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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.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.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/macrophage migration, 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 mitogenesis and cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.
Elevated levels of VEGF is linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in VEGF have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

Receptors across the cell membrane interact with some viral glycoproteins therefor enabling HSV to enter the host cell. The HSV enter through pores created by the binding of particular receptors across the cell membrane with the virus's coating envelope, following by a fusion of the HSV and the host cell. HSV enters the host cell through the same mechanism and stages as other viruses do. Initially, matching receptors across the virus's envelope and host cell's membrane interacts and bring the two together. During the transitional stage, begins fusion between the host cell and virus (hemifusion state). The closing stage happens when a steady pore was made; through these pores the virus's particles enter the cell.

Noroviruses are categorized into two groups - group 1 and group 2. Norovirus is a widespread virus which can cause human gastroenteritis, an illness characterized with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and sickness. In America there are about 20 million causes of infection by Nororvirus, 800 ending in deaths. Worldwide, this virus infects around 267 million people and causes over 200,000 deaths per year. Even though having norovirus is unpleasant, it is seldom dangerous and typically ends in full recovery after few days. The cases resulting in deaths are primarily very young, elderly and immuno-suppressed individuals and people from less developed countries. Norovirus is extremely contagious and is spread from person to person, by infected food or water or polluted surfaces. Outbreaks usually happen from November to April, peaking in January.

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.

FGF2 Human has an important role in cell growth and tissue regeneration. Recent findings show that FGF2 and IGF-1 improve muscle stem cell growth, muscle regeneration, and functional recovery in an animal model of severe muscle loss. FGF2 accelerates wound closure, collagen deposition, and blood vessel formation in diabetic mice. FGF2 forms condensates inside the nucleus thus plays an important role in critical functions in cellular signaling and gene transcription.

Since April 2012, cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been identified in various countries. Coronaviruses are the cause of the common cold, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and other severe illnesses with high mortality rates, all are classified into coronavirus family. MERS-CoV is a new type of SARS found in the coronavirus family causing severe pneumonia with sudden and serious respiratory illness with high mortality rates as well. Since January 27th 2015, the WHO has reported 956 human cases, including 351 deaths. More cases of the new coronavirus strain are expected. Like in other coronaviruses, large surface spike glycoprotein is a central structural protein of this virus; it is located above the virion surface to bind and enter into the target cell. Spike protein has 2 domains- S1 and S2. The S1 domain is responsible for cellular tropism and interaction with target cell, while the S2 domain is responsible for membrane fusion. The C-terminal of S1 domain contains a receptor binding domain, and is also a potential target for vaccine development and an antigen for diagnosis.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

Cystatins are a superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in both plants and animals. They comprise a group of proteinase inhibitors, widely distributed in tissues and body fluids, and form tight complexes with cysteine proteases such as cathepsin B, H, L and S. Cystatin C, a secreted molecule of this family, is of interest from biochemical, medicine and evolutionary points of view. Cystatin C, with molecular weight of 13260 Da, is composed of 120 amino acids, lacks carbohydrate and has two disulfide bridges located near the carboxyl terminus. Cystatin C is increased in patients with malignant diseases, and is related to the insufficiency of renal function and appears to be a better marker than creatinine. On the other hand, low levels of cystatin C involve cause the breakdown of the elastic laminae and, subsequently, the atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Adiponectin is an important negative regulator in hematopoiesis and immune systems. It may be involved in ending inflammatory responses through its inhibitory functions. Inhibits endothelial nf-kappa-b signaling through a camp-dependent pathway. Inhibits tnf-alpha- induced expression of endothelial adhesion molecules. Involved in the control of fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor (CNTFR) is a member of the type I cytokine receptor family and binds to CNTF. The alpha subunit provides the receptor specificity. Sole nucleotide polymorphisms in CNTFR has been associated with variations in muscle strength, in addition to early onset of eating disorders.

Osteostat is the cytokine that binds to TNFRSF18/AITR/GITR and is important for interactions between activated T-lymphocytes and endothelial cells and may modulate T-lymphocyte survival in peripheral tissues. Osteostat is expressed at high levels in the small intestine, ovary, testis, kidney and endothelial cells after stimulation by lipopolysaccharides.
Osteostat protein is detectable in human microvascular EC and is highly up-regulated by IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. Osteostat inhibit differentiation of osteoclasts from monocytic precursor cells. Osteostat suppresses the early stage of osteoclastogenesis via inhibition of macrophage colony-stimulating factorinduced receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) expression in the osteoclast precursor cells. Osteostat does not inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced RANK expression in monocytes and dendritic cells, or activation-induced RANK expression in T cells. Osteostat is a novel regulator of osteoclast generation and substantiate the major role played by the endothelium in bone physiology.

Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4) belongs to the SFRP family which contains a cysteine-rich domain homologous to the putative Wnt-binding site of Frizzled proteins. SFRPs serve as soluble modulators of Wnt signaling. SFRP4 may serve as a regulator of adult uterine morphology and function. SFRP4 increases apoptosis during ovulation possibly via modulation of FZ1/FZ4/WNT4 signaling. SFRP4 also has phosphaturic effects by specifically inhibiting sodium-dependent phosphate uptake. SFRP4 is expressed in proliferative endometrium and several types of ovarian, endometrial and Brest tumors. SFRP4 is expressed in mesenchymal cells and in cardiomyocytes. SFRP4 expression in ventricular myocardium correlates with apoptosis related gene expression. SFRP4 is up-regulated in failing myocardium.

APOM is belongs to the lipocalin protein family and is associated with high density lipoproteins and to a lesser extent with low density lipoproteins and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. APOM is secreted through the plasma membrane but remains membrane-bound, where it takes part in lipid transport.

SLAMF1 is a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily and is involved in T-cell stimulation. The SLAMF1 protein is constitutively expressed on peripheral blood memory T cells, T-cell clones, immature thymocytes, and a fraction of B cells, and is swiftly induced on naive T cells after activation. There are probably 2 modes of SLAM signaling: one in which the inhibitor SH2D1A serves as a negative regulator and another in which protein-tyrosine phosphatase 2C (PTPN11)-dependent signal transduction functions.

SNRPD3 is a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNPs) that contains the spliceosome in eukaryotes. SNRPD3 is essential for pre-mRNA splicing and small nuclear ribonucleoprotein biogenesis. Alternative splicing happens in this locus and two transcript variants encoding the same protein were branded.

NRAS binds GDP/GTP and has intrinsic GTPase activity. NRAS is a membrane protein that shuttles between the Golgi apparatus and the plasma membrane. This transport is regulated through palmitoylation and depalmitoylation by the ZDHHC9-GOLGA7 complex. NRAS is activated to a GTP-bound form by a GTPase activating protein and inactivated to a GDP-bound form by a guanine nucleotide-exchange factor. Defects in this NRAS gene result in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia.

Oncostatin M is a member of a cytokine family that includes leukemia-inhibitory factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin 6. This gene encodes a growth regulator which inhibits the proliferation of a number of tumor cell lines. It regulates cytokine production, including IL-6, G-CSF and GM-CSF from endothelial cells.

OXSM, a beta-ketoacyl synthetase, is essential for elongation of fatty acid chains in the mitochondria. Alternatively spliced transcript variants were found.

DPP4 also called adenosine deaminase complexing protein-2, and T-cell activation antigen CD26 is a serine exopeptidase and complex enzyme that is expressed on the surface of most cell types. DPPIV is an intrinsic membrane glycoprotein and a serine exopeptidase that cleaves X-proline dipeptides from the N-terminus of polypeptides. DPP4 plays a role in t-cell activation. DPP4 is associated with intracellular signal transduction, apoptosis and involved in tumor biology. There are at least 63 substrates which can bind specifically to DPP4 enzyme including growth factors, chemokines, neuro peptides. Furthermore, DPP4 plays a major role in glucose metabolism by cleaving incretins such as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1.

Transcription Factor 4 (TCF4) acts as a transcription factor and takes part in the initiation of neuronal differentiation. TCF4 recognizes an Ephrussi-box ('E-box') binding site ('CANNTG') - a motif primary identified in immunoglobulin enhancers. TCF4 is mainly expressed in pre-B-cells, even though it is present in other tissues as well.

FGF8 is part of the fibroblast growth factor family. FGF family members have wide mitogenic and cell survival activities, and participate in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. FGF8 supports androgen and anchorage independent growth of mammary tumor cells. FGF8 over expression increases tumor growth and angiogensis. The adult expression of FGF-8 gene is restricted to testes and ovaries. FGF8 functions as an embryonic epithelial factor. FGF8 takes part in midbrain and limb development, organogenesis, embryo gastrulation and left-right axis determination.

Complement Factor B, also known as CFB, encodes complement factor B which is a component of the alternative pathway of complement activation. Factor B circulates in the blood as a single chain polypeptide. Once the alternative pathway is activated it is cleaved by complement factor D yielding the noncatalytic chain Ba and the catalytic subunit Bb. The active subunit Bb is a serine protease which connects with C3b to form the alternative pathway C3 convertase. Also, Bb is involved in the proliferation of preactivated B lymphocytes, while Ba inhibits their proliferation.