Search results

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.

ORF73 protein of human herpesvirus 8 is a Kaposi''s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latent protein that is suspected of playing a critical role in modulating viral and cellular gene expression. ORF73 is linked to cellular chromatin and stays on the chromosomes during cell division. ORF73 maintains the viral genomes during cell division by tethering the viral episomes to the chromosomes. ORF73 binds directly to replication origin recognition complexes which are primarily connected with the terminal repeat region of the HHV8 genome.

CD86, also known as B7-2 or Cluster of Differentiation 86 is a protein necessary for T cell activation and survival, it is expressed on cells that are antigen-presenting cells and acts as costimulatory signals for T cells. CD86 is the ligand for CD28 (for autoregulation and intercellular association) and CTLA-4 (for attenuation of regulation and cellular disassociation), two different proteins.

HTATIP2 is part of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family which acts as a tumor suppressor in metabolic suppression, inhibition of angiogenesis and induces the expression of apoptosis related genes Bad and Siva. HTATIP2 cooperates with the activation domain of HIV-1 TAT and enhances its transcription by phosphorylating RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Defects in HTATIP2 are related with hepatocellular carcinomas and apoptotic resistant tumor cells, implicating a probable use for HTATIP2 in antitumor therapy.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL4, also known as KIR2DL4 is part of the killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) family. KIR proteins with the long cytoplasmic domain transduce inhibitory signals through an immune tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM), whereas KIR proteins which contain the short cytoplasmic domain, lack the ITIM motif and as a substitute associate with the TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein to transduce activating signals. KIR2DL4 stimulates NK cells to produce IFN-gamma and stimulation with IL-2 upregulates cell surface expression on CD56dimcells and leads to the inhibition of the cytolytic NK cell function.

A human infecting coronavirus (viral pneumonia) called 2019 novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV was found in the fish market at the city of Wuhan, Hubei province of China on December 2019.

The 2019-nCoV shares an 87% identity to the 2 bat-derived severe acute respiratory syndrome 2018 SARS-CoV-2 located in Zhoushan of eastern China. 2019-nCoV has an analogous receptor-BD-structure to that of 2018 SARS-CoV, even though there is a.a. diversity so thus the 2019-nCoV might bind to ACE2 receptor protein (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) in humans.

While bats are possibly the host of 2019-nCoV, researchers suspect that animal from the ocean sold at the seafood market was an intermediate host. RSCU analysis proposes that the 2019-nCoV is a recombinant within the viral spike glycoprotein between the bat coronavirus and an unknown coronavirus.

H3N2 is a subtype of the influenza A virus. Its name derives from the forms of the two kinds of proteinson the surface of its coat, hemagglutinin(H) and neuraminidase(N). H3N2 exchanges genes for internal proteins with other influenza subtypes. H3N2 has tended to dominate in prevalence over H1N1, H1N2, and influenza B. H3N2 strain descended from H2N2 by antigenic shift, in which genes from multiple subtypes re-assorted to form a new virus. Both the H2N2and H3N2 strains contained genesfrom avian influenzaviruses.

SARS Coronavirus is an enveloped virus containing three outer structural proteins, namely the membrane (M), envelope (E), and spike (S) proteins. Spike (S)-glycoprotein of the virus interacts with a cellular receptor and mediates membrane fusion to allow viral entry into susceptible target cells. Accordingly, S-protein plays an important role in virus infection cycle and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies.

