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Glutathione S-transferase A4 (GSTA4) is a member of the GST superfamily. The GSTA4 enzyme is involved in cellular defense against toxic, carcinogenic, and pharmacologically active electrophilic compounds. GSTA4 shows an especially high activity with reactive carbonyl compounds such as alk-2-enals. GSTA4 is extremely effective in catalyzing the conjugate addition of reduced glutathione to 4-hydroxynonenal, which is an important product of peroxidative degradation of arachidonic acid and a frequently used biomarker for oxidative damage in tissue. The GSTA4 enzyme is expressed at a high level in the brain, placenta, and skeletal muscle and much lower in the lung and liver.

HAGH is a part of the glyoxalase family and a thiolesterase which hydrolyses S-lactoyl-glutathione to reduced glutathione and D-lactate. HAGH protein is a detoxifying enzyme of glycolysis byproduct methylglyoxal and a target of p63 and p73 and serves as a pro-survival factor of the p53 family. HAGH appears only as a monomer and binds two zinc ions per subunit.

Caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, each serotype is sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. In cell culture experiments and mice Morpholino antisense oligos have shown specific activity against Dengue virus.

Shiga-like toxin (verotoxin) is a toxin produced by some strains of Escherichia coli. Shiga-like toxin is named for its similarity to the AB5-type Shiga toxin produced by the bacteria Shigella dysenteriae. There are two known types-SLT1 and SLT2. The Shiga-like toxin is linked with hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Shiga-like toxin requires highly specific receptors on the cells' surface in order to attach and enter the cell. Species such as cattle, swine, and deer which do not carry these receptors may harbor toxigenic bacteria without any ill effect, dropping them in their feces, from where they may be distributed to humans. Shiga Like Toxin-2 Subunit B has nontoxic action, it is the functional region which binds to the receptor. Upon binding to the host cell receptor, the Shiga Like Toxin-2 Subunit B forms a pentamer. The Shiga Like Toxin-2 Subunit B can be useful in vaccine study, antibody test and other functional research.

Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase (AICDA) belongs to the the cytidine deaminase family. AICDA is involved in somatic hypermutation, gene conversion, and class-switch recombination in B-lymphocytes. AICDA is necessary for a number of crucial steps of B-cell terminal differentiation needed for efficient antibody responses. AICDA has a role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression by participating in DNA demethylation. AICDA is strongly expressed in the lymph nodes and tonsils.

Major histocompatibility complex, class II, DR alpha (HLA-DRA) belongs to the MHC class II family. HLA-DRA binds peptides derived from antigens which access the endocytic route of antigen presenting cells (APC) and presents them on the cell surface for identification by the CD4 T-cells. The peptide binding cleft accommodates peptides of 10-30 residues. The peptides presented by MHC class II molecules are generated mainly by degradation of proteins which access the endocytic route, where they are processed by lysosomal proteases and other hydrolases.

HMGB2 belongs to the non-histone chromosomal high-mobility group protein family which are chromatin-associated and highly spread in the nucleus of higher eukaryotic cells. HMGB2 can successfully bend DNA and form DNA circles which indicates that HMGB2 facilitates cooperative interactions between cis-acting proteins by promoting DNA flexibility. Additionally, HMGB2 takes part in the final ligation step in DNA end-joining processes of DNA double-strand breaks repair and V(D)J recombination.

AnsA is a cytoplasmic asparaginase from E.coli involved in intracellular asparagine utilization. E.coli has 2 L-asparaginases: the cytoplasmic type I form (ansA) and the periplasmic type II form (ansB). AnsA (Type L asparaginase) is constitutively expressed and is obligatory for the growth of the bacteria on asparagine as the sole nitrogen source.

HRASLS3 is a tumor suppressor that takes part in dependent cell death. HRASLS3 is part of the class II tumor suppressor gene family and is involved in the regulation of differentiation and survival. HRASLS3 protein is expressed in a number of human tumors including ovarian carcinomas, lung carcinomas.

Arsenic Methyltransferase (AS3MT) catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to trivalent arsenical and may have a role in arsenic metabolism. AS3MT methylates arsenite to produce methylarsonate, Me-AsO3H2, which is reduced by methylarsonate reductase to methylarsonite, Me-As(OH)2. Methylarsonite which is also a substrate, is transformed into the much less toxic complex dimethylarsinate (cacodylate), Me2As(O)-OH.

