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SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) is small cytokine belonging to the chemokine family that is officially designated Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12). It is produced in two forms, SDF-1?/CXCL12a and SDF-1?/CXCL12b, by alternate splicing of the same gene. Chemokines are characterized by the presence of four conserved cysteines, which form two disulfide bonds. The CXCL12 proteins belong to the group of CXC chemokines, whose initial pair of cysteines are separated by one intervening amino acid. CXCL12 is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and has been implicated as an important cell co-ordinator during development. During embryogenesis it directs the migration of hematopoietic cells from foetal liver to bone marrow. Mice which were knocked-out for CXCL12 gene were lethal before the birth or within just 1 hour of life. As another role, CXCL12a alters also the electrophysiology of neurons. CXCL12 was shown to be expressend in many tissues in mice (including brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and bone marrow).
The receptor for this chemokine is CXCR4, which was previously called fusin. This CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction used to be considered exclusive (unlike for other chemokines and their receptors), but recently it was suggested that CXCL12 is also bound by CXCR7 receptor.
The gene for CXCL12 is located on human chromosome 10. In human and mouse both CXCL12 and CXCR4 show high identity of sequence: 99% and 90%, respectively.

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).

SLAMF1 is a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily and is involved in T-cell stimulation. The SLAMF1 protein is constitutively expressed on peripheral blood memory T cells, T-cell clones, immature thymocytes, and a fraction of B cells, and is swiftly induced on naive T cells after activation. There are probably 2 modes of SLAM signaling: one in which the inhibitor SH2D1A serves as a negative regulator and another in which protein-tyrosine phosphatase 2C (PTPN11)-dependent signal transduction functions.

Glypican 4, also known as GPC4, is part of a family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs) which take part in the control of cell division and growth regulation. GPC4 is broadly expressed in human tissues, including lung, kidney, heart, placenta, skeletal muscle, and pancreas. In addition, GPC4 has been shown to be present in astrocytes, haematopoietic-progenitor and bone-marrow-stromal 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.

Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SFRS1) belongs to the arginine/serine-rich splicing factor protein family, and functions in both constitutive and alternative pre-mRNA splicing. SFRS1 binds to pre-mRNA transcripts and components of the spliceosome, and can either initiate or inhibit splicing depending on the position of the pre-mRNA binding site. The ability of SFRS1 to activate splicing is controlled by phosphorylation and interactions with other splicing factor associated proteins.

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacteria that manufactures flagella.At 37 °C inside humans, it causes MogR to repress the expression of flagellar proteins, thus stopping the manufacturing of flagella. Though, in the low-temperatures externally of the host, the GmaR inactivates MogR, enabling flagellar formation.

GDNF promotes the survival and differentiation of neurons in culture, and is able to prevent apoptosis of motor neurons induced by axotomy. The encoded protein is processed to a mature secreted form that exists as a homodimer. The mature form of the protein is a ligand for the product of the RET (rearranged during transfection) protooncogene. In addition to the transcript encoding GDNF, two additional alternative transcripts encoding distinct proteins, referred to as astrocyte-derived trophic factors, have also been described. Mutations in this gene may be associated with Hirschsprung disease.
GDNF enhances survival and morphological differentiation of neurons and increases their high-affinity uptake.

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) are proteins that bind to and inhibit the activity of CDKs. Two major classes of CDK inhibitors have been identified. The p16 family (p15, p16, p18 and p19) binds to and inhibits the activities of CDK4 and CDK6. The p21 family (p21, p27, p28 and p57) can bind to broad range of CDK-cyclin complexes and inhibit their activities. CDKIs are capable of suppressing growth, and several lines of evidence strongly suggest that at least some CDKIs may be tumor suppressor proteins.

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. Natural Human Fractalkine is produced as a long protein (373-amino acid) with an extended mucin-like stalk and a chemokine domain on top. The mucin-like stalk permits it to bind to the cell surface. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

Treponema pallidum is a gram-negative spirochaete bacterium and is considered to be metabolically crippled. There are at least four known subspecies: T. pallidum pallidum, T. pallidum pertenue, T. pallidum carateum and T. pallidum endemicum. The helical structure of T. pallidum pallidum allows it to move in a corkscrew motion through viscous mediums such as mucus. Treponema pallidum sub sp. pallidum has one of the smallest bacterial genomes at 1.14 million base pairs (Mb) and has limited metabolic capabilities, reflecting its adaptation through genome reduction to the rich environment of mammalian tissue.

U2AF1 is a member of the splicing factor SR family. U2 auxiliary factor, comprising a large and asmall subunit, is a non-snRNP protein essential for the binding of U2 snRNP to the pre-mRNA branch site.U2AF1 is the small subunit which plays a vital role in both constitutive and enhancer-dependent RNA splicing bydirectly mediating interactions between the large subunit and proteins bound to the enhancers. U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 1 (U2AF1) is a protein-coding gene. Among the diseases which are associated with U2AF1:Myoclonus Epilepsy and progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy.

