Search results

Streptavidin is a tetrameric protein secreted by Streptomyces avidinii which binds firmly to biotin. Streptavidin is widely used in molecular biology through its unique high affinity for the vitamin biotin. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the biotin-streptavidin complex is about ~10-15 mol/L. The strong affinity recognition of biotin and biotinylated molecules has made streptavidin one of the most important components in diagnostics and laboratory kits. The streptavidin/biotin system has one of the biggest free energies of association of yet observed for noncovalent binding of a protein and small ligand in aqueous solution (K_assoc = 10**14). The complexes are also extremely stable over a wide range of temperature and pH.

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.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the sn-2 position of membrane glycerophospholipids to liberate arachidonic acid (AA), a precursor of eicosanoids including prostaglandins and leukotrienes. The same reaction also produces lysophosholipids, which represent another class of lipid mediators.
The secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) family, in which 10 isozymes have been identified, consists of low molecular weight, Ca2+-requiring secretory enzymes that have been implicated in a number of biological processes, such as modification of eicosanoid generation, inflammation, and host defense.
This enzyme has been proposed to hydrolyze phosphatidylcholine (PC) in lipoproteins to liberate lyso- PC and free fatty acids in the arterial wall, thereby facilitating the accumulation of bioactive lipids and modified lipoproteins in atherosclerotic foci.
In mice, sPLA2 expression significantly influences HDL particle size and composition and demonstrate that an induction of sPLA2 is required for the decrease in plasma HDL cholesterol in response to inflammatory stimuli. Instillation of bacteria into the bronchi was associated with surfactant degradation and a decrease in large:small ratio of surfactant aggregates in rats.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that was previously called PARC (pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine). CCL18 is approximately 60% identical in amino acid sequence to CCL3. It is expressed at high levels in lung and at lower levels in certain lymphoid tissues, such as the lymph nodes, and is chemotactic for activated T cells and non activated lymphocytes. The gene for human CCL18 contains three exons and is located on chromosome 17.

NCS1 is part of the neuronal calcium sensor gene family, which encode calcium-binding proteins expressed primarily in neurons. NCS1 regulates G protein-coupled receptor phosphorylation in a calcium-dependent manner and can substitute for calmodulin. NCS1 is related with secretory granules and modulates synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. NCS1 regulates GRK1 and substitutes for calmodulin. NCS1 stimulates PI4KB kinase activity and participates in long-term synaptic plasticity through its interaction with PICK1. NCS1 takes part in neuron differentiation through inhibition of the activity of N-type voltage-gated calcium channel.

Myosin regulatory light chains, including MRCL3, MYLPF and MYL9, regulate contraction in smooth muscle and non-muscle cells via phosphorylation by MLCK (myosin light chain kinase). Phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chains, catalyzed by MLCK in the presence of calcium and calmodulin, increases the actin-activated myosin ATPase activity, thus regulating the contractile activity. MYLPF is vital for fast and slow skeletal muscle development.

ASCC1 is a subunit of the triggering signal cointegrator 1 (ASC-1) complex which is a transcriptional coactivator. ASC-1 complex takes a vital part in gene transactivation using various transcription factors such as activating protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) and serum response factor (SRF). ASCC1 has an N-terminal KH-type RNA-binding motif, essential for AP-1 transactivation by the ASC-1 complex. Alterations in ASCC1 result in Barrett esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 6 (CEACAM6) is a part of the human carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) family. CEACAM6 belongs to the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked immunoglobulin superfamily which is involved in various human cancers. CEACAM6 is linked to the progression of pancreatic cancer.

Vav 1 Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor (VAV1), belongs to the VAV gene family. The VAV1 proteins are guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for Rho family GTPases which activate pathways leading to actin cytoskeletal rearrangements and transcriptional alterations. VAV1 is essential in hematopoiesis, taking part in T-cell and B-cell development and activation. VAV1 has been identified as the specific binding partner of Nef proteins from HIV-1. In addition, VAV1 contains an SH2 domain, which could show its function as a substrate for tyrosine kinases. Expression of VAV1 is limited solely to cells of hematopoietic origin, as well as those of the erythroid, lymphoid and myeloid lineages. Among the diseases associated with VAV1 are cherubism, and hiv-1.

Nephroblastoma Overexpressed (NOV) which is encoded by the NOV gene is a part of the CCN (CTGF/CYR61/NOV) family. NOV takes part in reducing tumorgenicity and proliferation of certain cancer cell lines. NOV interacts with numerous proteins and is involved in both internal and external cell signaling. NOV is expressed in particular tumors, including Wilm’s tumor and most nephroblastomas and is also exerts proangiogenic activities.