Aspartoacylase is a homodimer which catalyzes the deacetylation of N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA) (a protein whose hydrolysis is crucial to maintenance of intact white matter) to generate acetate and L-aspartate. Aspartoacylase (ASPA) is expressed in the liver, lung and kidney tissue, as well as in the skeletal muscle and in cerebral white matter. NAA is ample in the brain where hydrolysis by aspartoacylase is believed to aid maintain white matter. In other tissues ASPA functions as a scavenger of NAA from body fluids. ASPA gene mutations cause Canavan disease (CAND or spongy degeneration of the brain).

ENSA is an endogenous ligand for sulfonylurea receptor. ENSA reduces K(ATP) channel currents by inhibiting sulfonylurea from binding to the receptor and thus stimulates insulin secretion. Endosulfine Alpha is part of a conserved cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein (ARPP) family. Endosulfine Alpha is an endogenous ligand for the sulfonylurea receptor, ABCC8/SUR1. Endosulfine Alpha is an endogenous regulator of KATP channels. ENSA modulates insulin secretion through the interaction with KATP channel. ENSA is a candidate gene for type 2 diabetes. ENSA is expressed in a wide range of tissues including muscle, brain, and endocrine tissues.

Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of betaine and homocysteine to dimethylglycine and methionine, respectively. BHMT displays differential expression in a model of liver cirrhosis.

BNIP1 belongs to the of the BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kd-interacting protein (BNIP) family. BNIP1 interacts with the E1B 19 kDa protein, which defends cells from virally-induced cell death. In addition, BNIP1 interacts with E1B 19 kDa-like sequences of BCL2 which is an additional apoptotic protector. Adding up, BNIP1 is implicated in vesicle transport into the endoplasmic reticulum. Alternative splicing results of BNIP1 in four protein products with identical N- and C-termini have been found.

FARSB, also known as Phenylalanyl-TRNA Synthetase Beta is a member of the phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase beta subunit family. FARSB is composed tetramer of two alpha and two beta subunits. In the presence of ATP, this tetramer is accountable for attaching L-phenylalanine to the terminal adenosine of the appropriate tRNA.

PGAM1 is part of the phosphoglycerate mutase family. PGAM1 is an essential component of glucose and 2,3-BPGA (2,3-bisphosphoglycerate) metabolism and catalyzes the reversible reaction of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) to 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PGA) in the glycolytic pathway. PGAM1 is a dimeric enzyme containing, in different tissues, different proportions of a slow-migrating muscle (MM) isozyme, a fast-migrating brain (BB) isozyme, and a hybrid form (MB). PGAM1 mutations lead to muscle phosphoglycerate mutase deficiency, a.k.a. glycogen storage disease X.

GCSAM is a protein which functions in signal transduction pathways and whose expression raises in germinal cell lymphomas. GCSAM contains a putative PDZ-interacting domain, an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM), and two putative SH2 binding sites. In B cells, GCSAM expression is particularly induced by interleukin-4.

TSTA3 is a NADP(H)-binding protein. TSTA3 catalyzes the two-step epimerase and the reductase reactions in GDP-D-mannose metabolism, converting GDP-4-keto-6-D-deoxymannose to GDP-L-fucose. GDP-L-fucose is the substrate of numerous fucosyltransferases that take part in the expression of several glycoconjugates, including blood group ABH antigens and developmental adhesion antigens.
Mutations in TSTA3 result in leukocyte adhesion deficiency, type II.

Cytosolic and membrane-bound types of GST are encoded by 2 different supergene families. There are 8 classes of the soluble cytoplasmic mammalian GST: alpha, kappa, mu, omega, pi, sigma, theta and zeta. The mu class of enzymes functions in the detoxification of electrophilic compounds, including carcinogens, therapeutic drugs, environmental toxins and products of oxidative stress, by conjugation with glutathione. The genes encoding the mu class of enzymes are arranged in a gene cluster on chromosome 1p13.3 and aare highly polymorphic. These genetic differences can change an individual's resistance to carcinogens and toxins as well as affect the toxicity and efficacy of certain drugs. Null mutations of this class mu gene have been linked with the rise in a number of cancers.

