Search results

Thrombin enzyme (Activated Factor IIa) is an important clotting promoter that controls the transformation of soluble fibrinogen to insoluble active fibrin strands. Thrombin is a coagulation protein and a serine protease (EC 3.4.21.5) that catalyzes many coagulation-related reactions. Thrombin triggers factor-XI, factor-V, Factor-XIII and factor-VIII. Thrombin endorses platelet activation, using activation of protease-activated receptors on the platelet. As a result of its high proteolytic specificity, thrombin has become an important biochemical protein. The thrombin cleavage site (Leu-Val-Pro-Arg-Gly-Ser) is widely used in linker regions of recombinant fusion protein constructs. After the purification of the fusion protein, thrombin is used to cleave between the Arginine and Glycine residues of the cleavage site, efficiently removing the purification tag from the protein of interest with a high degree of specificity.

MV belongs to the Beta herpesvirinae subfamily of Herpesviridae which includes herpes simplex virustypes 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barrvirus. The herpesviruses share a characteristic ability to remain latentover long periods.CMV is a double-stranded linear DNA virus with 162 hexagonal protein capsomeres surrounded by a lipid membrane. CMV has the largest genome of the herpes viruses, ranging from 230-240 kilobase pairs. Human CMV is composed of unique and inverted repeats that include the existence of 4 genome isomers caused by inversion of L-S genome components (class E). Replication may be divided into immediate early, delayed early, and late gene expression based on time of synthesis after infection. The DNA is replicated by rolling circles. In vitro, CMV replicates in human fibroblasts.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

Omentin is a recently recognized gene highly localized to the mental tissue (visceral adipose tissue). Omentin is present in the stromal vascular cells in the adipose tissue rather than in the adipocytes. Omentin is predominantly expressed in the visceral adipose tissue than the subcutaneous tissue, with the omentin mRNA being 150 times higher in the visceral adipose tissue. Omentin has also been detected in human blood using western blot analysis, and seems to increase insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in mice. Omentin seems to increase Akt phosphorylation irrespective of insulin presence. Its role in glucose metabolism and obesity remains to be described; an insulin-sensitizing action is possible.Differences in Omentin expression has been noted in adipose tissue from normals and patients with inflammatory bowel disease although its significance is unknown.

GARS is an (alpha)2 dimer which is a member of the class II family of tRNA synthetases. GARS is a glycyl-tRNA synthetase, one of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases which charge tRNAs with their cognate amino acids. GARS catalyzes the attachment of glycine to tRNA(Gly). In addition, GARS is able to produce diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A), which is a universal pleiotropic signaling molecule required for cell regulation pathways, by direct condensation of two ATPs. GARS has been demonstrated to be a target of autoantibodies in the human autoimmune diseases, polymyositis or dermatomyositis.

Thrombopoietin is a glycoprotein hormone produced mainly by the liver and the kidney that regulates the production of platelets by the bone marrow. It stimulates the production and differentiation of megakaryocytes, the bone marrow cells that fragment into large numbers of platelets.

Procalcitonin is a peptide hormone mainly produced by the C cells of the thyroid and certain endocrine cells of the lung. Under normal expression conditions, procalcitonin is immediately cleaved into three specific fragments, an N terminal residue, calcitonin and katacalcin. Levels of unprocessed procalcitonin rise significantly after bacterial infection, trauma or shock.

Lipase Endothelial (LIPG) has extensive phospholipase activity and may be involved in lipoprotein metabolism and vascular biology. The LIPG protein is considered a member of the TG lipase family through its sequence and characteristic lid region which provides substrate specificity for enzymes of the TG lipase family. In addition, the LIPG has triglyceride lipase activities. LIPG hydrolyzes HDLs more efficiently than other lipoproteins. LIPG also binds heparin.

RNA Guanylyltransferase And 5'-Phosphatase also known as RNGTT is a bifunctional mRNA-capping enzyme which exhibits RNA 5'-triphosphatase activity in the N-terminal section and mRNA guanylyltransferase activity in the C-terminal section. In addition, RNGTT catalyzes the first two steps of cap formation, through removing the gamma-phosphate from the 5'-triphosphate end of nascent mRNA to yield a diphosphate end, and also by transferring the gmp moiety of GTP to the 5'-diphosphate terminus.

Anterior gradient protein 3 homolog precursor (AGR3) is a secreted cytoplasmic protein that is involved in metastasis induction and p53 tumor suppressor inhibition. AGR3 may function as molecular marker and potential therapeutic target for hormone-responsive breast tumors.

DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 6 (DGCR6) shares homology with the Drosophila melanogaster gonadal protein, that participates in gonadal and germ cell development, and also with the gamma-1 subunit of human laminin. DGCR6 is involved in DiGeorge syndrome pathology and in schizophrenia.

NCALD belongs to the neuronal calcium sensor (NCS) family. NCALD is cytosolic at inactive calcium levels; but, high intracellular calcium levels induce a conformational transformation which exposes the myristoyl group, causing protein association with membranes and partial co-localization with the perinuclear trans-golgi network. NCALD protein is a regulator of signal transduction by G protein-coupled receptor.

