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GMFB is part of the GMF subfamily of the larger actin-binding protein ADF family. GMFB is phosphorylated after phorbol ester stimulation, and is crucial for the nervous system. GMFB causes brain cell differentiation, stimulates neural regeneration and inhibits tumor cell proliferation. GMFB overexpression in astrocytes results in the increase of BDNF production. GMFB expression is increased by exercise, thus BDNF is important for exercise-induction of BDNF.

GMCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. The active form of the protein is found extracellularly as a homodimer. This gene has been localized to a cluster of related genes at chromosome region 5q31, which is known to be associated with interstitial deletions in the 5q- syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia. Other genes in the cluster include those encoding interleukins 4, 5, and 13. GM-CSF stimulates the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic precursor cells from various lineages, including granulocytes, macrophages, eosinophils and erythrocytes.

Prolactin is a pituitary hormone involved in the stimulation of milk production, salt and water regulation, growth, development and reproduction. The initial step in its action is the binding to a specific membrane receptor (prolactin receptor) which belongs to the superfamily of class 1 cytokine receptors. The function of the prolactin receptor is mediated, at least in part, by two families of signaling molecules: Janus kinases and signal transducers and activators of transcription. Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone involved in a variety of important functions including ion transport and osmoregulation, stimulation of milk, protein synthesis as well as the regulation of numerous reproductive functions. PRL exerts its influence on different cell types through a signal transduction pathway which begins with the binding of the hormone to a transmembrane PRL receptor. Immunoreactive PRL receptor, a member of the cytokine receptor family, varies in size (short and long forms) with tissue source and species, from ~40 kDa to 100 kDa. The PRL receptor consists of at least three separate domains: an extracellular region with 5 cysteines which contains the prolactin binding site, a single transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic region, the length of which appears to influence ligand binding and regulate cellular function.

FOS-Like Antigen 2, also known as FOSL2 is a protein which is encoded in humans by the FOSL2 gene. The Fos gene family consists of four members: FOS, FOSB, FOSL1, and FOSL2. Furthermore, these genes encode leucine zipper proteins which can dimerize with proteins of the JUN family, in that way forming the transcription factor complex AP-1. As such, the FOS proteins have been involved as regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation, as well transformation.

WNT1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 2 (WISP2) belongs to the WNT1 inducible signaling pathway (WISP) protein subfamily, which belongs to the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) family. The CTGF family members are characterized by 4 conserved cysteine-rich domains: insulin-like growth factor-binding domain, von Willebrand factor type C module, thrombospondin domain and C-terminal cystine knot-like (CT) domain. WISP2 protein lacks the CT domain which is implicated in dimerization binding. WISP2 is possibly involved in bone remodeling. WISP2 is expressed in primary osteoblasts and fibroblasts. WISP2 stimulates osteoblast adhesion and inhibits osteocalcin production. WISP2 expression in colon tumors is reduced while the other 2 WISP members are overexpressed in colon tumors. WISP2 may play an imperative role in modulating bone turnover.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL7) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. It is a protein that is released in large amounts from platelets following their activation. It stimulates various processes including mitogenesis, synthesis of extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism and synthesis of plasminogen activator.

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.

Cleavage stimulation factor subunit 1 (CSTF1) is involved in the polyadenylation and 3'end cleavage of pre-mRNAs. The CSTF1 gene encodes one of three subunits which merge to produce cleavage stimulation factor (CSTF). Like the mammalian G protein beta subunits, CSTF1 contains transducin-like repeats. CSTF1 is one of the numerous factors necessary for polyadenylation and 3'-end cleavage of mammalian pre-mRNAs. CSTF1 is responsible for the interaction of CSTF with other factors to create a stable complex on the pre-mRNA.

Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least eighteen structurally realted proteins that are involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cell growth, differentation, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family if type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. Four distinct genes encoding closely related FGF receptors, FGFR-1to -4 are known. Multiple forms of FGFR-1 to -3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGFR-1 and -2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the alpha isoform, or only IgII and IgIII, referred to as the ? isoform. Only the alpha isoform has been identified for FGFR-3 and FGFR-4. Additional splicing events for FGFR-1 to -3, involving the C-terminal half of the IgIII domain encoded by two mutually exclusive alternative exons, generate FGF receptors with alternative IgIII domains (IIIb and IIIc). A IIIa isoform which is a secreted FGF binding protein containing only the N-terminal half of the IgIII domain plus some intron sequences has also been reported for FGFR-1. Mutations in FGFR-1 to -3 have been found in patients with birth defects involving craniosynostosis.