Syntaxin is membrane integrated Q-SNARE protein participating in exocytosis. Syntaxin is composed of an N-terminal regulatory domain (Habc), a SNARE domain (known as H3), and a single C-terminal transmembrane domain. The SNARE (H3) domain binds to both synaptobrevin and SNAP-25 forming the core SNARE complex. Synaptic vesicles store neurotransmitters that are released during calcium-regulated exocytosis. The specificity of neurotransmitter release requires the localization of both synaptic vesicles and calcium channels to the presynaptic active zone. Syntaxins function in this vesicle fusion process. Syntaxins also serve as a substrate for botulinum neurotoxin type C, a metalloprotease that blocks exocytosis and has high affinity for a molecular complex that includes the alpha-latrotoxin receptor which produces exocytosis.

Syntaxin-11 (STX11) belongs to the t-SNARE family. Syntaxin-11 regulates protein transport between late endosomes and the trans-Golgi network. STX11 interacts with the SNARE proteins SNAP-23 and VAMP. STX11 gene mutations are linked with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Wheat Gliadin and related gluten components from barley, rye and possibly oats can cause an abnormal immune response called Celiac disease which is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Celiac disease characteristics are flattening of the jejunal mucosa and intestinal lesions of variable severity in hereditarily inclined individuals. Even though Celiac disease is not a classic autoimmune disease it is related to anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies and gliadin antibodies tests are most recommended in screening populations at risk for CD and other gluten-sensitive enteropathies. In the past, serologic tests for gliadin antibodies usually were not very precise and were not enough for accurate diagnosis due to missing deamidated epitopes within the authentic gliadin fraction traditionally used in diagnostic test kits. ProSpec's deamidated Gliadin isoform matches to the deamidated neo-epitopes, which in the natural antigen are formed by transglutaminase-mediated glutamine side chain deamidation.

CMV belongs to the Betaherpesvirinae 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.

EMC2 is an element of the ER membrane protein complex. EMC2 is a member of the EMC2 family and holds 3 TPR repeats.

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.

TES also called Testin is a tumor suppressor protein which is involved in cell adhesion, cell spreading and in the restructuring of the actin cytoskeleton. TES protein localizes to cell-cell contacts and actin stress fibres, and interacts with a diversity of cytoskeletal proteins such as Zyxin, Mena, VASP, Talin and Actin. The ability of TES to associate with alpha-actinin, paxillin and Zyxin is dependent on the conformational form of the protein.

Yersinia enterocolitica is a Gram-negative bacillus-shaped bacterium, which is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Y.Enterocolitica is motile at temperatures between 22-29°C, however becomes non-motile at normal human body temperature. Y. Enterocolitica infection causes the yersiniosis disease, which is an animal-borne disease occurring in humans, as well as in a various groups of animals such as cattle, deer, pigs, and birds. Yersinia enterocolitica is a heterogeneous group of strains, which are conventionally classified by bio-typing into six bio-groups on the basis of phenotypic characteristics, and by serotyping into more than 57 “O” serogroups, on the basis of their O (lipopolysaccharide or LPS) surface antigen. Five of the six biogroups (1B and 2–5) are considered as pathogens. Nevertheless, only a few of these serogroups have been linked with disease in either humans or animals. Strains which belong to serogroups O:3 (biogroup 4), O:5,27 (biogroups 2 and 3), O:8 (biogroup 1B), and O:9 (biogroup 2) are most frequently isolated worldwide from human samples. Still, the main Y. enterocolitica serogroup in many European countries is serogroup O:3 followed by O:9, whereas the serogroup O:8 is mostly detected in the United States.

EDA2R (ectodysplasin A2 receptor) mediates the activation of the NF-kappa-B and JNK pathways. Activation seems to be mediated through binding to TRAF3 and TRAF6. In addition, Mutations in EDA give rise to a clinical syndrome characterized by loss of hair, sweat glands, and teeth. EDA2R specifically binds to EDA-A2 isoform. This protein is a type III transmembrane protein of the TNFR (tumor necrosis factor receptor) superfamily, and contains 3 cysteine-rich repeats and a single transmembrane domain however it lacks an N-terminal signal peptide. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene. Among the diseases associated with EDA2R are ectodermal dysplasia 1, hypohidrotic, x-linked, and hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

Gastrokine 3 (GKN3P) is a Pseudogene, which May inhibit gastric epithelial cell proliferation.

Prefoldin subunit 2 (PFDN2) belongs to the prefoldin beta subunit family. The PFDN2 protein is one of 6 subunits of prefoldin, which is a molecular chaperone complex that binds and stabilizes newly synthesized polypeptides, thus allowing them to fold correctly. PFDN2 binds specifically to cytosolic chaperonin (c-CPN) and transfers target proteins to it. PFDN2 also binds to a nascent polypeptide chain and promotes folding in an setting in which there are many competing pathways for nonnative proteins.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 3, also known as CEACAM3, is a member of the immunoglobulin super family. The genes in this family encode cell adhesion proteins, which are expressed at higher levels in tumorous tissues rather than in normal tissues. CEACAM3 plays a significant part in the clearance of pathogens through the innate immune system. In addition, CEACAM3 is accountable for RAC1 stimulation in the course of pathogen phagocytosis.