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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.

Mediator of ErbB2-driven cell motility 1 (MEMO1) is a member of the UPF0103 family. MEMO1 regulates cell migration by transmitting extracellular chemotactic signals to the microtubule cytoskeleton. Furthermore, MEMO1 controls the localization of APC and CLASP2 to the cell membrane, using the regulation of GSK3B activity. MEMO1 is essential for breast carcinoma cell migration, suggesting a key role in tumorigenesis. MEMO1 is also a mediator of ERBB2 signaling.

IL-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine that stimulates the production of IFNgamma from T-cells and natural killer cells, and also induces differentiation of Th1 helper cells. IL-12 is an initiator of cell-mediated immunity.

Ephrin A5 (EFNA5) is a part of the ephrin ligand family which binds the members of ephrin receptor subfamily of tyrosine kinases and stimulates contact-dependent bidirectional signaling into neighboring cells. EFNA5 is mainly expressed in human adult brain, heart, spleen, and ovary and human fetal brain, lung, and kidney.

Poliovirus receptor, also known as PVR, is a Type I transmembrane glycoprotein which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily. PVR catalyzes a big structural modification in the virus which exposes membrane-binding protein chains. PVR regulates helper T cell differentiation as well as allergic diseases. PVR is expressed in many kinds of human cells and has various functions. PVR is potentially functional as a biomarker for cancer development as well as progression. PVR takes a vital part through both immunological & non-immunological mechanisms in pancreatic cancer.

TARC cDNA encodes a 94 amino acid precursor protein with a 23 amino acid residue signal peptide that is cleaved off to generate the 71 amino acid residue mature secreted protein. Along with CC chemokine family members, CCL-17 has approximately 24-29% amino acid sequence identity with RANTES, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3 and I-309. TARC is expressed in thymus, and at a lower level in the lung, colon, and small intestine. TARC is in addition transiently expressed in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Recombinant TARC has been shown to be chemotactic for T cell lines but not monocytes or neutrophils. CCL-17 is a specific functional ligand for CCR4, a receptor that is selectively expressed on T cells. CCL17 is one of a few Cys-Cys (CC) cytokine genes clustered on the q arm of chromosome 16. CCL17 shows chemotactic activity for T lymphocytes, but not monocytes or granulocytes. CCL17 binds to chemokine receptors CCR4 and CCR8. This chemokine plays important roles in T cell development in thymus as well as in trafficking and activation of mature T cells.

Folate Receptor 1, also known as FOLR1, is a part of the folate receptor family whose members bind folic acid. FOLR1 binds to folate and reduced folic acid derivatives and facilitates transfer of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and folate analogs into the cells. FOLR1 is either attaches to membranes through a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol linkage or exists in a soluble form. FOLR1 is also needed for embryonic development and normal cell proliferation.

Discoidin Domain Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 2 (DDR2) which is mostly expressed in mesenchymal cells is a part of the discoidin-like domain containing subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. DDR2 whose ligand is fibrillar collagen rather than a growth factor-like peptide is unique among RTKs. DDR2 regulates cell differentiation, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, cell migration and cell proliferation. DDR2 is also essential for normal bone development.

IL2 is a secreted cytokine that is important for the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes. The receptor of this cytokine is a heterotrimeric protein complex whose gamma chain is also shared by interleukin 4 (IL4) and interleukin 7 (IL7). The expression of this gene in mature thymocytes is monoallelic, which represents an unusual regulatory mode for controlling the precise expression of a single gene. The targeted disruption of a similar gene in mice leads to ulcerative colitis-like disease, which suggests an essential role of this gene in the immune response to antigenic stimuli.

GDNF Family Receptor Alpha 3 (GFRA3) belongs to the GDNF receptor family. GFRA3 creates a signaling receptor complex with RET tyrosine kinase receptor and binds the ligand, artemin (ARTN).

CCL-20 is a chemotactic factor that draws lymphocytes & neutrophils, rathar than monocytes. MIP-3 alpha inhibits proliferation of myeloid progenitors in colony formation assays. MIP3A plays a role in the formation and function of the mucosal lymphoid tissues by attracting lymphocytes and dendritic cells towards epithelial cells. C-terminal processed forms have been shown to be equally chemotactically active for leukocytes. CCL-20 holdes antibacterial activity e.coli atcc 25922 and s.aureus atcc 29213. CCL-20 gene transcription is activated by H. pylori, which activates NF-kappaB through intracellular signal pathway which involves IkappaB kinase and NF-kappaB-inducing kinase. MIP-3 alpha is invloved in chemokine-mediated lymphocyte trafficking during gastric inflammation in Helicobacter infection. CCL-20 expression is involved in the recruitment of CD45R0-positive T cell subsets into the intestinal lamina propria.
MIP-3A is in charge of the advancement of pulpal inflammation through the recruitment of C-C motif Receptor 6-expressing lymphocytes Vaginal epithelial cells respond to factors present in semen by secreting MIP-3 alpha, which increases langerhans cells recruitment during HIV transmission.

FCER2, or Fc epsilon RII, is a receptor for IgE with low affinity, which is critical to regulation of IgE levels. IgE is an antibody isotype that attached to allergy and resistance to parasites. FCER2 is a C-type lectin, contrary to many of the receptors for antibodies. FCER2 is located on activated macrophages, mature B cells, follicular dendritic cells, platelets and eosinophils.

