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Recombinant Fatty Acid Binding Protein is a newly introduced plasma marker of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The plasma kinetics of FABP (15kD) closely resemble those of myoglobin in that elevated plasma concentrations are found within 2 hours after AMI and return to normal generally within 18 to 24 hours. But the concentration of FABP in the skeletal muscle is 20 times lower than in cardiac tissue (for myoglobin the same content for cardiac and skeletal tissue), that makes FABP to be more cardiac specific than myoglobin. This makes FABP a useful biochemical marker for the early assessment or exclusion of AMI. FABP also appears to be a useful plasma marker for the estimation of myocardial infarct size.

Purkinje cell protein 4-like protein 1 (PCP4L1) is a member of the PCP4 family and contains 1 IQ domain. PCP4L1 is a protein-coding gene.

Factor that is thought to be a regulator of hematopoiesis. It has been shown to enhance the growth of human mast cells and megakaryoblastic leukemic cells as well as murine helper t-cell clones. IL-9 is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 32-39 that is derived from T-cells, and maps to human chromosome 5.

Periostin is a disulfide linked 90 kDa, 811 amino acid protein originally isolated as a osteoblast-specific factor that functions as a cell adhesion molecule for preosteoblasts and is thought to be involved in osteoblast recruitment, attachment and spreading. Additionally, periostin expression has previously been shown to be significantly increased by both transforming growth factor beta-1(TGFbeta1) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2). OSF-2 has a typical signal sequence, followed by a cysteine-rich domain, a fourfold repeated domain and a C-terminal domain. The fourfold repeated domain of OSF-2 shows homology with the insect protein fasciclin
Periostin mRNA is expressed in the developing mouse embryonic and fetal heart, and that it is localized to the endocardial cushions that ultimately divide the primitive heart tube into a four-chambered heart.

Calumenin is a calcium-binding protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of mammalian tissues which plays a role in ER functions as protein folding and sorting. Calumenin belongs to a family of multiple EF-hand proteins (CERC) that include reticulocalbin, ERC-55, and Cab45 and the product of this gene. Calumenin binds 7 calcium ions having low affinity and takes part in such ER functions as protein folding and sorting.

Pleckstrin homology-like domain family A member 2 (PHLDA2) is a cytoplasmic protein, which is involved in fetal and placental growth. PHLDA2 is an apoptosis-related protein, which acts as a negative growth regulator and is expressed during normal human development. PHLDA2 is imprinted on placenta, liver and fetal tissues during embryogenesis and is removed once development is complete. The PHLDA2 gene is one of a number of genes in the imprinted gene domain of 11p15.5 which is considered to be an important tumor suppressor gene region. Changes in this region may be linked to the Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Wilms tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, adrenocortical carcinoma, and lung, ovarian, and breast cancer. PHLDA2 is expressed in placenta (present in all cells of the villous cytotrophoblast) and adult prostate gland. Furthermore, PHLDA2 is expressed in adult brain and neuroblastoma, medullablastoma and glioblastoma cell lines and at low levels in adult liver and lung, and fetal liver.

CCNA2 is a member of the highly conserved cyclin family, whose members are characterized by a dramatic periodicity in protein abundance through the cell cycle. Cyclins act as regulators of CDK kinases. Various cyclins demonstrate distinct expression and degradation patterns which contribute to the temporal coordination of each mitotic event. Contrary to cyclin A1, which is present only in germ cells, CCNA2 is expressed in all tissues tested. CCNA2 binds and activates CDC2 or CDK2 kinases, and consequently promotes both cell cycle G1/S and G2/M transitions.

Frataxin is a mitochondrial iron binding protein that is part of the FRATAXIN family. Frataxin functions in regulating mitochondrial iron transport and respiration. The expansion of intronic trinucleotide repeat GAA results in Friedreich ataxia. Frataxin plays a role in iron homeostasis. Frataxin is an anti-apoptotic protein which prevents mitochondrial damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

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).