SH3 domain-binding glutamic acid-rich-like protein (SH3BGRL) belongs to the human SH3BGR family. SH3BGRL gene which is located to chromosome Xq13.3, encodes a small protein of 114 amino acids that is extensively expressed in various tissues including liver and blood. SH3BGRL protein contains a prolinerich sequence (PLPPQIF), which is comprsed of both the SH3 binding (PXXP)3 and the Homer EVH1 binding (PPXXF)4 motif.

Sclerostin Domain Containing 1 (SOSTDC1) belongs to the sclerostin family and an N-glycosylated, secreted protein with a C-terminal cystine knot-like domain. The SOSTDC1 protein acts as a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist. Specifically, SOSTDC1 directly associates with BMPs, prohibiting them from binding their receptors, thus regulating BMP signaling throughout cellular proliferation, differentiation, and programmed cell death. SOSTDC1 may also be involved in the onset of endometrial receptivity for implantation/sensitization for the decidual cell reaction Enhances Wnt signaling and hinders TGF-beta signaling. In addition, SOSTDC1 directly antagonizes the activity of BMP2, BMP4, BMP6 and BMP7 in a dose-dependent manner.

Natriuretic Peptide Precursor B acts as a cardiac hormone with a variety of biological actions including natriuresis,vasorelaxation,diuresis and inhibition of renin and aldosterone secretion. BNP plays a key role in cardiovascular homeostasis. BNP also helps restore the body's salt and water balance andimproves heart function.

EMG1 is a 244 aa protein which has a role in ribosome biogenesis. EMG1 is a key protein in the small ribosomal subunit assembly, controls methylation during ribosome synthesis and takes part in pre-18S rRNA processing. EMG1 is localized to the nucleolus and a mutation in this gene is linked with Bowen-Conradi syndrome.

Four And A Half LIM Domains 2 (FHL2) belongs to the four-and-a-half-LIM-only protein family. Family members are comprised of 2 highly conserved, tandemly arranged, zinc finger domains with 4 highly conserved cysteines binding a zinc atom in each zinc finger. The FHL2 protein is assumed to play a part in the assembly of extracellular membranes. Furthermore, FHL2 is down-regulated during transformation of normal myoblasts to rhabdomyosarcoma cells and the FHL2 functions as a link between presenilin-2 and an intracellular signaling pathway.

Coiled-Coil Domain Containing 23, also known as CCDC23 is a 66 amino acid protein which is encoded by a gene mapping tohuman chromosome 1. Chromosome 1 is the biggest human chromosome spanning approximately 260 million base pairsand making up 8% of the human genome. In addition, there are about 3,000 genes on chromosome 1, and taking into account thehuge number of genes there are also a big number of diseases connected with chromosome 1. One of the diseasesthat have been associated with CCDC23 is endotheliitis.

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 Bovine is also capable of activating human and other heterologous GH receptors but not ruminat GH receptors.

L-threonine to glycine degradation consists of a two-step biochemical pathway which involvs the enzymes L-threonine dehydrogenase and 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate coenzyme A ligase. L-Threonine is initially converted into 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate by L-threonine dehydrogenase. Glycine C-Acetyltransferase (GCAT) is the 2nd enzyme in this pathway, which subsequently catalyzes the reaction between 2-amino-3-ketobutyrate and coenzyme A to form glycine and acetyl-CoA. The GCAT enzyme is regard as a class II pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase. GCAT is strongly expressed in the heart, brain, liver and pancreas. GCAT is also found in lung.

CDC42 (Cell division cycle 42 isoform 1) is a small GTPase of the Rho-subfamily that regulates signaling pathways which control various cellular functions including cell morphology, migration, endocytosis and cell cycle progression. CDC42 is a plasma membrane-associated small GTPase which cycles between an active GTP-bound and an inactive GDP-bound state. In the active state, CDC42 binds to a variety of effector proteins to regulate cellular responses. CDC42 is involved in epithelial cell polarization processes. CDC42 causes the formation of thin, actin-rich surface projections called filopodia. Also, CDC42 regulates actin polymerization through its direct binding to N-WASP (Neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein), which subsequently activates Arp2/3 complex.
Loss of CDC42 function raises endocytotic uptake of apical proteins, as well as apical polarity factors such as Crumbs. The product of oncogene Dbl was described to specifically catalyze the dissociation of GDP from CDC42 protein.

Glycoprotein-9 (GP9) is a small membrane glycoprotein found on the surface of human platelets. GP9 forms a one to one noncovalent complex with glycoprotein Ib, a platelet surface membrane glycoprotein complex which functions as a receptor for von Willebrand factor. The complete receptor complex includes noncovalent association of the alpha and beta subunits with the protein and platelet glycoprotein V. GP9 gene defects cause the Bernard-Soulier syndrome, aka giant platelet disease whose patients have unusually large platelets and have a clinical bleeding tendency.

TNFSF15 is a cytokine that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. This protein is abundantly expressed in endothelial cells, but is not expressed in either B or T cells. The expression of TNFSF15 is inducible by TNF and IL-1 alpha. This cytokine is a ligand for receptor TNFRSF25 and decoy receptor TNFRSF21/DR6. It can activate NF-kappaB and MAP kinases, and acts as an autocrine factor to induce apoptosis in endothelial cells. TNFSF15 is also found to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation, and thus may function as an angiogenesis inhibitor. An additional isoform encoded by an alternatively spliced transcript variant has been reported but the sequence of this transcript has not been determined.