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GDF-5 is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. Mutations in this gene are associated with acromesomelic dysplasia, Hunter-Thompson type; brachydactyly, type C; and chondrodysplasia, Grebe type. These associations confirm that the gene product plays a role in skeletal development.

Excess adiposity is the most important risk in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Adipose tissue produces several proteins (adipocytokines) such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor-?, and IL-6, that modulate insulin sensitivity and appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms by which fat tissue induces insulin resistance and the role of adipocytokines in the pathogenesis of T2DM have not been well established.
Visfatin, also known as pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF), is a cytokine that is highly expressed in visceral fat and was originally isolated as a secreted factor that synergizes with IL-7 and stem cell factors to promote the growth of B cell precursors. Visfatin homologs have been identified in carp, invertebrate mollusks, and bacteria, as well as in vertebrates, including humans and the mouse. It has been postulated to play a role in innate immunity.
Visfatin exerts insulin-mimetic effects that are dose-dependent and quantitatively similar to those of insulin in stimulating muscle and adipocyte glucose transport, and in inhibiting hepatocyte glucose production. Intravenous injection of recombinant visfatin in mice decreased plasma glucose in a dose-dependent fashion. In keeping with its insulin-mimetic effects, visfatin was as effective as insulin in reducing hyperglycemia in insulin-deficient diabetic mice. Visfatin was also found to be bound to and activate insulin receptor, causing receptor phosphorylation and the activation of downstream signaling molecules. However, visfatin and insulin did not compete for binding to the insulin receptor, indicating that the two proteins were recognized by different regions of the receptor. Thus, visfatin might play a role in glucose homeostasis and dysregulation in biosynthesis or signal transduction, and might contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes.

Placental Lactogen is a polypeptide hormone that is produced by the Syncytiotrophoblasts of the Placenta, also known as chorionic somatomammotropin. It has both Growth Hormone and Prolactin activities on growth, lactation, and luteal steroid production. In women, placental lactogen secretion begins soon after implantation and increases to 1 g or more a day in late pregnancy. Placental lactogen is also an insulin antagonist.
Placental Lactogen Ovine is also capable of activating human and other heterologous GH receptors but not ruminat GH receptors.

Basic Leucine Zipper Transcription Factor ATF-Like 3 (BATF3) which is localizes to the nucleus, contains 1 bZIP domain. BATF3 functions as a negative regulator of AP-1-mediated transcription when interacting with c-Jun, particularly by heterodimerizing with c-Jun and binding to DNA response elements. BATF3 also takes part in repression of interleukin-2.

IL-1 alpha is produced by activated macrophages, stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing il-2 release, b-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. IL1A proteins are involved in the inflammatory response, being identified as endogenous pyrogens, and are reported to stimulate the release of prostaglandin from synovial cells.

BAFF binds to tnfrsf13b/taci and tnfrsf17/bcma. Tnfsf13/april binds to the same 2 receptors, together, they form a 2 ligands -2 receptors pathway involved in the stimulation of b- and t-cell function and the regulation of humoral immunity. A third b-cell specific baff-receptor (baffr/br3) promotes the survival of mature b-cells and the b-cell response.
B Lymphocyte Stimulator functions as a potent B-cell growth factor in costimulation assays.
Administration of BAFF Human recombinant to mice disrupts splenic B-cell and T-cell zones and results in elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin.

IGFBP6 plays a role in lipoprotein assembly and dietary cholesterol absorption. in addition to its acyltransferase activity, it may act as a ligase. may provide cholesteryl esters for lipoprotein secretion from hepatocytes and intestinal mucosa.

Uromodulin (Tamm–Horsfall protein) is produced mainly by cells in the kidney’s thick ascending limb and is the most abundant protein in normal urine.
Uromodulin takes part in salt and water regulation, helps prevent urinary tract infections and kidney stones, and influences inflammation and immune activity in the kidney.
Reduced Uromodulin levels is associated with chronic kidney disease.
UMOD mutations causes unproper protein folding and thus transported incorrectly, resulting in its accumulation inside kidney tubular cells that damages the tubules and cause kidney disease (ADTKD-UMOD), associated with high uric acid, gout, and progressive kidney failure.

