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CFL2 protein is a member of the actin-binding proteins ADF family which contains 1 ADF-H domain. Cofilin is a broadly distributed intracellular actin-modulating protein which binds and depolymerizes filamentous F-actin and inhibits the polymerization of monomeric G-actin in a pH-dependent manner. Defects in the CFL2 gene are the cause of nemaline myopathy type 7 (NEM7).

VAMP3 is present in recycling endosomes and endosome-derived vesicles. VAMP3 has been implicated in recycling of transferrin receptors to the plasma membrane, secretion of alpha-granules in platelets, recycling of T-cell receptors to the immunological synapses, and membrane trafficking during cell migration. VAMP-3 is present in human platelets and necessary for granule secretion. Synaptobrevins are the main components of a protein complex involved in the docking and/or fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. VAMP3 high homology to other VAMPs in its broad tissue distribution and subcellular localization is shown to be the human equivalent of the rodent cellubrevin. In platelets the protein resides on a compartment that is not mobilized to the plasma membrane on calcium or thrombin stimulation.

Vaspin (visceral adipose-specific SERPIN), a newly identified adipokine, which is a member of serine protease inhibitor family. Vaspin is also a unique insulin sensitizing adipocytokine in obesity. A recent publication indicates that induction of human vaspin mRNA expression in adipose tissue is regulated in a fat depot-specific manner and could be associated with parameters of obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism.

PPIases catalyze the cis-trans isomerization of proline imidic peptide bonds in oligopeptides and accelerate the folding of proteins. Cyclophilin-A is a cyclosporin binding-protein and may play a role in cyclosporin A-mediated immunosuppression. Cyclophilin-A can also interact with several HIV proteins, including p55 gag, Vpr, and capsid protein, and has been shown to be necessary for the formation of infectious HIV virions. Multiple pseudogenes that map to different chromosomes have been reported.

CST6 belongs to the type 2 cystatin family. Unlike other family members that act as active cysteine protease inhibitors, CST6 restrain the inhibition of cathepsin B but is not active against cathepsin C. CST6 are secretable proteins that influence osteogenesis and bone resorption, regulation of the hepatocyte growth factor receptors, and the response to systemic inflammation.

Dysbindin domain-containing protein 2 (DBNDD2) is a member of the dysbindin family. DBNDD2 regulates the activity of casein kinase-1 and inhibits CSNK1D autophosphorylation (in vitro). DBNDD2 also interacts with CSNK1D and CSNK1E. DBNDD2 is detected in brain.

Epidermal Growth Factor­like Domain Multiple 6 (EGFL6) belongs to the EGF repeat superfamily of proteins, whose members are involved in the regulation of cell cycle, proliferation, and developmental processes. EGFL6 gene product contains a signal peptide, suggesting that EGFL6 is secreted; an EGF repeat region consisting of four complete EGF-like repeats and 1 partial EGF-like repeat, 3 of which have a calcium-binding consensus sequence; an arg-gly-asp integrin association motif; and a MAM domain, which is assumed to have an adhesive function. Within shared regions, human EGFL6 shares 75% and 78% amino acid sequence identity with the mouse and rat orthologs, respectively. EGFL6 is expressed in various fetal tissues during early development such as the lung, heart, liver, spleen, cochlea and the placenta, as well as meningioma tumors.

Sprouty-Related EVH1 Domain Containing 1, also known as SPRED1, is a part of the Sprouty family of proteins and is phosphorylated by tyrosine kinase. SPRED1 inhibits growth-factor-mediated activation of MAP kinase. SPRED1 plays a role as a homodimer or as a heterodimer with SPRED2 to regulate activation of the MAP kinase cascade. SPRED1 is a negative regulator of hematopoiesis of bone marrow.

Follistatin is a single-chain gonadal protein that specifically inhibits follicle-stimulating hormone release. The single FST gene encodes two isoforms, FST317 and FST344 containing 317 and 344 amino acids respectively, resulting from alternative splicing of the precursor mRNA. In a study in which 37 candidate genes were tested for linkage and association with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hyperandrogenemia in 150 families, evidence was found for linkage between PCOS and follistatin. Follistatin binds directly to activin and functions as an activin antagonist. specific inhibitor of the biosynthesis and secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (fsh).

Alpha crystallins are composed of two gene products ; alpha-A and alpha-B, for acidic and basic, respectively. Alpha crystallins can be induced by heat shock and are members of the small heat shock protein (sHSP also known as the HSP20). They act as molecular chaperones and hold them in in large soluble aggregates. These heterogeneous aggregates consist of 30-40 subunits; the alpha-A and alpha-B subunits have a 3:1 ratio, respectively. Two additional function of a-crystallins are an autokinase activity and participation in the intracellular architecture. Alpha-B is expressed widely in many tissues and organs and occurs in many neurological diseases.

Midkine (MK) is the product of a retinoic acid responsive gene, MK, and is a member of a family of heparin binding factors. 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.

Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins (MIP) belong to the family of chemotactic cytokines known as chemokines. In humans, there are two major forms, MIP-1a and MIP-1b that are now officially named CCL3 and CCL4 respectively. Both are major factors produced by macrophages after they are stimulated with bacterial endotoxins. They activate human granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophilsand basophils) which can lead to acute neutrophilic inflammation. They also induce the synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-a from fibroblasts and macrophages. The genes for CCL3 and CCL4 are both located on human chromosome 17.

Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins (MIP) belong to the family of chemotactic cytokines known as chemokines. In humans, there are two major forms, MIP-1a and MIP-1b that are now officially named CCL3 and CCL4 respectively. Both are major factors produced by macrophages after they are stimulated with bacterial endotoxins. They activate human granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils) which can lead to acute neutrophilic inflammation. They also induce the synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-a from fibroblasts and macrophages. The genes for CCL3 and CCL4 are both located on human chromosome 17.

MMADHC is a mitochondrial protein which takes part in an early step of vitamin B1 2 metabolism. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is vital for regular development and existence in humans. Mutations in MMADHC can result in methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria type cblD, a cobalamin metabolism syndrome which is characterized by decreased levels of the coenzymes methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin.

Alpha-hemoglobin stabilizing protein (AHSP) is an erythroid-specific protein that acts as a chaperone to prevent the aggregation of A-hemoglobin during normal erythroid cell development. AHSP specifically protects free A-hemoglobin from precipitation in live cells and in solution. AHSP is expected to modulate pathological states of alpha-hemoglobin excess such as beta-thalassemia. Furthermore, AHSP promotes alpha globin chain stability in human erythropoiesis. In addition, the AHSP stabilizes the alpha-Hb chain, thus avoiding its precipitation and its ability to generate ROS, which is implicated in cell death. AHSP is expressed in blood and bone marrow. AHSP subunit is a monomer, it forms a heterodimer with free alpha-hemoglobin. On the other hand, AHSP does not bind beta-hemoglobin nor alpha2beta2 hemoglobin A. AHSP is downregulated in TSEs (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies).

Asialoglycoprotein Receptor 2 (ASGR2) is a hetero-oligomeric protein comprised of major and minor subunits, encoded by different genes. ASGR2 is a subunit of the asialoglycoprotein receptor; it is the less abundant minor subunit. The ASGR2 receptor is a transmembrane protein, which has a crucial role in serum glycoprotein homeostasis by mediating the endocytosis and lysosomal degradation of glycoproteins with exposed terminal galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine residues.

Platelet factor-4 is a 70-amino acid protein that is released from the alpha-granules of activated platelets and binds with high affinity to heparin. Its major physiologic role appears to be neutralization of heparin-like molecules on the endothelial surface of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting local antithrombin III activity and promoting coagulation. As a strong chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts, PF4 probably has a role in inflammation and wound repair. Oncostatin-A is a member of the CXC chemokine family. Human PF4 is used for the proof of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Furthermore it is used as an inhibitor in the angiogenesis during tumor therapy.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. CXCL10 is secreted by several cell types in response to IFN-?. These cell types include monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. CXCL10 has been attributed to several roles, such as chemoattraction for monocytes and T cells, promotion of T cell adhesion to endothelial cells, antitumor activity, and inhibition of bone marrow colony formation and angiogenesis. The gene for CXCL10 is located on human chromosome 4 in a cluster among several other CXC chemokines. This chemokine elicits its effects by binding to the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR3. The three-dimensional crystal structure of this chemokine has been determined under 3 different conditions to a resolution of up to 1.92A.

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.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is derived from the transcription product of the proglucagon gene. The major source of GLP-1 in the body is the intestinal L cell that secretes GLP-1 as a guthormone. The biologically active forms of GLP-1 are: GLP-1-(7-37) and GLP-1-(7-36)NH2.
GLP-1 secretion by L cells is dependent on the presence of nutrients in the lumen of the small intestine. The secretagogues (agents that causes or stimulates secretion) of this hormone include major nutrients like carbohydrate, proteinand lipid. Once in the circulation, GLP-1 has a half life of less than 2 minutes, due to rapid degradation by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4.
GLP-1 possesses several physiological properties that make it a subject of intensive investigation as a potential treatment of diabetes mellitus. The known physiological functions of GLP-1 include: Increases insulin secretion from the pancreas in a glucose-dependent manner, decreases glucagon secretion from the pancreas, increases beta cells mass and insulin gene expression, inhibits acid secretion and gastric emptying in the stomach, decreases food intake by increasing satiety.

PTX3 is part of the pentraxin family sharing the C-terminal domain with short pentraxins and containing a unique N-terminal domain. PTX3 is produced and released at inflammatory sites by various cell types including monocytes/macrophages, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and adipocytes. PTX3 is involved in the regulation of innate resistance to pathogens, inflammatory reactions, possibly clearance of self-components and female fertility. PTX3 is used as a marker for disease activity of psoriasis. High serum PTX3 levels are associated with the disease severity of systemic sclerosis. Elevated serum PTX3 is associated with pulmonary fungal infections.

Hemoglobin subunit gamma-2 (HBG2), is a member of the globin family. HBG2 belongs to the fetal hemoglobin subunit, which comprised of two alpha chains organized with 2 gamma chains. HBG2 Amplified fetal hemoglobin production in adults and improve the clinical severity of sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia major.

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.