REG protein was shown to be stimulated during the regeneration of pancreatic islets. Since then, many Reg-related proteins have been identified in humans and other animals. In human, the four REG family genes, i.e., REG 1 alpha, REG 1 beta, REG-related sequence (RS) and HIP/PAP, have so far been isolated. These Reg-related proteins are classified into four subfamilies according to their amino-acid sequences, but they share a similar structure and physiological function. Reg protein is a growth factor for pancreatic beta cells and also suggests that the administration of Reg protein could be used as another therapeutic approach for diabetes mellitus. Human REG cDNA which encodes a 166-amino acid protein with a 22-amino acid signal peptide. The amino acid sequence of human REG protein has 68% homology to that of rat Reg protein.
Reg I was found to be expressed mainly in pancreatic beta and acinoductular cells as well as gastric fundic enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. Reg I production in ECL cells is stimulated by gastrin, as well as by the proinflammatory cytokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2Beta. In patients with chronic hypergastrinemia, Reg production is stimulated, with the increased proliferation of gastric mucosal cells. Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection also showed increased Reg production in the gastric mucosa, partly via increased plasma gastrin concentration and partly via increased proinflammatory cytokine production. The serum concentration of the reg-protein was significantly higher in patients with various pancreatic diseases than in normal controls, and was also significantly higher in patients with acute pancreatitis or chronic relapsing pancreatitis than in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, the serum PSP/reg-protein concentration was also significantly increased in liver cirrhosis, choledocholithiasis, and various cancers of the digestive system.

Pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) is a secretory protein not normally expressed in healthy pancreas but highly induced during acute pancreatitis. While PAP has been shown to be anti-bacterial and antiapoptotic in vitro, its definitive biological function in vivo is not clear. Using antisepse oligonucleotides, inhibition of PAP expression significantly worsened pancreatitis in a rat model. During pancreatitis, PAP released by the pancreas could mediate lung inflammation through induction of hepatic TNF- alpha expression and subsequent increase in circulating TNF-alpha.
PAP is activated in primary liver cancers. In normal liver, the protein is undetectable in normal mature hepatocytes and found only in some ductular cells, representing potential hepatic progenitor cells. PAP can be considered hepatic cytokine that combines mitogenic and anti-apoptotic functions regarding hepatocytes, and consequently acts as a growth factor in vivo to enhance liver regeneration. In pancreatic cancor, PAP was overexpressed in 79% (30 of 38) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, 19% (7 of 36) of chronic pancreatitis, and 29% (2 of 7) of mucinous cystadenoma. PAP was found in malignant ductular structures in pancreatic carcinomas as well as in benign proliferating ductules and acinar cells in chronic pancreatitis. Elevation of PAP in patients with pancreatic cancer is not merely explainable by concomitant pancreatitis, but seems to be due to increased PAP production by the cancer cells and is also correlated to tumour load as expressed by the UICC stages.
Epithelial expression of PAP was induced under intestinal mucosal inflammation initiated by exposure to commensal bacteria or DSS as well as inflamed IBD colon. Increased serum level of PAP diagnosed ileal location in active Crohn disease with a sensitivity of 60%, a specificity of 94%, a positive predictive value of 84% and a negative predictive value of 81%. Elevated serum PAP (> 50 ng/mL) is significantly associated with disease activity and ileal location of Crohn disease.

Akt1, also known as Akt or else protein kinase B (PKB) is an important molecule in mammaliancellular signaling. In humans, there are three genes in the "Akt family": Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3. Moreover, these enzymes are members of the serine/threonine-specific protein kinase family (EC2.7.11.1). Akt1 is involved in cellular survival pathways, by inhibiting apoptoticprocesses. Akt1 is also able to induce protein synthesis pathways, and is therefore a key signaling protein in the cellular pathways which lead to skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and general tissue growth. Since it can block apoptosis, and thereby promote cell survival, Akt1 has been implicated as a most important factor in numerous types of cancer. Akt (now also called Akt1) was at first identified as the oncogenein the transforming retrovirus, AKT8.

SULT2A1 is a member fo the sulfotransferase family. SULT2A1 is primarily expressed in liver and adrenal tissues, and to a lesser extent in kidney. SULT2A1 catalyzes the 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate-dependent sulfation of an extensive selection of steroids in human liver and adrenal tissues, and in addition is responsible for a larg number of the sulfation of bile acids in human liver.