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NXT1 operates as a nuclear export factor in both RAN and CRM1 dependent pathways. NXT1 is known to stimulate the export of U1 snRNA in RAN (Ras-related nuclear protein) and CRM1 (chromosome region maintenance) dependent pathways and the export of tRNA and mRNA in a CRM1-independent pathway. This protein heterodimerizes with Tap protein and regulates the ability of Tap protein to intermediate nuclear mRNA export.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. As its name implies, VEGF activity has been mostly studied on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g. stimulation monocyte/ macrophagemigration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ).VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesisand cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor. Elevated levels of this protein are linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

IGFBP3 is a member of the IGFBP family and encodes a protein with an IGFBP domain and a thyroglobulin type-I domain. The protein forms a ternary complex with IGFALS and either IGF I or II. In this form, it circulates in the plasma, prolonging the half-life of IGFs and altering their interaction with cell surface receptors. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized.

Transcription factor MafG (MAFG) is a member of the Maf family. Given that they lack a putative transactivation domain, the small Mafs act as transcriptional repressors when they dimerize amongst themselves. Nevertheless, they seem to function as transcriptional activators by dimerizing with other (generally larger) basic-zipper proteins and engaging them to specific DNA-binding sites. Small Maf proteins heterodimerize with Fos and may function as competitive repressors of the NF-E2 transcription factor.

TNFR2 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR2 is receptor with high affinity for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and approximately 5-fold lower affinity for homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha. TNFR2 mediates the majority of the metabolic effects of TNF-alpha. In addition, knockout studies in mice propose a role for TNFR2 in protecting neurons from apoptosis by stimulating antioxidative pathways. TNFR2 expression might have a significant role in the angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and metastasis of Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast.
There are 2 types of soluble TNF receptors: sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II, which act to neutralize the biological activities of TNF alpha and TNF beta. The levels of these soluble receptors seem to increase as a result of shedding of the extracellular domains of the membrane bound receptors. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women. TNFR2 and TNFR1 form a heterocomplex which mediates the recruitment of 2 anti-apoptotic proteins, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2, which possess E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. IAPs’ function in TNF-receptor signaling is unknown; nevertheless, c-IAP1 is believed to potentiate TNF-induced apoptosis by the ubiquitination and degradation of TNF-receptor-associated factor 2, which mediates anti-apoptotic signals. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.

Biglycan (BGN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which takes part in assembly of collagen fibrils and muscle regeneration. BGN is closely correlated in structure to two other small proteoglycans, decorin and fibromodulin. BGN interacts with several proteins involved in muscular dystrophy, including alpha-dystroglycan, alpha- and gamma-sarcoglycan and collagen VI. BGN is also critical for the assembly of the dystrophin-associated protein complex.

SUMF1 is a part of the SUMF protein family. SUMF1 catalyzes the hydrolysis of sulfate esters by oxidizing a cysteine residue in the substrate sulfatase to an active site 3-oxoalanine residue called C-alpha-formylglycine. Mutations in this gene will cause multiple sulfatase deficiency meaning a lysosomal storage disorder.

HIV-1 and HIV-2 appear to package their RNA differently. HIV-1 binds to any appropriate RNA whereas HIV-2 preferentially binds to mRNA which creates the Gag protein itself. This means that HIV-1 is better able to mutate. HIV-2 is transmitted in the same ways as HIV-1: Through exposure to bodily fluids such as blood, semen, tears and vaginal fluids.
Immunodeficiency develops more slowly with HIV-2.
HIV-2 is less infectious in the early stages of the virus than with HIV-1.
The infectiousness of HIV-2 increases as the virus progresses.
Major differences include reduced pathogenicity of HIV-2 relative to HIV-1, enhanced immune control of HIV-2 infection and often some degree of CD4-independence. Despite considerable sequence and phenotypic differences between HIV-1 and 2 envelopes, structurally they are quite similar. Both membrane-anchored proteins eventually form the 6-helix bundles from the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the ectodomain, which is common to many viral and cellular fusion proteins and which seems to drive fusion.
HIV-1 gp41 helical regions can form more stable 6-helix bundles than
HIV-2 gp41 helical regions however HIV-2 fusion occurs at a lower threshold temperature (25°C), does not require Ca2+ in the medium, is insensitive to treatment of target cells with cytochalasin B, and is not affected by target membrane glycosphingolipid composition.