Btc is a potent mitogen for retinal pigment epithelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. The effects of betacellulin are probably mediated by the egf receptor and other related receptors.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor also called LIF is a lymphoid factor that promotes long-term maintenance of embryonic stem cells by suppressing spontaneous differentiation. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor has several functions such as cholinergic neuron differentiation, control of stem cell pluripotency, bone & fat metabolism, mitogenesis of factor dependent cell lines & promotion of megakaryocyte production in vivo. Human and mouse LIF exhibit a 78% identity in its amino acid sequence.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirusthat can lead to a condition in which the immune systembegins to fail, leading to opportunistic infections. HIV primarily infects vital cells in the humanimmune systemsuch as helper T cells(specifically CD4+ T cells), macrophagesand dendritic cells. HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4+ T cells through three main mechanisms: firstly, direct viral killing of infected cells; secondly, increased rates of apoptosisin infected cells; and thirdly, killing of infected CD4+ T cells by CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytesthat recognize infected cells. When CD4+ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunityis lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections. HIV was classified as a member of the genus Lentivirus, part of the family of Retroviridae. Lentiviruses have many common morphologies and biological properties. Many species are infected by lentiviruses, which are characteristically responsible for long-duration illnesses with a long incubation period. Lentiviruses are transmitted as single-stranded, positive-sense, enveloped RNA viruses. Upon entry of the target cell, the viral RNA genomeis converted to double-stranded DNAby a virally encoded reverse transcriptasethat is present in the virus particle. This viral DNA is then integrated into the cellular DNA by a virally encoded integraseso that the genome can be transcribed. Once the virus has infected the cell, two pathways are possible: either the virus becomes latentand the infected cell continues to function, or the virus becomes active and replicates, and a large number of virus particles are liberated that can then infect other cells.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirusthat can lead to a condition in which the immune systembegins to fail, leading to opportunistic infections. HIV primarily infects vital cells in the humanimmune systemsuch as helper T cells(specifically CD4+ T cells), macrophagesand dendritic cells. HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4+ T cells through three main mechanisms: firstly, direct viral killing of infected cells; secondly, increased rates of apoptosisin infected cells; and thirdly, killing of infected CD4+ T cells by CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytesthat recognize infected cells. When CD4+ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunityis lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections. HIV was classified as a member of the genus Lentivirus, part of the family of Retroviridae. Lentiviruses have many common morphologies and biological properties. Many species are infected by lentiviruses, which are characteristically responsible for long-duration illnesses with a long incubation period. Lentiviruses are transmitted as single-stranded, positive-sense, enveloped RNA viruses. Upon entry of the target cell, the viral RNA genomeis converted to double-stranded DNAby a virally encoded reverse transcriptasethat is present in the virus particle. This viral DNA is then integrated into the cellular DNA by a virally encoded integraseso that the genome can be transcribed. Once the virus has infected the cell, two pathways are possible: either the virus becomes latentand the infected cell continues to function, or the virus becomes active and replicates, and a large number of virus particles are liberated that can then infect other cells.

Leukemia inhibitory factor, is a pleiotropic cytokine which is expressed by numerous cells including activated T lymphocytes, monocytes, mast cells and neuronal cells. LIF takes part in the induction of hematopoietic differentiation in normal and myeloid leukemia cells, induction of neuronal cell differentiation, regulator of mesenchymal to epithelial conversion during kidney development, and is a key player in immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface.

The type II transmembrane protein FASLG is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. A fas ligand/receptor interaction has a significant part in the regulation of the immune system and the advancement of cancer. FASLG is expressed on the activated T cell surface as a nondisulfidelinked homotrimer. FASLG binding to Fas/CD95/TNFRSF6 on a nearby cell prompts apoptosis in the Fas expressing cell. FASLG is released from the cell surface by metalloproteinases as a soluble molecule that stays trimeric and is able to bind with Fas, but its capability to activate apoptosis is radically reduced. In addition, FASLG binds to DcR3 - a soluble trap receptor with no signal transduction capabilities. Flawed Fas-mediated apoptosis causes oncogenesis in addition to drug resistance in existing tumors. Constitutive expression of FASLG in a variety of tumors enables their immune evasion. Both mouse and human FASLG are active on mouse and human cells.

RELM-beta (Resistin-Like Molecule-beta) is a member of a recently identified family of secreted proteins containing a conserved cystein-rich C-terminus. The RELM family consists of resistin (also called FIZZ3), RELM-alfa (FIZZ1), RELM-beta (FIZZ2) and RELM-gamma. Only resisistin and RELM-beta were found in humans whereas all four RELM family members were identified in rodents.
RELM-beta appears to be produced as a homodimer exclusively by intestinal goblet cells and can be found in high quantities in stool. Remarkably, stool of germ-free mice displaying sterile intestinal tract does not contain RELM-beta until bacterial colonization takes place after pathogen-free mice entered natural environment. Some, but not all, colon carcinoma cell lines secrete RELM-beta into the cell culture supernatant.
The physiological function of RELM-beta is not known. High doses of recombinant RELM-beta showed hyperglycemic effects including lowered glucose disposal and increased hepatic glucose production in mice.

Rubella virus is an enveloped positive-strand RNA virus of the family TOGAVIRIDAE: Virions are composed of three structural proteins: a capsid and two membrane-spanning glycoproteins, E2 and E1. During virus assembly, the capsid interacts with genomic RNA to form nucleocapsids. The rubella virus (RV) structural proteins: capsid, E2, and E1 are synthesized as a polyprotein precursor. The signal peptide that initiates translocation of E2 into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum remains attached to the carboxy terminus of the capsid protein after cleavage by signal peptidase.