DFF is a heterodimeric protein of 40kDa (DFFB) and 45kDa (DFFA) subunits. DFFA (DNA fragmentation factor subunit alpha) is the substrate for caspase-3 and triggers DNA fragmentation during apoptosis. DFF is activated once DFFA is cleaved by caspase-3. The cleaved fragments of DFFA detach from DFFB (the active component of DFF), which in turn triggers DNA fragmentation as well as chromatin condensation during apoptosis. Apoptosis is accompanied by shrinkage and fragmentation of the cells and nuclei and degradation of the chromosomal DNA into nucleosomal units.
A reduced level of DFFA detected in ovarian endometriosis may be a part of an apoptosis-resistant mechanism enhancing the disease progression.
DFFA at chromosome 1 shows rare allelic variants in neuroblastoma tumors.

BDNF promotes the survival of neuronal populations that are all located either in the central nervous system or directly connected to it. Major regulator of synaptic transmission and plasticity at adult synapses in many regions of the cns. the versatility of bdnf is emphasized by its contribution to a range of adaptive neuronal responses including long-term potentiation (ltp), long-term depression (ltd), certain forms of short-term synaptic plasticity, as well as homeostatic regulation of intrinsic neuronal excitability.

Cleavage stimulation factor subunit 1 (CSTF1) is involved in the polyadenylation and 3'end cleavage of pre-mRNAs. The CSTF1 gene encodes one of three subunits which merge to produce cleavage stimulation factor (CSTF). Like the mammalian G protein beta subunits, CSTF1 contains transducin-like repeats. CSTF1 is one of the numerous factors necessary for polyadenylation and 3'-end cleavage of mammalian pre-mRNAs. CSTF1 is responsible for the interaction of CSTF with other factors to create a stable complex on the pre-mRNA.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 16 (NGFR) BELONGS TO the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily with an extensive pattern of expression in tissues such as the brain, liver, lung, and muscle. NGFR has a role in the regulation of the translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface in adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells in response to insulin, possibly by regulating RAB31 activity, and thus contributes to the regulation of insulin-dependent glucose uptake. NGFRs are low affinity receptors which can bind to NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4. NGFR mediates cell survival as well as cell death of neural cells.

Epidermal growth factor receptor or EGFR or Erb-1 is a membranal protein that acts as a receptor for the extracellular EGF proteins family. This protein is a part of a family of receptors called ErbB family which are all tyrosine kinases receptors. Mutations in the gene of this receptors can cause cancer.

The Fas receptor (CD95) mediates apoptotic signaling by Fas-ligand expressed on the surface of other cells. The Fas-FasL interaction plays an important role in the immune system and lack of this system leads to autoimmunity, indicating that Fas-mediated apoptosis removes self-reactive lymphocytes. Fas signaling is also involved in immune surveillance to remove transformed cells and virus infected cells. Binding of FAS to oligimerized FasL on another cell activates apoptotic signaling through a cytoplasmic domain termed the death domain that interacts with signaling adaptors including FAF, FADD and DAX to activate the caspase proteolytic cascade. Caspase-8 and caspase-10 are first activated, to then cleave and activate downstream caspases, and a variety of cellular substrates that lead to cell death. Caspases cleave nuclear lamins, causing the nucleus to break down and lose its normal structure and another caspase substrate is DFF, inducing cleavage and degradation of the genome. Other caspase substrates are involved in cytoskeletal structure, cell cycle regulation and signaling pathways. Activation of JNK kinase, activation of Jun, and production of ceramide may also play roles in Fas-mediated apoptosis. Activation of fas-mediated apoptosis is opposed by I-FLICE and FAP. Viruses and tumors may escape immune surveillance in part through suppression of fas-mediated apoptosis using similar mechanisms.