FSTL1 protein resembles follistatin, an activin-binding protein. FSTL1 is an autoantigen associated with rheumatoid arthritis and it holds an FS section, a follistatin-like sequence having 10 conserved cysteine residues.

L-Selectin belongs to a family of divalent cation-dependent carbohydrate-binding glycoproteins or adhesion molecules. The L-Selectin molecule is composed of various domains: one homologous to lectins, one to epidermal growth factor, and two to the consensus repeat units found in C3/C4 binding proteins.
L-selectin is expressed constitutively on lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes and interacts specifically with carbohydrate groups on activated endothelial cells. L-Selectin may be shed by proteolytic cleavage and circulating levels in biological fluids may be used as an indicator of various pathological conditions. L-Selectin is cleaved by ADAM17.
L-selectin works as a "homing receptor" for leukocytes to enter secondary lymphoid tissues via the high endothelial venules. Ligands present on endothelial cells will attach to leukocytes expressing L-selectin, which causes the leukocytes to become localized at that juncture. The receptor is also located on the cell surfaces of "naive" T cells, which have not yet encountered their particular antigen. This surface expression is lost following the cells activation.

Recombinant Human Lipocalin-2 also called Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) belongs to a family of lipocans which include 25 proteins (including a1-microglobulin and b-lactoglobulin), which are characterized by their ability to bind small lipophilic substances in their hydrophobic core.
They thereby serve as transporters of substances like retinal, biliverdins & prostaglandins. There are indications that NGAL is involved in modulation of the inflammatory response and is found in the plasma of patients after stroke.

PRDX5 belongs to the peroxiredoxin family of antioxidant enzymes, which reduce hydrogen peroxide and alkyl hydroperoxides with reducing equivalents supplied through the thioredoxin system. PRDX5 has an antioxidant protective function in different tissues under normal conditions and during inflammatory processes. Peroxiredoxin-5 interacts with peroxisome receptor 1 and is involved in intracellular redox signaling. PRDX5 is involved in intracellular redox signaling. Peroxiredoxin-5 is a significant antioxidant protein of lung epithelial cells for its expression in the human lung increases during inflammation. PRDX5 expression is upregulated in osteoarthritis. PRDX5 may be significant in mitochondrial genome stability. Peroxiredoxin-5 has a protective role in human tendon cells against oxidative stress by reducing apoptosis and upholding collagen synthesis.

The centromere is a specialized chromatin domain, present throughout the cell cycle, that acts as a platform on which the transient assembly of the kinetochore occurs during mitosis. All active centromeres are characterized by the presence of long arrays nucleosomes in which CENPA replaces histone H3. CENPM is an additional factor required for centromere assembly.

Prolactin is a neuroendocrine hormone synthesized primarily by the pituitary gland but also a variety of other cell types including the placenta, brain and uterus. Its primary function is to promote and maintain lactation but has also been shown to have a role in breast cancer development, regulation of reproductive function and immunoregulation.

Thymidine phosphorylase precursor (TYMP) is a platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor that catalyzes the formation of thymine and 2-deoxy-D-ribose-1-phosphate from thymidine and orthophosphate. TYMP is an angiogenic inducer that potently stimulates the growth of endothelial cells and induces chemotaxis. TYMP has a highly restricted target cell specificity acting only on endothelial cells. An increased expression of TYMP is found in a broad array of different solid tumors and inflammatory diseases and is frequently associated with poor prognosis. Mutations in the TYMP gene are linked to mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy.

Chitinase 3-Like 2 (CHI3L2) is similar to bacterial chitinases but lacks chitinase activity. CHI3L2 protein is secreted and is involved in cartilage biogenesis. CHI3L2 is a lectin, which binds chitooligosaccharides and other glycans with high affinity.

Cell Death-Inducing DFFA-Like Effector C (CIDEC) belongs to the cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-like effector family, whose members have significant roles in apoptosis. CIDEC is expressed mainly in adipocytes, intestine, heart, stomach, and weakly in the brain, kidney and liver. CIDEC overexpression in preadipocytes induces apoptosis. CIDEC regulates enlargement of lipid droplets.