TNFR1 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR1 is a receptor for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha.
There are 2 types of soluble TNF receptors: sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II, which act to neutralize the biological activities of TNF alpha and TNF beta. The levels of these soluble receptors seem to increase as a result of shedding of the extracellular domains of the membrane bound receptors. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.
TNFR1 is capable of signaling both cell survival and apoptosis. TNFR1-induced apoptosis requires 2 sequential signaling complexes. TNFR1 is capable of activating NF-kappaB, mediate apoptosis, and function as a regulator of inflammation. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNFR1 contributes to the induction of non-cytocidal TNF effects including anti-viral state and activation of the acid sphingomyelinase. Human TNFR1 has a major region which controls cell surface expression. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women.
Germline mutations of the extracellular domains of TNFR1 are linked to the autosomal dominant periodic fever syndrome. The impaired receptor clearance is believed to be a mechanism of the disease. Familial hibernian fever (FHF) is caused by defects in TNFRSF1A gene.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. As its name implies, VEGF activity has been mostly studied on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g. stimulation monocyte/ macrophagemigration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ).VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesisand cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.
Elevated levels of this protein are linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

GTPase, IMAP Family Member 5 (GIMAP5) is a part of the GTP-binding superfamily and the immuno-associated nucleotide subfamily of nucleotide-binding proteins. GIMAP5 is an antiapoptotic protein which is required for mitochondrial integrity and T-cell survival. Polymorphisms in GIMAP5 are related with systemic lupus erythematosus. Read-through transcription can be found between GIMAP5 and the neighboring upstream GIMAP1 (GTPase, IMAP family member 1) gene. GIMAP5 also contributes to T-cell quiescence.

Human TNFRSF10A is a type 1 transmembrane protein in the TNF R superfamily. TNFRSF10A is not expressed in rodents. The trimeric ligand Trail binds TNFRSF10A and induces apoptosis, and recombinant, soluble forms of the receptor inhibit Trail-induced apoptosis. TNFRSF10A is expressed generally in damaged, infected, and malignant cells. TNFRSF10A functions in immune surveillance, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells but not normal cells.

Hemoglobin Subunit Zeta (Hbz) or Hba-x is a alpha-like hemoglobin and part of the globin family. The protein is expressed and produced in the the yolk sac in early stages of embryonic development. Hemoglobin subunit zeta has 2 pseudogenes and 5 functional genes.

KLF4 is a transcription factor that performs as both an activator and repressor. KLF4 is expressed mainly in erythroid tissues and found mostly in gut. KLF4 is takes part in the differentiation of epithelial cells in addition to skeletal and kidney development.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), the major etiologic agent of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis worldwide, is a spherical, non-enveloped, single stranded RNA virus that is approximately 32 to 34 nm in diameter. HEV belongs to a genus of HEV-like viruses (unassigned genus). HEV has a single-stranded polyadenylated RNA genome of approximately 8 kb. Based on its physicochemical properties it is presumed to be a calici-like virus.

HBsAg is the surface antigen of the Hepatitis-B-Virus (HBV). The capsid of a virus has different surface proteins from the rest of the virus. The antigen is a protein that binds specifically on one of these surface proteins. It is commonly referred to as the Australian Antigen. HBsAg is an important parameter to establish a diagnosis of hepatitis B disease in the clinic and to monitor antiviral treatment.

Defensins are cationic peptides with a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity that comprise an important arm of the innate immune system. The Alpha defensins are differentiated from the Beta-defensins by the pairing of their 3 disulfide bonds.
4 human Beta-defensins have been identified to date; BD-1, BD-2, BD-3 and BD-4.
Beta-defensins are expressed on some leukocytes and at epithelial surfaces.
In addition to their direct antimicrobial activities, they are chemoattractant towards immature dendritic cells and memory T cells. The beta-defensin proteins are expressed as the C-terminal portion of precursors and are released by proteolytic cleavage of a signal sequence and, in the case of BD-1 (36 a.a.), a propeptide region. Beta-defensins contain a six-cysteine motif that forms three intra-molecular disulfide bonds. Beta-Defensins are 3-5 kDa peptides ranging in size from 33-47 amino acid residues.

