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Kallikreins are serine protease enzymes having various physiological functions.
Kallikreins are implicated in carcinogenesis and have potenital as novel cancer disease biomarkers. KLK1 is one of the fifteen kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19. KLK1 is functionally conserved in its ability to release the vasoactive peptide, Lys-bradykinin, from low molecular weight kininogen.
Human Kallikrein-1, also called as Kallidinogenase, Kininogenase or Kininogenin, is an active protein enzyme present in saliva, pancreatic juices, and urine that catalyzes the proteolysis of bradykininogen to bradykinin.
Kallikrein-1, which derived from human or porcine, have been used as drugs for a long time, they are mainly used in the treatment f light to medium hypertension and occlusion of cerebral and surrounding blood vessels.
KLK1 demonstrates both trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like selectivities with Tyr/Arg preferred at site P1, Ser/Arg strongly preferred at P1', and Phe/Leu at P2.
rs5517 in the KLK1 gene is considerably connected with hypertension in a Chinese Han population. KLK1 is expressed de novo in endothelial cells and mediates relaxation of human umbilical veins. The K allele of KLK1 promoter and TT genotype of TGF-beta1 are a genetic KLK1 -130 GN and -128 G-C, and the defenselessness factor contributing to progressive renal descent in Taiwanese primary vesicoureteric reflux children.
Induction of KLK1 in carotid arteriosclerosis doesn’t lead to kallikrein-kinins pathway activation. Transgenic rats expressing KLK1 have impaired renal response to acute volume expansion Endothelial cells synthesize and release active form of KLK1on the surface which is important function in maintenance of circulation homeostasis.
KLK1 participates in epidermal desquamation through cleavage of desmoglein 1 and regulation by lympho-epithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI).

Kallikrein-15 (KLK15) is one of the 15 kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19. KLK15 contains numerous polyadenylation sites and alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. KLK15 is over expressed in prostate cancer and therefore uses as a diagnostic or prognostic marker for prostate cancer.

KLRB1 has an inhibitory role on natural killer (NK) cells cytotoxicity which are lymphocytes who facilitate cytotoxicity and secrete cytokines subsequent to immune stimulation. Some genes of the C-type lectin superfamily, like the rodent NKRP1 family of glycoproteins, are expressed by NK cells and take part in NK cell function regulation. KLRB1 holds an extracellular domain with a few characteristic motifs of C-type lectins, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. Due to its external C terminus KLRB1 is considered to be a type II membrane protein.

Melanoma-associated antigen D1 (MAGED1) belongs to the melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) family and expressed in virtually all normal adult tissues. MAGED1 is involved in the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediated programmed cell death pathway. MAGED1 is involved in Prader-Willi syndrome including hyperphagia, repetitive and compulsive behaviors, and cognitive impairment. MAGED1 is involved in the apoptotic response following NGF (nerve growth factor) binding in neuronal cells. MAGED1 hinders cell cycle progression, and facilitates NGFR-mediated apoptosis. MAGED1 functions as a regulator of the function of DLX family members. MAGED1 has a role in the circadian rythm regulation.

CCL13 chemokine is part of the CC chemokine family (TARC). CCL13 protein induces chemotaxis in monocytes, eosinophils, T lymphocytes, and basophils by binding cell surface G-protein linked chemokine receptors such as CCR2, CCR3 and CCR5. CCL13 is induced by the inflammatory cytokines IL1 & TNFA.

Procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer 1, also known as PCOLCE binds to the C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen and enhances procollagen C-proteinase activity. In addition, C-terminal processed part of PCPE (CT-PCPE) has a metalloproteinase inhibitory activity. Among the diseases which are associated with PCOLCE: bone fracture & oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (ARC) takes part in the regulation of cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization and is required for consolidation of synaptic plasticity as well as formation of long-term memory. ARC regulates endocytosis of AMPA receptors in response to synaptic activity and is also required for homeostatic synaptic scaling of AMPA receptors. ARC is required in the stress fiber dynamics and cell migration.

Actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 2 (ARPC2), is a part of the Rho family of small GTPases and one of seven subunits of the human Arp2/3 protein complex. The Arp2/3 protein complex has been implicated in the control of actin polymerization in cells and has been conserved through evolution. Nevertheless, the exact role of the protein (the p34 subunit) has yet to be determined.

SNX1 belongs to the large family of hydrophilic proteins that interact with a range of receptor types that participate in intracellular trafficking. SNX1 and the associated splice variant, SNX1A, bind the EGFR, enable its transport to the lysosome, and thus contribute to the degradation of the receptor. SNX1 is related with cellular membranes, and they, also, associate with EGF, PDGF and the receptor tyrosine kinases.

Egl Nine Homolog 3 (EGLN3) belongs to the EGLN family of prolyl hydroxylases. EGLN3 catalyzes hydroxylation of the ? subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor-?, which targets hypoxia-inducible factor-? for ubiquitination by a ubiquitin ligase complex containing the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor. EGLN3 is the most significant isozyme in limiting physiological activation of HIFs (especially HIF2A) in hypoxia. EGLN3 is activated in cardiovascular cells and Hela cells after exposure to hypoxia. In addition, EGLN3 hydroxylates PKM2 in hypoxia, thus limiting glycolysis. Under normoxia, EGLN3 hydroxylates and regulates the stability of ADRB2. EGLN3 is inhibited by polynitrogen compounds possibly by chelation to Fe2+ ions.

SPARC, an acronym for “secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine”, is also known as osteonectin or BM-40. It is the founding member of a family of secreted matricellular proteins with similar domain structure. The 303 amino acid, 43 kDa protein contains a 17 aa signal sequence, an N-terminal acidic region that binds calcium, a follistatin domain containing Kazal-like sequences, and a C-terminal extracellular calcium (EC) binding domain with two EF-hand motifs. SPARC is produced by fibroblasts, capillary endothelial cells, platelets and macrophages, especially in areas of tissue morphogenesis and remodeling. SPARC shows context-specific effects, but generally inhibits adhesion, spreading and proliferation, and promotes collagen matrix formation. For endothelial cells, SPARC disrupts focal adhesions and binds and sequesters PDGF and VEGF. SPARC is abundantly expressed in bone, where it promotes osteoblast differentiation and inhibits adipogenesis.

STX12 is a member of the syntaxin family which are cellular receptors for transport of vesicles that take part in exocytosis in neutrophils. STX12 regulates protein transport from late endosomes and the trans-Golgi network and back. Additionally, STX12 cooperates with ABC1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1), which enables cellular release of cholesterol and choline-phospholipids to apoA-I (apolipoprotein A-I).

Filamin binding LIM protein 1 (FBLIM1) plays a role as an anchoring site for cell-ECM adhesion proteins and filamin-containing actin filaments. FBLIM1 is involved in cell shape spreading and motility. FBLIM1 participates in the regulation of filamin-mediated cross-linking and stabilization of actin filaments. FBLIM1 promotes stimulation of integrins and regulates integrin-mediated cell-cell adhesion.

Cyclophilin-D is a member of the peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) family. PPIases catalyze the cis-trans isomerization of proline imidic peptide bonds in oligopeptides and speeds up the protein folding. Cyclophilin-D possess PPIase activity and binds to the immunosuppressant cyclosporin-A. Cyclophilin-D is very well known that its overexpression suppresses the apoptosis in cancer cell. Cyclophilin-D suppresses apoptotic cell death by the use of mitochondrial hexokinase-2 dependent mechanism in cancer cells.

Charged Multivesicular Body Protein 5 (CHMP5) is a member of the chromatin-modifying protein/charged multivesicular body protein (CHMP) family. These proteins comprise the ESCRT-III (endosomal sorting complex required for transport III), a complex involved in degradation of surface receptor proteins and development of endocytic multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Certain CHMPs have both nuclear and cytoplasmic/vesicular distributions, and one such CHMP the CHMP1A, is essential for both MVB formation and regulation of cell cycle progression.