SERF2 (small EDRK-rich factor 2) is a member of the SERF family. SERF2 is a protein-coding gene. Among the diseases associated with SERF2 are spinal muscular atrophy, and muscular atrophy.

RUNX3 is part of the RUNX family that mediates the expression of genes which participate in cellular differentiation and cell cycle progression. RUNX3 heterodimer and the beta subunit form a complex that binds to the core DNA sequence 5''-PYGPYGGT-3'' found in several enhancers and promoters, and can either activate or suppress transcription. RUNX3 interacts with additional transcription factors. RUNX3 is a good candidate for gastric cancer tumor suppressor diagnosis.

S100A8 is a part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a broad range of cells, and participate in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100A8 plays a role in the inhibition of casein kinase and as a cytokine. S100A8 altered expression is related with cystic fibrosis disease. S100A8 is a calcium-binding protein that has antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.S100A8 is crucial for resistance towards invasion by pathogenic bacteria. S100A8 up-regulates transcription of genes that are under the control of NF-kappa-B. S100A8 plays a role in the development of endotoxic shock in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. S100A8 endorses tubulin polymerization and promotes phagocyte migration and infiltration of granulocytes at sites of wounding. S100A8 takes part as a pro-inflammatory mediator in acute and chronic inflammation and up-regulates the release of IL8 and cell-surface expression of ICAM1.

Eukaryotic Translation Elongation Factor 2 (EEF2) which is necessary factor for protein synthesis is a part of the GTP-binding translation elongation factor family. EEF2 catalyzes the GTP-dependent ribosomal translocation step during translation elongation. EEF2 is also catalyzes the coordinated movement of the mRNA as well as the 2 tRNA molecules and conformational changes in the ribosome. EF-2 kinase phosporylation inactivates the EEF2 protein.

GMCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. The active form of the protein is found extracellularly as a homodimer. This gene has been localized to a cluster of related genes at chromosome region 5q31, which is known to be associated with interstitial deletions in the 5q- syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia. Other genes in the cluster include those encoding interleukins 4, 5, and 13.
GM-CSF stimulates the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic precursor cells from various lineages, including granulocytes, macrophages, eosinophils and erythrocytes.

RANK, is part of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. RANK is widely expressed with uppermost levels in the skeletal muscle, thymus, liver, colon, small intestine, adrenal gland as well as dendritic cells. Furthermore, in activated human peripheral blood T lymphocytes, RANK expression is induced by IL4 and TGF-b.

EIF5A is the single protein identified to contain remarkable amino acid formed by the action of deoxyhypusine synthase and deoxyhypusine hydroxylase using spermidine as the substrate. EIF5A takes part in the first step of peptide bond formation in translation, nevertheless further experiments implicates it as a universally conserved translation elongation factor. Modulation of EIF5A is connected to proliferation and cancer. Expression of EIF-5A is upregulated in the PBMCs of HIV-1 patients. EIF5A coordinates significant cellular processes like cell viability and senescence during its effects on the stability of certain mRNAs. Heat stress-induced loss of EIF-5A in a human pancreatic cancer cell line. EIF5A stability takes part in determining the fate of the particular cell type after severe heat stress.

Non-homologous end-joining factor 1 (NHEJ1) is a member of the XLF family. NHEJ1 is a DNA repair factor vital for the nonhomologous end-joining pathway, which preferentially mediates repair of double-stranded breaks. NHEJ1 gene mutations cause different kinds of severe combined immunodeficiency disorders. NHEJ1 was initially detected as the protein mutated in five patients with growth retardation, microcephaly, and immunodeficiency. In addition, patients with NHEJ1 mutations have immunodeficiency caused by a defect in V(D)J recombination, which employs NHEJ to promote immune system diversity.

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.

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.