Gankyrin (proteasome 26S subunit) is a multicatalytic proteinase oncoprotein commonly overexpressed in most hepatocellular carcinomas. Proteasomes are found throughout eukaryotic cells at a high concentrations and cleave peptides in an ATP/ubiquitin-dependent process in a non-lysosomal pathway. Gankyrin interacts with S6 ATPase of the 19S regulatory particle of the 26S proteasome. Gankyrin is involved in theregulation of the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein by CDK4, and to enhance the ubiquitinylation of p53 by MDM2. Gankyrin consists of 7 ankyrin repeats and is structurally similar to I kappa Bs. Gankyrin acts as a regulatory subunit of the 26s proteasome which is involved in the atp-dependent degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. Gankyrin is involved in progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. gankyrin plays an oncogenic role especially in early stages of human epatocarcinogenesis. Gankyrin binds to NF-kappaB and suppresses its activity at the transcription level by modulating acetylation through SIRT1. Structural comparison between Gankyrin & p16(INK4A) identified numerous residues of gankyrin that are potentially important for CDK4 binding.

GREM2 which is a member of the BMP (bone morphogenic protein) antagonist family takes part in regulating organogenesis, body patterning, and tissue differentiation. GREM2 is an antagonist of BMP and like BMPs, BMP antagonists contain cystine knots and typically form homo- and heterodimers. The CAN (cerberus and dan) subfamily of BMP antagonists, is characterized by a C-terminal cystine knot with an 8-membered ring.

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. MCSF induces cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. MCSF plays a role in immunological defenses, bone metabolism, lipoproteins clearance, fertility and pregnancy.

Clusterin also named Apolipoprotein J (APO-J) is a 75-80 kD disulfide-linked heterodimeric protein containing about 30% of N-linked carbohydrate rich in sialic acid but truncated forms targeted to the nucleus have also been identified.
The precursor polypeptide chain is cleaved proteolytically to remove the 22-mer secretory signal peptide and subsequently between residues 227/228 to generate the a and b chains. These are assembled in anti-parallel to give a heterodimeric molecule in which the cysteine-rich centers are linked by five disulfide bridges and are flanked by two predicted coiled-coil a-helices and three predicted amphipathic a-helices.
Across a broad range of species clusterin shows a high degree of sequence homology ranging from 70% to 80%. It is nearly ubiquitously expressed in most mammalian tissues and can be found in plasma, milk, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and semen.
It is able to bind and form complexes with numerous partners such as immunoglobulins, lipids, heparin, bacteria, complement components, paraoxonase, beta amyloid, leptin and others. Clusterin has been ascribed a plethora of functions such as phagocyte recruitment, aggregation induction, complement attack prevention, apoptosis inhibition, membrane remodeling, lipid transport, hormone transport and/or scavenging, matrix metalloproteinase inhibition.
A genuine function of clusterin has not been defined. One tempting hypothesis says that clusterin is an extracellular chaperone protecting cells from stress induced insults caused by degraded and misfolded protein precipitates.
Clusterin is up- or down regulated on the mRNA or protein level in many pathological and clinically relevant situations including cancer, organ regeneration, infection, Alzheimer disease, retinitis pigmentosa, myocardial infarction, renal tubular damage, autoimmunity and others.

MAGEA5 belongs to the MAGEA gene family which encodes proteins with 50 to 80% sequence identity to each other. The promoters and first exons of the MAGEA genes are variable, which signify that the presence of this gene family enables the same role to be expressed under diverse transcriptional controls. The MAGEA genes are clustered at chromosomal location Xq28. They are associated with several hereditary disorders, like dyskeratosis congenita. MAGEA5 gene encodes a protein which is C-terminally truncated compared to other family members, and can be alternatively interpreted to be a pseudogene.