Tumor necrosis factor is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction. TNF is mainly secreted by macrophages.
TNF causes apoptotic cell death, cellular proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, tumorigenesis and viral replication, TNF is also involved in lipid metabolism, and coagulation. TNF's primary role is in the regulation of immune cells.
Dysregulation and, in particular, overproduction of TNF have been implicated in a variety of human diseases- autoimmune diseases, insulin resistance, and cancer.

Midkine (MK) is the product of a retinoic acid responsive gene. 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.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF R) subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases comprises four members: EGF R (also known as HER1, ErbB1 or ErbB), ErbB2 (Neu, HER-2), ErbB3 (HER-3), and ErbB4 (HER-4). All family members are type I transmembrane glycoprotein that has an extracellular domain which contains two cysteine-rich domains separated by a spacer region that is involved in ligand-binding, and a cytoplasmic domain which has a membrane-proximal tyrosine kinase domain and a C-terminal tail with multiple tyrosine autophosphorylation sites. The human EGF R gene encodes a 1210 amino acid (aa) residue precursor with a 24 aa putative signal peptide, a 621 aa extracellular domain, a 23 aa transmembrane domain, and a 542 aa cytoplasmic domain. EGF R has been shown to bind a subset of the EGF family ligands, including EGF, amphiregulin, TGF-a , betacellulin, epiregulin, heparin-binding EGF and neuregulin-2 in the absence of a co-receptor. Ligand binding induces EGF R homodimerization as well as heterdimerization with ErbB2, resulting in kinase activation, tyrosine phosphorylation and cell signaling. EGF R can also be recruited to form heterodimers with the ligand-activated ErbB3 or ErbB4. EGF R signaling has been shown to regulate multiple biological functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, motility and apoptosis. In addition, EGF R signaling has also been shown to play a role in carcinogenesis.

The term ‘PDGF’ refers to a family of disulphide bond-linked dimeric isoforms that act as autocrine and paracrine growth factors and are produced by a variety of cell types other than platelets.
They act as potent mitogens for almost all mesenchymally-derived cells. Aberrant expression is involved in certain cancers, fibroproliferative disorders and atherosclerosis. The protein also contributes to wound healing and neural regeneration. There are four members of the PDGF family – PDGF A, PDGF B, PDGF C and PDGF D. Two distinct types of PDGF-A exist – a short form that is soluble and a long form that is retained by the extracellular matrix.

GH is a member of the prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the GH locus on chromosome 17 where they are interspersed in the same transcriptional orientation; an arrangement which is thought to have evolved by a series of gene duplications. The five genes share a remarkably high degree of sequence identity. Alternative splicing generates additional isoforms of each of the five GHs, leading to further diversity and potential for specialization. This particular family member is expressed in the pituitary but not in placental tissue as is the case for the other four genes in the GH locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to GH deficiency and short stature.

CNTF is a polypeptide hormone whose actions appear to be restricted to the nervous system where it promotes neurotransmitter synthesis and neurite outgrowth in certain neuronal populations. The protein is a potent survival factor for neurons and oligodendrocytes and may be relevant in reducing tissue destruction during inflammatory attacks. A mutation in this gene, which results in aberrant splicing, leads to ciliary neurotrophic factor deficiency, but this phenotype is not causally related to neurologic disease. In addition to the predominant monocistronic transcript originating from this locus, the gene is also co-transcribed with the upstream ZFP91 gene. Co-transcription from the two loci results in a transcript that contains a complete coding region for the zinc finger protein but lacks a complete coding region for ciliary neurotrophic factor.
CNTF is a survival factor for various neuronal cell types. Seems to prevent the degeneration of motor axons after axotomy.

