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Farnesyl-Diphosphate Farnesyltransferase 1, also known as FDFT1 is a membrane-associated enzyme sited at a branch point in the mevalonate pathway. FDFT1belongs to the phytoene/squalene synthase family. FDFT1 is the 1st specific enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, which catalyzes the dimerization of 2 molecules of farnesyl diphosphate in a two-step reaction to form squalene.

KGF is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. FGF7 is a potent epithelial cell-specific growth factor, whose mitogenic activity is predominantly exhibited in keratinocytes but not in fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Studies of mouse and rat homologs of this gene implicated roles in morphogenesis of epithelium, reepithelialization of wounds, hair development and early lung organogenesis.

RAET1L plays a role as a stress-induced ligand for NKG2D receptor. Retinoic Acid Early Transcript 1L (RAET1L) is linked to the cell membrane by the GPI anchor. HCMV infection triggers RAET1L’sexpression but HCMV alters its function. HCMV-encoded UL16 glycoprotein retains RAET1L/ULBP6 inside the cells, preventing it from reaching the cell surface and being exposed to cells of the immune system. RAET1L has a more restricted expression profile in cell lines and primary human tissues than other NKG2D ligands.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor also called LIF is a lymphoid factor that promotes long-term maintenance of embryonic stem cells by suppressing spontaneous differentiation. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor has several functions such as cholinergic neuron differentiation, control of stem cell pluripotency, bone & fat metabolism, mitogenesis of factor dependent cell lines & promotion of megakaryocyte production in vivo. Human and mouse LIF exhibit a 78% identity in its amino acid sequence.

The retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a pleiotropic nuclear receptor transcription factor that interacts with a variety of nuclear receptor dimeric partner. RXR binds cognate response elements as a homodimer in the presence of its ligand, 9-cis retinoic acid, or as a heterodimer with other members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily including retinoic acid receptors (RAR), thyroid hormone receptors (TR), vitamin D receptors and peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors (PPAR). The RXR family includes three different isoforms; RXR a, b, g . Human RXR a gene is localized on 9q34.9 and encodes two major isoforms (RXR a1, RXR a2). The DNA binding domain of RXR (111-228aa) was purified by using conventional column chromatography techniques.

Mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes) consist of a small 28S subunit and a large 39S subunit. Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein S28, also known as MRPS28, is a protein coding gene which encodes a 28S subunit protein which is known as mitochondrial ribosomal protein S35.

Neutrophil Cytosolic Factor 4 (NCF4) is a cytosolic regulatory factor of the superoxide-producing phagocyte NADPH-oxidase, which is a multicomponent enzyme system imperative for host defense. The NCF4 protein is preferentially expressed in cells of myeloid lineage. NCF4 interacts mainly with neutrophil cytosolic factor 2 (NCF2/p67-phox) to create a complex with neutrophil cytosolic factor (NCF1/p47-phox), which further interacts with the small G protein RAC1 and translocates to the membrane upon cell stimulation. This complex subsequently activates flavocytochrome b, the membrane-integratedcatalytic core of the enzyme system. The PX domain of the NCF4 protein can bind phospholipid products of the PI(3) kinase, suggesting its part in PI(3) kinase-mediated signaling events. The phosphorylation of the NCF4 protein negatively regulates the enzyme activity.

Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 39, also known as ARHGEF39, is a protein coding gene which owns one DH (DBL-homology) domain and one PH domain. ARHGEF39 encourages cell proliferation.

NGF-beta has nerve growth stimulating activity and the complex is involved in the regulation of growth and the differentiation of sympathetic and certain sensory neurons. Mutations in this gene have been associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, type 5 (HSAN5), and dysregulation of this gene's expression is associated with allergic rhinitis. Nerve Growth Factor was the 1st protein found from the family of neurotrophic factors that influence the growth and differentiation of sympathetic and sensory neurons. NGF consists of 3 different subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. The beta subunit is accountable for its growth stimulating activity. The synthesis of NGF in astrocytes is enhanced by a range of cytokines such as IL1, TNF-a, PDGF & TGF-b.

RELM-gamma is a novel member of the resistin-like molecule/found in inflammatory zone (RELM/FIZZ) family in mice and rats. Microarray and real-time RT-PCR experiments revealed a repression of RELMgamma mRNA in nasal respiratory epithelium of cigarette smoke-exposed versus untreated rats. The analysis of the physiological tissue-specific expression revealed highest expression in hematopoietic tissues, suggesting a cytokine-like role for RELM-gamma. RELM-gamma-mRNA is detectable in bone marrow, spleen, and lung as well as in peripheral blood granulocytes. Promyelocytic HL60 cells transfected with a RELM-gamma expression plasmid have an increased proliferation rate compared to mock-transfected cells and display an altered response to retinoic acid-induced granulocytic differentiation. Taken together, these data provide the first experimental evidence that RELM-gamma is a secreted molecule with a restricted expression pattern that may play a role in promyelocytic differentiation.