Human Factor IX also called Christmas-Factor is a glycoprotein, which is synthesized in the liver and belongs to the serine proteases system and is part of the S1 peptidase family.
Lack of Factor-IX causes Hemophilia-B meaning Christmas Disease. Factor-IX has a N-terminus region which contains 12xGla residues which asist the calcium dpendant binding of Factor-IX to the phospholipid surface. Factor-IX is activated by either factor XIa or the factor VIIa/tissue factor/phospholipid complex. Cleavage yields the intermediate IXa, which is subsequently converted to the fully active form IXab.
Factor-IX binds initially to exosites on the factor XIa heavy chain, followed by interaction at the active site with subsequent bond cleavage. Coagulation factor IX is activated by interaction with the erythrocyte membrane, causing intrinsic coagulation. Chaperones & lectins act simultaniously to guarantee the proper folding of Factor-IX and the retention of mutant molecules. Human Factor IX, activated by either the Contact or Tissue Factor Pathway, is responsible for the activation of Factor X to Xa.

Fc Fragment Of IgA Receptor, also known as FCAR, is part of the multichain immune recognition receptor family which is the most abundant immunoglobulin in mucosal areas however it is only the second most common antibody isotype in serum. FCAR participates in both pro-and anti-inflammatory responses depending on the state of IgA bound. FCAR is also a vital Fc receptor for neutrophil killing of tumor cells. Once FCAR expressing neutrophils interact with IgA-opsonized tumor cells, the neutrophils not only show antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, but also release the cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β which cause increased neutrophil migration to the site.

SARS Coronavirus is an enveloped virus containing three outer structural proteins, namely the membrane (M), envelope (E), and spike (S) proteins. Spike (S)-glycoprotein of the virus interacts with a cellular receptor and mediates membrane fusion to allow viral entry into susceptible target cells. Accordingly, S-protein plays an important role in virus infection cycle and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies.It has recently been shown that SARS is caused by a human coronavirus. Human coronaviruses are the major cause of upper respiratory tract illness in humans, such as the common cold. Coronaviruses are positive-stranded RNA viruses, featuring the largest viral RNA genomes known to date (27-31 kb). The first step in coronavirus infection is binding of the viral spike protein, a 139-kDa protein, to certain receptors on host cells. The spike protein is the main surface antigen of the coronavirus. The most prominent protein in the culture supernatants infected with SARS virus is a 46 kDa nucleocapsid protein. This suggests that the nucleocapsid protein is a major immunogen that may be useful for early diagnostics.

Borrelia belongs to a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. Borrelia causes borreliosis, which is a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted mainly by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species. Of the 36 known species of Borrelia, 12 are distinguished to cause Lyme disease or borreliosis and are transmitted by ticks. The main Borrelia species causing Lyme disease are Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. The Borrelia genus members have a linear chromosome which is about 900 kbp in length as well as an excess of both linear and circular plasmids in the 5-220 kbp size range. The plasmids are atypical, as compared to most bacterial plasmids, since they contain many paralogous sequences, a large number of pseudogenes and, in some cases, essential genes. Moreover, a number of the plasmids have features suggesting that they are prophages.

Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 (HAVCR2) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. HACVR2 controls macrophage activation. HACVR2 inhibits T-helper type 1 lymphocyte (Th1)-mediated auto- and alloimmune responses and stimulates immunological tolerance.

Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 2 (LAIR2) is a secreted, 131 amino acids protein which contains one IglikeC2 type domain, rendering it a member of the Ig superfamily. Even though one is secreted and one is membrane bound, the 2 LAIR proteins are assumed to have evolved from a common gene ancestor and seem to share similar adhesion profiles, suggesting that LAIR2 may compete with LAIR1 for ligand binding. LAIR2 was discovered by its similarity to LAIR1, which is an inhibitory receptor present on mononuclear leukocytes. The LAIR2 gene maps to a region of 19q13.4, dubbed the leukocyte receptor cluster, which contains 29 genes in the immunoglobulin superfamily, including LAIR1. The function of the LAIR2 protein is unknown, though it is assumed to be secreted and may help modulate mucosal tolerance.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor also called LIF is a lymphoid factor that promotes long-term maintenance of embryonic stem cells by suppressing spontaneous differentiation. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor has several functions such as cholinergic neuron differentiation, control of stem cell pluripotency, bone & fat metabolism, mitogenesis of factor dependent cell lines & promotion of megakaryocyte production in vivo. Human and mouse LIF exhibit a 78% identity in its amino acid sequence.