LGALS8 is a prostate-specific antigen that is solely overexpressed in malignant tumors and thus is a supplementary specific identifier of malignancies. LGALS8 is part of the galectin gene family which facilitates both cell-cell and cell matrix interactions in a method parallel to the selectin subgroup of C-type lectins.

Mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-MET) is a proto-oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase. The endogenous ligand for c-MET is HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), which is a disulfide-linked heterodimeric molecule produced predominantly by mesenchymal cells. In the adult, c-MET protein expression is limited to stem and progenitor cells and is required for wound healing and hepatocyte regeneration. In the embryo, c-MET receptors are expressed on cells of epithelial origin, which are vital for invasive growth and mediate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Abnormal activation of the HGF/MET pathway leads to a variety of cancers. c-MET mutation is linked with a poor prognosis since it can trigger tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), the major etiologic agent of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis worldwide, is a spherical, non-enveloped, single stranded RNA virus that is approximately 32 to 34 nm in diameter. HEV belongs to a genus of HEV-like viruses (unassigned genus). HEV has a single-stranded polyadenylated RNA genome of approximately 8 kb. Based on its physicochemical properties it is presumed to be a calici-like virus.

CD70 also known as TNFSF7 is a cytokine which binds to CD27. TNFSF7 takes part in T-cell activation as well as induces the proliferation of costimulated T-cells. Moreover, TNFSF7 enhances the generation of cytolytic T-cells. Among the diseases which are associated with TNFSF7: Include acute myocarditis & Myocarditis.

CD30 Ligand (TNFSF8) is a cytokine which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. The TNFSF8 cytokine is a ligand for TNFRSF8/CD30, which is a cell surface antigen and a marker for Hodgkin lymphoma and related hematologic malignancies. The employment of the TNFSF8 cytokine expressed on B cell surface has an inhibitory role in modulating Ig class switch. TNFSF8 enhances cell proliferation of some lymphoma cell lines, while inducing cell death and reducing cell proliferation of other lymphoma cell lines. The pleiotropic biological activities of the TNFSF8 cytokine on different CD30+ lymphoma cell lines has a pathophysiologic role in Hodgkin's and some non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

GST family of enzymescomprises a long list of cytosolic, mitochondrial, and microsomalproteinsthat are 45-55 kDa (dimer form) size and are capable of multiple reactions with a multitude of substrates, both endogenousand xenobiotic. GST catalyses the conjugation of reduced glutathione meaning the sulfhydryl group, to electrophilic centers on a wide variety of substrates. This activity is useful in the detoxification of endogenous compounds such as peroxidised lipids, as well as the metabolism of xenobiotics. GST binds toxins and function as transport protein. Glutathione S-transferase is used to create the so-called 'GST gene fusion system'. The GST is used to purify and detect proteins of interest. In a GST gene fusion system, the GST sequence is incorporated into an expression vector alongside the gene sequence encoding the protein of interest. Induction of protein expression from the vector's multiple cloning sites results in expression of a fusion protein - the protein of interest fused to the GST protein. This GST-fusion protein can then be purified from cells via its high affinity for glutathione. Fusion proteins offer an important biological assay for direct protein-to-protein interactions. The GST tag has the size of 220 amino acids, which, compared to other tags like the myc- or the FLAG-tag, is quite big. It is fused to the N-terminusof a protein. However, many commercially-available sources of GST-tagged plasmids include a thrombindomain for cleavage of the GST tag during protein purification. A GST-tag is often used to separate and purify proteins that contain the GST-fusion. GST-fusion proteins can be produced in Escherichia coli, as recombinant proteins.

GM-CSF Receptor Alpha (CSF2RA) is the alpha subunit of the heterodimeric receptor for colony stimulating factor 2, a cytokine which controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. CSFR2 is also a member of the cytokine family of receptors. In addition, this gene is found in the pseudoautosomal region (PAR) of the X and Y chromosomes. Multiple transcript variants encoding various isoforms have been found for this gene, while some of the isoforms being membrane-bound and others being soluble. Diseases associated with CSF2RA include surfactant metabolism dysfunction, pulmonary 4, and csf2ra-related pulmonary surfactant metabolism dysfunction.