IFIH1 is a DEAD box protein which is upregulated in response to treatment with beta-interferon and a protein kinase C-activating compound, mezerein. Irreversible reprogramming of melanomas can be attained by therapy with both these agents; treatment with either agent alone only achieves reversible differentiation. DEAD box proteins are implicated in several cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure such as translation initiation, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as EBI1 ligand chemokine (ELC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-3-beta (MIP-3-beta). CCL19 is expressed abundantly in thymus and lymph nodes, with moderate levels in trachea and colon and low levels in stomach, small intestine, lung, kidney and spleen. The gene for CCL19 is located on human chromosome 9. This chemokine elicits its effects on its target cells by binding to the chemokine receptor chemokine receptor CCR7. It attracts certain cells of the immune system, including dendritic cells and antigen-engaged B cells.

B-cell CLL/lymphoma 7A (BCL7A) is a member of the BCL7 family. BCL7A is directly involved, with Myc and IgH, in a three-way gene translocation in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line. Thru gene translocation, the N-terminal region of the BCL7A gene is disrupted, which is assumed to be connected to the pathogenesis of a subset of high-grade B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The N-terminal portion involved in the translocation includes the region which shares a compelling sequence similarity with those of BCL7B and BCL7C. Chromosomal anomalies involving BCL7A may be a cause of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Endothelial cells express three different vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, belonging to the family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They are named VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1), VEGFR-3 (Flt-4). Their expression is almost exclusively restricted to endothelial cells, but VEGFR-1 can also be found on monocytes, dendritic cells and on trophoblast cells. The flt-1 gene was first described in 1990. The receptor contains seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular splited tyrosine kinase domain. Compared to VEGFR-2 the Flt-1 receptor has a higher affinity for VEGF but a weaker signaling activity. VEGFR-1 thus leads not to proliferation of endothelial cells, but mediates signals for differentiation. Interestingly a naturally occuring soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) was found in HUVE supernatants in 1996, which is generated by alternative splicing of the flt-1 mRNA. The biological functions of sVEGFR-1 still are not clear, but it seems to be an endogenous regulator of angiogenesis, binding VEGF with the same affinity as the full-length receptor.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. CXCL10 is secreted by several cell types in response to IFN-?. These cell types include monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. CXCL10 has been attributed to several roles, such as chemoattraction for monocytes and T cells, promotion of T cell adhesion to endothelial cells, antitumor activity, and inhibition of bone marrow colony formation and angiogenesis. The gene for CXCL10 is located on human chromosome 4 in a cluster among several other CXC chemokines. This chemokine elicits its effects by binding to the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR3. The three-dimensional crystal structure of this chemokine has been determined under 3 different conditions to a resolution of up to 1.92A.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also known as Monokine induced by gamma INF (MIG). CXCL9 is a T-cell chemoattractant, which is induced by IFN-?. It is closely related to two other CXC chemokines called CXCL10 and CXCL11, whose genes are located near the gene for CXCL9 on human chromosome 4. CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 all elicit their chemotactic functions by interacting with the chemokine receptor CXCR3.

EPH Receptor A2 (EPHA2) is a member of the ephrin receptor subfamily of the protein-tyrosine kinase family. EPHA2 is a protein which binds ephrin-A ligands. EPH and EPH-related receptors are associated with mediating developmental events, particularly in the nervous system. Receptors in the EPH subfamily normally have a single kinase domain and an extracellular region containing a Cys-rich domain and 2 fibronectin type III repeats. The ephrin receptors are divided into two groups based on the similarity of their extracellular domain sequences and their affinities for binding ephrin-A and ephrin-B ligands. EPHA2 gene mutations are the cause of certain genetically-related cataract disorders.

IFN-gamma produced by lymphocytes activated by specific antigens or mitogens.
IFN-gamma, in addition to having antiviral activity, has important immunoregulatory functions, it is a potent activator of macrophages, and has antiproliferative effects on transformed cells and it can potentiate the antiviral and antitumor effects of the type I interferons.

Receptor-associated Protein (aka RAP) averts the GCM-mediated enhancement of axon growth- ApoE-containing lipoproteins which are known to bind to receptors of the LDLr superfamily. In the presence of RAP, GCM doesn’t increase the axon extension rate in relation to base medium. Furthermore, the addition of RAP to the base medium doesn’t change the rate of axon extension. This implies that the growth stimulatory effect of apoE-containing lipoproteins secreted by glial cells is mediated by the LDLr family receptors. RAP annuls the growth stimulatory effect of GCM.

Endothelial cells express three different vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, belonging to the family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They are named VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1), VEGFR-3 (Flt-4). Their expression is almost exclusively restricted to endothelial cells, but VEGFR-1 can also be found on monocytes, dendritic cells and on trophoblast cells. The flt-1 gene was first described in 1990. The receptor contains seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular splited tyrosine kinase domain. Compared to VEGFR-2 the Flt-1 receptor has a higher affinity for VEGF but a weaker signaling activity. VEGFR-1 thus leads not to proliferation of endothelial cells, but mediates signals for differentiation. Interestingly a naturally occuring soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) was found in HUVE supernatants in 1996, which is generated by alternative splicing of the flt-1 mRNA. The biological functions of sVEGFR-1 still are not clear, but it seems to be an endogenous regulator of angiogenesis, binding VEGF with the same affinity as the full-length receptor.