Osteoprotegerin acts as decoy receptor for rankl and thereby neutralizes its function in osteoclastogenesis. OPG inhibits the activation of osteoclasts and promotes osteoclast apoptosis in vitro. Bone homeostasis seems to depend on the local rankl/opg ratio. Osteoprotegerin may also play a role in preventing arterial calcification. May act as decoy receptor for trail and protect against apoptosis. Trail binding blocks the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.

EIF1B is critical for the scanning process in vitro. EIF1B is an element of a complex involved in recognition of the initiator codon during the scanning process. Translation is also initiated by the function of EIF1B in regulating the activity of ribosomal subunits 43S, 48S and 40S. EIF1B enables 43S ribosomal complexes to distinguish between cognate and near-cognate initiation codons, perceiving the nucleotide content of initiation codons.

CNTF is a polypeptide hormone whose actions appear to be restricted to the nervous system where it promotes neurotransmitter synthesis and neurite outgrowth in certain neuronal populations. The protein is a potent survival factor for neurons and oligodendrocytes and may be relevant in reducing tissue destruction during inflammatory attacks. A mutation in this gene, which results in aberrant splicing, leads to ciliary neurotrophic factor deficiency, but this phenotype is not causally related to neurologic disease. In addition to the predominant monocistronic transcript originating from this locus, the gene is also co-transcribed with the upstream ZFP91 gene. Co-transcription from the two loci results in a transcript that contains a complete coding region for the zinc finger protein but lacks a complete coding region for ciliary neurotrophic factor.
CNTF is a survival factor for various neuronal cell types. Seems to prevent the degeneration of motor axons after axotomy.

TRAIL Receptor-4 Human Recombinant or TNFRSF10D, is part of the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFRSF10D has atruncated cytoplasmic death domai , an extracellular TRAIL-binding domain and a transmembrane domain. The protein can prevent from TRAIL-mediated apoptosis on cells with TRAIL R1 and/or TRAIL R2.

Active IL-12 is a p70 disulphide-linked dimer composed of p35 and p40 subunits. The protein is a pleiotropic cytokine produced primarily by antigen presenting cells and has multiple effects on T lymphocytes and natural killer cells in terms of stimulating cytotoxicity, proliferation, production of other cytokines and Th1 subset differentiation.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 21 or TNFRSF21, is a protein that located in the cell membrane from the TNF receptor superfamily. By activating the NF-kappaB pathway, TNFRSF21 promotes cell apoptosis. The degeneration of cells caused by activating caspase 3 and caspase 6, the TNFRSF21 binds to the N-terminal APP in neuronal cell bodies and axons which leads to apoptosis. TNFRSF21 takes part in signaling cascades activated by stimulation of T-cell receptor.

GF-like family receptor 1 (IGFLR1) is encoded by a gene mapping to human chromosome 19. IGFLR1 which is cell membrane receptor for the IGF-like family proteins binds IGFL1 and IGFL3 with a higher affinity and may as well bind IGFL2.

Resistin, a product of the RSTN gene, is a peptide hormone belonging to the class of cysteine-rich secreted proteins which is termed the RELM family, and is also described as ADSF (Adipose Tissue- Specific Secretory Factor) and FIZZ3 (Found in Inflammatory Zone). Human resistin contains 108 amino acids as a prepeptide, and its hydrofobic signal peptide is cleaved before its secretion. Resistin circulates in human blood as a dimeric protein consisting of two 92 amino acid polypeptides, which are disulfide-linked via Cys26.
Resistin may be an important link between obesity and insulin resistance. Mouse resistin, specifically produced and secreted by adipocyte, acts on skeletal muscle myocytes, hepatocytes and adipocytes themselves so that it reduces their sensitivity to insulin. Steppan et al. have suggested that resistin suppresses the ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake. They have also suggested that resistin is present at elevated levels in blood of obese mice, and is down regulated by fasting and antidiabetic drugs. Way et al., on the other hand, have found that resistin expression is severly suppressed in obesity and is stimulated by several antidiabetic drugs.
Other studies have shown that mouse resistin increases during the differentiation of adipocytes, but it also seems to inhibit adipogenesis. In contrast, the human adipogenic differentiation is likely to be associated with a down regulation of resistin gene expression.

PLGF is a growth factor active in angiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth, stimulating their proliferation and migration. It binds to receptor vegfr-1/flt1.