MAGEA6 belongs to the MAGEA family, which directs the expression of tumor antigens which are seen on a human melanoma by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). Members of the MAGEA family encode proteins with 50 to 80% sequence identity to each other. The MAGE genes, which are clustered at chromosomal location Xq28, were originally isolated from separate kinds of tumors, and based on their practically exclusive tumor-specific expression in adult tissues; they are objects for cancer immunotherapy. MAGEA genes’ promoters and first exons exhibit substantial variability, implying that the existence of the MAGEA gene family enables the same function to be expressed under different transcriptional controls. MAGEA genes are implicated in several hereditary disorders, such as dyskeratosis congenita.

Melanoma Antigen Family A 8, also known as MAGEA8 belongs to the MAGE gene family, which includes twelve known genes, of which six are expressed in tumors. Furthermore, the MAGE genes were at first isolated from different kinds of tumors, and according to their virtually exclusive tumor-specific expression in adult tissues, they have been used as targets for cancer immunotherapy.

HLH (helix-loop-helix) proteins are a putative transcription factors family. Several HLH proteins take part in growth and development of an extensive range of tissues and species. NHLH1 functions as a DNA-binding protein and has a role in the regulation of cell-type determination in the developing nervous system.

GDF15 is part of the TGF-Beta superfamily that is involved in regulating inflammatory and apoptotic pathways in injured tissues and throughout disease processes. GDF15 is most abundant in the liver. Its expression in liver can be considerably up-regulated in during injury of organs such as liver, kidney, heart and lung. GDF-15 promotes proliferation or growth arrest and differentiation due to differences in cellular differentiation. GDF15 prevents apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons by activating Akt and inhibiting endogenously active ERK. GDF15 is a novel autocrine/endocrine factor that antagonizes the hypertrophic response and loss of ventricular performance.

Fractalkine soluble form is chemotactic for t-cells and monocytes, but not for neutrophils. Fractalkine membrane-bound form promotes adhesion of those leukocytes to endothelial cells. Fractalkine regulates leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium and binds to CX3CR1. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

Midkine (MK) is the product of a retinoic acid responsive gene, MK, and is a member of a family of heparin binding factors. It contains 121 amino acid residues including 10 conserved cysteine residues, all of which appear to be disulphide linked.
Midkine is expressed during embryogenesis, showing an expression pattern that suggests functions in neurogenesis, cell migration, secondary organogenetic induction, and mesoderm-epithelial interaction.
The widespread downregulation of MK in the adult human is reverted in a number of cancers, in which polypeptides are able to act as both transforming growth factors and promoters of angiogenesis.
Midkine (MK), induces chemotaxis of human neutrophils and was found to trigger mobilization of intracellular calcium of these cells.
Midkine induces histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells with a rapid response in a dose dependent manner.
Midkine is also a potent stimulator of collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis.

Atosiban is the first oxytocin antagonist to be specifically developed for the treatment of preterm labor. Atosiban has a specific mode of action, inhibiting oxytocin-induced uterine contractions by blocking oxytocin receptors in the uterus. Extensive clinical investigations have shown Atosiban to be at least as effective as current tocolytic agents. In addition, due to its novel and specific mode of action, Atosiban has a markedly improved maternal side effects profile compared with conventional therapies.

Sincalide corresponds to the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK) which acts on receptors within the gallbladder wall causing it to contract.
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a hormone originally isolated from porcine intestinal mucosa and described as a linear 33-amino acid peptide containing a sulfated tyrosine, which is essential for its biological activity. It has been found in mammals in both the digestive tract and the central nervous system. Among its multiple biological functions, this hormone stimulates pancreatic exocrine secretion, gallbladder contraction, and intestine motility and may also act as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator in the central nervous system.