SCGN is a secreted calcium-binding protein which is found in the cytoplasm. It is related to calbindin D-28K and calretinin. Secretagogin is involved in KCL-stimulated calcium flux and cell proliferation.
Secretagogin plays a role in human non-functional pituitary adenomas.

Coagulation factor VIII participates in the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation; factor VIII is a cofactor for factor IXa which, in the presence of Ca+2 and phospholipids, converts factor X to the activated form Xa. This gene produces two alternatively spliced transcripts. Transcript variant 1 encodes a large glycoprotein, isoform a, which circulates in plasma and associates with von Willebrand factor in a noncovalent complex. This protein undergoes multiple cleavage events. Transcript variant 2 encodes a putative small protein, isoform b, which consists primarily of the phospholipid binding domain of factor VIIIc. This binding domain is essential for coagulant activity. Defects in this gene results in hemophilia A, a common recessive X-linked coagulation disorder.

ATPaseTransporting Beta 3 (ATP1B3) is a member of the X(+)/potassium ATPases subunit beta family. ATP1B3 is the non-catalytic component of the active enzyme, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of ATP coupled with the exchange of Na+ and K+ ions across the plasma membrane. The beta subunit controls, by way of assembly of alpha/beta heterodimers, the quantity of sodium pumps transported to the plasma membrane. The precise role of the beta-3 subunit is unknown.

RANKL binds to tnfrsf11b/opg and to tnfrsf11a/rank. Osteoclast differentiation and activation factor. Augments the ability of dendritic cells to stimulate naive t-cell proliferation. May be an important regulator of interactions between t-cells and dendritic cells and may play a role in the regulation of the t-cell-dependent immune response. sRANKL may also play an important role in enhanced bone-resorption in humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy.

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.

a-Synuclein (amino acids 1-140), an acidic neuronal protein of 140 amino acids, is extremely heat-resistant and is natively unfolded with an extended structure primarily composed of random coils. a-synuclein has been suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, and more recently, to be an important regulatory component of vesicular transport in neuronal cells. Moreover, recent studies have shown that a-synuclein has chaperone activity and that this activity is lost upon removing its C-terminal acidic tail (amino acids 96-140).

A 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

Mammalian crystallins which are water soluble structural proteins located in the vertebrate eye are classified in three forms, labeled alpha, beta and gamma. Crystallins, the primary components of the lens, raise the refractive index of the eye all through the accommodation by creating high-molecular weight aggregates that maintain transparency. CRYGS is a monomer that does not aggregate. CRYGS encodes the most substantial gamma-crystallin in adult eye lens tissue. Gamma-crystallins has a part in cataract formation due to aging or mutations in specific genes,

g-synuclein(Originally known as a breast cancer specific gene product, BCSG1) is an acidic neuronal protein of 127 amino acids. Gamma-Synuclein is a member of the Synuclein protein family, which is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. High levels of Gamma-Synuclein have been found in advanced breast carcinomas suggesting a correlation between overexpression of SNCG and breast tumor development. Synuclein-Gamma is found mostly in the peripheral nervous system (in primary sensory neurons, sympathetic neurons, and motor neurons) and retina. SNCG is also identified in the brain, ovarian tumors, and in the olfactory epithelium. SNCG expression in breast tumors is a marker for tumor progression. A modification in the expression of gamma-synuclein has been detected in the retina of Alzheimer's patients.

RAET1E is a member of the MHC class I family. MHC class I family contains main histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related genes positioned in a cluster on chromosome 6q24.2-q25.3. RAET1E and RAET1G protein are different from other RAET1 proteins since they have type I membrane-spanning sequences at their C termini instead glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor sequences.RAET1E acts as a ligand for NKG2D receptor, expressed on the surface of numerous types of immune cells, involves in innate adaptive immune reactions.RAET1E delivers signals to NK cells and advances tumor immune surveillance by inducing the growth of anti-tumor cytotoxic lymphocyte.

Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein L48, also known as MRPL48, is a mammalian mitochondrial ribosomal protein which assists in protein synthesis within the mitochondrion. Mitochondrial ribosomes, mitoribosomes, consist of a small 28S subunit and a large 39S subunit. They include an estimated 75% protein to rRNA composition while comparing to prokaryotic ribosomes, where this ratio is reversed.An additional dissimilarity between mammalian mitoribosomes & prokaryotic ribosomes is that the latter contain a 5S rRNA. Between different species, the proteins containing the mitoribosome differ very much in sequence, as well as in biochemical properties from time to time, which prevents easy recognition through sequence homology. MRPL48 encodes a 39S subunit protein. A pseudogene corresponding to MRPL48 is found on chromosome 6p.