Resistin, a product of the RSTN gene, is a peptide hormone belonging to the class of cysteine-rich secreted proteins which is termed the RELM family, and is also described as ADSF (Adipose Tissue- Specific Secretory Factor) and FIZZ3 (Found in Inflammatory Zone). Human resistin contains 108 amino acids as a prepeptide, and its hydrofobic signal peptide is cleaved before its secretion. Resistin circulates in human blood as a dimeric protein consisting of two 92 amino acid polypeptides, which are disulfide-linked via Cys26.
Resistin may be an important link between obesity and insulin resistance. Mouse resistin, specifically produced and secreted by adipocyte, acts on skeletal muscle myocytes, hepatocytes and adipocytes themselves so that it reduces their sensitivity to insulin. Steppan et al. have suggested that resistin suppresses the ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake. They have also suggested that resistin is present at elevated levels in blood of obese mice, and is down regulated by fasting and antidiabetic drugs. Way et al., on the other hand, have found that resistin expression is severly suppressed in obesity and is stimulated by several antidiabetic drugs.
Other studies have shown that mouse resistin increases during the differentiation of adipocytes, but it also seems to inhibit adipogenesis. In contrast, the human adipogenic differentiation is likely to be associated with a down regulation of resistin gene expression.

GCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes. The active protein is found extracellularly. Three transcript variants encoding three different isoforms have been found for the GCSF gene. Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. This csf induces granulocytes.

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.

HERPUD1 is a multi-pass membrane protein which is a part of the endoplasmic reticulum quality control system. HERPUD1 owns 1 N-terminal ubiquitin-like domain and is expressed highly in the brain. HERPUD1 is also known as ER-associated degradation (ERAD) which takes part in ubiquitin-dependent degradation of misfolded endoplasmic reticulum proteins.

Neudesin Neurotrophic Factor (NENF) is a member of the cytochrome b5 family, MAPR subfamily. NENF contains 1 cytochrome b5 heme-binding domain. NENF exhibits neurotrophic activity and activates phosphorylation of MAPK1/ERK2, MAPK3/ERK1 and AKT1/AKT in primary cultured neurons. NENF doesn’t have mitogenic activity in primary cultured astrocytes. NENF may play a part in neuronal differentiation and may have a transient influence on neural cell proliferation in neural precursor cells. NENF neurotrophic activity is increased by binding to heme. NENF is up-regulated in immortal cells and induced in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer expressing progesterone receptor.

ASCC1 is a subunit of the triggering signal cointegrator 1 (ASC-1) complex which is a transcriptional coactivator. ASC-1 complex takes a vital part in gene transactivation using various transcription factors such as activating protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) and serum response factor (SRF). ASCC1 has an N-terminal KH-type RNA-binding motif, essential for AP-1 transactivation by the ASC-1 complex. Alterations in ASCC1 result in Barrett esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

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.

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB), belongs to the class III subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) which also consist of the receptors for Flt3-ligand, SCF and M-CSF. PDGFRB takes a vital part in blood vessel development by promoting growth, migration as well as recruitment of pericytes and smooth muscle cells to endothelial cells. PDGFRB helps in rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton in addition the formation of membrane ruffles. PDGFRB phosphorylates, NCK1, PIK3R1, PTPN11, CBL, SHC1, RASA1/GAP and PLCG1.

Calcium-activated nucleotidase 1 (CANT1) is a member of the apyrase family. The CANT1 protein is calcium-dependent nucleotidase with a preference for UDP. The order of activity with different substrates is as follows: UDP > GDP > UTP > GTP. Moreover, CANT1 has a very low activity towards ADP and an even lower activity towards ATP. As well as it doesn’t hydrolyze AMP and GMP. CANT1’s specific function is yet unknown, nevertheless its substrates are involved in several key signaling functions, including Ca2+ release, through activation of pyrimidinergic signaling. Mutations in the CANT1 gene are linked with Desbuquois dysplasia with hand anomalies.

Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least eighteen structurally realted proteins that are involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cell growth, differentation, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family if type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. Four distinct genes encoding closely related FGF receptors, FGFR-1to -4 are known. Multiple forms of FGFR-1 to -3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGFR-1 and -2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the alpha isoform, or only IgII and IgIII, referred to as the ? isoform. Only the alpha isoform has been identified for FGFR-3 and FGFR-4. Additional splicing events for FGFR-1 to -3, involving the C-terminal half of the IgIII domain encoded by two mutually exclusive alternative exons, generate FGF receptors with alternative IgIII domains (IIIb and IIIc). A IIIa isoform which is a secreted FGF binding protein containing only the N-terminal half of the IgIII domain plus some intron sequences has also been reported for FGFR-1. Mutations in FGFR-1 to -3 have been found in patients with birth defects involving craniosynostosis.

Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor is a growth factor and/or cytokine produced by the endothelium, macrophages and a number of other immune cells. GCSF stimulates the bone marrow to produce granulocytes and also to stimulate the survival, proliferation, differentiation and function of neutrophil granulocyte progenator cells and mature neutrophils.

POU5F1 is a homeodomain transcription factor of the POU family, expressed in embryonic stem (ES) cells and embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells.POU5F1 is significantly involved in the signaling pathway for maintaining self-renewal and pluripotency of ES cells. POU5F1 has 2 distinct DNA binding domains which independently bind half-sites of the canonical octamer motif. This flexibility allows POU5F1 to bind with distinct DNA motifs by forming heterodimers with other transcription factors or by forming homodimers in several conformations. Human POU5F1 contains a 75aa POU specific (POUS) domain and a 60aa POU-Homeo-(POUH) domain connected by a linker region. The Human POU5F1 specifically interacts with Octamer motif ATGCAAAT. In addition, 2 proline-rich domains in the N-terminal and C-terminal regions are vital for POU5F1 transactivation. POU5F1 regulates a number of target genes and has been shown to work jointly with other transcription factors including Sox2 as well as Nanog to sustain stem cell potency and self-renewal.