptors. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized.

Eukaryotic initiation factor 4A-III (EIF4A3) is a member of the DEAD box helicase family and eIF4A subfamily. DEAD box proteins, distinguished by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD), are putative RNA helicases. These proteins are involved in several cellular processes including alteration of RNA secondary structure, such as translation initiation, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly. EIF4A3 is a part of a splicing-dependent multiprotein exon junction complex (EJC) accumulated at splice junction on mRNAs. Based upon their distribution patterns, some members of the DEAD box helicase family are thought to be involved in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and cellular growth and division.

Neurexophilin 1 (NXPH1) is a part of the neurexophilin family which encodes a secreted protein with a variable N terminal domain, an extremely conserved, N-glycosylated central domain, a short linker region, and a cysteine-rich Cterminal domain. NXPH1 shapes a very tight complex with alpha neurexins, a group of proteins which promote adhesion among dendrites and axons.

Bestrophin 1 (BEST1) is a part of the bestrophin gene family and is also forms calcium-activated chloride-ion channels in epithelial. This small gene family is characterized by proteins with a highly conserved N-terminus with 4-6 transmembrane domains. BEST1 is extremely permeable to bicarbonate.

Family with Sequence Similarity 84, Member B (FAM84B) coprecipitated with a downstream effector of RAS, CRAF. Binding of FAM83B with CRAF interrupted CRAF/14-3-3 interactions and increased CRAF membrane localization, causing elevated MAPK and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. FAM84B is an oncogene and possibly represents a new target for therapeutic intervention.

Fibroblast growth factor 16 (FGF16) is a member of the large FGF family, whose members are heparin-binding growth factors with a core 120 amino acid (a.a.) FGF domain which allows for a common tertiary structure. Human FGF16 cDNA is a 207 aa precursor protein with one N-linked glycosylation site. FGF16 though lacking a typical signal peptide, is efficiently produced by mechanisms other than the classical protein secretion pathway. FGF16 is expressed in cardiac cells and is required for proper heart development. FGF16 gene mutation was also observed in individuals with metacarpal 4-5 fusion. FGF16 has an imperative role in the regulation of embryonic development, cell proliferation and cell differentiation, and is required for normal cardiomyocyte proliferation and heart development.

The 14-3-3 family of proteins plays a key regulatory role in signal transduction, checkpoint control, apoptotic and nutrient-sensing pathways. 14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed. There are at least seven isoforms that have been identified in mammals. The 14-3-3gamma, a subtype of the 14-3-3 family of proteins, was thought to be brain and neuron-specific. It has been shown to interact with RAF1 and protein kinase C, proteins involved in various signal transduction pathways.

Coagulation factor VII is a vitamin K-dependent factor which is essential for hemostasis. It circulates in the blood as a zymogen which is later converted to an active form by factor IXa, factor Xa, factor XIIa, or thrombin by minor proteolysis. Upon activation of factor VII, a heavy chain with a catalytic domain and a light chain with 2 EGF-like domains are generated, and the two chains are held together by a disulfide bond. The presence of factor III and calcium ions further activates the coagulation cascade by converting factor IX to factor IXa and/or factor X to factor Xa. Alternative splicing of factor VII results in 2 transcripts. Defects in coagulation factor VII can cause coagulopathy. Coagulation factor VII initiates the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Minor proteolysis converts factor VII to factor VIIa by factors Xa, XIIa, IXa, or thrombin. Factor VIIa also converts factor IX to factor IXa in the presence of tissue factor and calcium.

Granzyme-B (GZMB) is essential for target cell lysis in cell-mediated immune responses. GZMB is related to an activation cascade of caspases responsible for apoptosis execution. GZMB cuts caspase-3, -7, -9 and 10 to activate enzymes mediating apoptosis.

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.

ST6GAL1 also known as ST6 Beta-Galactosamide Alpha-2,6-Sialyltranferase 1, is part of the glycosyltransferase family 29. ST6GAL1 is a type II membrane protein which catalyzes the transfer of sialic acid from CMP-sialic acid to galactose-containing substrates. Furthermore, ST6GAL1 is normally found in the Golgi however it can be proteolytically processed to a soluble form, ST6GAL1 is also involved in the generation of the cell-surface carbohydrate determinants as well differentiation antigens HB-6, CD75, and CD76.

Pleckstrin Homology Domain Containing Family F Member 2, also known as PLEKHF2, contains 1 FYVE-type zinc finger and 1 PH domain. PLEKHF2 takes part in early endosome fusion upstream of RAB5, regulates receptor trafficking and fluid-phase transport. PLEKHF2 increases cellular sensitivity to TNF-induced apoptosis.

Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3) belongs to the DKK protein family including Dkk-1, 2, 3 and -4. DKK3 is a 350 amino acid secreted glycoprotein which is comprised of an N-terminal signal peptide and 2 conserved cysteine-rich domains that are separated by a 12 amino acid linker region. DKK3 is involved in embryonic development through its inhibition of the WNT signaling pathway. DKK3 gene expression is decreased in a variety of cancer cell lines and it may act as a tumor suppressor gene.

Eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (EEF2K) is threonine kinase which regulates protein synthesis by means of controlling the rate of peptide chain elongation. Upon activation through a diversity of upstream kinases including AMPK or TRPM7, EEF2K phosphorylates the elongation factor EEF2 at a sole site, renders it unable to bind ribosomes and therefore inactive. In turn, the rate of protein synthesis is being reduced.

Granzyme H also known as GZMH belongs to the peptidase S1 family. GZMH is an essential part for HBV eradication. The HBx protein, which is required for the replication of HBV, is cleaved at Met(79) by GZMH. Furthermore, GZMH inhibitor can abolish GZNH- as well as lymphokine-activated killer cell-mediated HBx degradation and HBV clearance. A HBx-deficient HBV is resistant to GzmH- in addition to lymphokine-activated killer cell-mediated viral clearance.

TNFRSF17 is a receptor for tnfsf13b/blys/baff and tnfsf13/april. TNFRSF17 promotes b-cell survival and plays a role in the regulation of humoral immunity. TNFRSF17 activates nf-kappa-b and jnk. TNFRSF17 is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFRSF17 is expressed in mature B lymphocytes, and is invloved in B cell development and autoimmune response. TNFRSF17 specifically binds to the tumor TNFSF13B/TALL-1/BAFF, which causes NF-kappaB and MAPK8/JNK activation. TNFRSF17 binds to a variety of TRAF family members, and therefore transduces signals for cell survival and proliferation. TNFRSF17 is a type III membrane protein having 1 extracellular cysteine rich domain. Within the TNFRSF, it shares the highest homology with TACI. BCMA and TACI have both been shown to bind to APRIL and BAFF, members of the TNF ligand superfamily. BCMA expression has been found in immune organs. TNFRSF17 appears to be localized to the Golgi compartment. The binding of BCMA to APRIL or BAFF has been shown to stimulate IgM production in peripheral blood B cells and increase the survival of cultured B cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important signaling protein involved in vessel formation As its name implies, VEGF activity has been mostly studied on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g. stimulation monocyte/macrophage migration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ). VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces vasculogenesis and endothelial cell production, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesis and cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor. VEGF is located in normal cartilage though only osteoarthritic cartilage expresses the VEGF receptors, NP1, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. The VEGF level in the culture media from OA chondrocytes was more than 3 folds higher than in media from normal chondrocytes

Dendritic cell and monocyte chemokinelike protein (DMC/CXCL17/VEGF-correlated chemokine 1/VCC1), is a secreted molecule with a size and predicted 3-dimensional folding pattern similar to that of chemokines CXCL8/IL8 and CXCL14/BRAK. CXCL17 is constitutively generated by airway and intestinal epithelium. CXCL17 induces the chemotaxis of quiescent, but not LPS-activated peripheral blood monocytes and dendritic cells, and it also binds these cells specifically. The expression of CXCL17 is increased in endothelial cells when they are induced to form tubes in vitro. CXCL17, CXCL1/GRO and CXCL8/IL8 which have roles in angiogenesis, show significantly correlated expression with that of VEGF in primary lung, breast and esophageal tumors. Therefore, CXCL17 is suggested to have a role in tumor angiogenesis. The mature Rat CXCL17 shares 82%, 71% amino acid sequence identity with mouse, human CXCL17, respectively.

NFKB inhibitor interacting Ras-like 2 (NKIRAS2) is an inhibitor of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. NKIRAS2 is similar to the Ras-like small GTPases which associate with IkappaB. The Ras-like proteins- NKIRAS1 and NKIRAS2, interact with the PEST domains of I?B? and I?B? and reduce their rate of degradation. NKIRAS2 is an atypical Ras-like protein which functions as a potent regulator of NF-kappa-B activity by preventing the degradation of NF-kappa-B inhibitor beta (NFKBIB) by most signals, explaining why NFKBIB is more impervious to degradation.

C1QTNF1 is a novel adipokine, providing a significant framework to further address the physiological functions and mechanisms of the action of this family of secreted glycoproteins in normal and disease states. C1QTNF1 increases the production of aldosterone. C1QTNF1 is vastly expressed in obese subjects as well as up-regulated in hypertensive patients, C1QTNF1 is identified molecular link between obesity and hypertension. C1QTNF1 expression may be associated with a low-grade chronic inflammation status in adipose tissues.

This gene is a member of the EPO/TPO family and encodes a secreted, glycosylated cytokine composed of four alpha helical bundles. The protein is found in the plasma and regulates red cell production by promoting erythroid differentiation and initiating hemoglobin synthesis. This protein also has neuroprotective activity against a variety of potential brain injuries and antiapoptotic functions in several tissue types.

TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR or C12ORF5), is a 270 amino acid protein induced by the p53 tumor suppressor pathway that functions to protect against oxidative stress. C12ORF5 specifically functions to block glycolysis, leading the pathway to the pentose phosphate shunt and decreasing the intracellular concentration of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, it is thought that C12ORF5 may act to modulate the apoptotic response to p53, thus allowing cells to survive mild or transient stresses.

C9orf103 is a member of the gluconokinase gntK/gntV family. C9orf103 takes part in carbohydrate acid metabolism and D-gluconate degradation.