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ZW10 Interacting Kinetochore Protein (ZWINT) is involved in kinetochore function. ZWINT is part of the MIS12 complex, which is essential for kinetochore formation and spindle checkpoint activity. ZWINT is localized to the cytoplasm during interphase and to kinetochores from late prophase to anaphase. ZWINT interacts with ZW10 (Zeste White 10) and regulates the association between ZW10 and kinetochores. ZWINT gene defects are linked with the pathogenesis of Roberts’s syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by growth retardation due to premature chromosome separation.

Streptolysin-O is a sulfhydryl-activated toxin which causes cytolysis by forming pores in cholesterol containing host membranes. After binding to target membranes, the Streptolysin-O protein undergoes a major conformation change, leading to its insertion in the host membrane and creation of an oligomeric pore complex. Cholesterol may be needed for binding to host membranes, membrane insertion and pore formation. Streptolysin-O can be reversibly inactivated by oxidation.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) is an enzyme that is a member of the MMP extracellular protease family. Extracellular protease enzymes, by virtue of their broad substrate specificities1, play a role in both normal and disease states of tissue proliferation. Among the targets of MMP-13 are collagen, gelatin, entactin, pro-TNF-a, and chemokine SDF-11-4.
MMP-13 is found in its latent form as a 52-56 kDa glycosylated proenzyme. Upon cleavage the 22-46 kDa5 MMP-1 becomes active in extracellular matrix remodeling.
Because of the prominent role that MMP-1 plays in cell migration and metastasis, it is an important target for inhibition screening.

Thioredoxins are small disulphide-containing redox proteins (within the conserved Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys active site) that have been found in all the kingdoms of living organisms. Thioredoxin contains a single disulfide active site and serves as a general protein disulphide oxidoreductase. Thioredoxins are involved in the first unique step in DNA synthesis. It interacts with a broad range of proteins by a redox mechanism based on reversible oxidation of two cysteine thiol groups to a disulphide, accompanied by the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The net result is the covalent interconversion of a disulphide and a dithiol. Trx also provides control over a number of transcription factors affecting cell proliferation and death through a mechanism referred to as redox regulation. It has been suggested that thioredoxin may catalyze the formation of correct disulfides during protein folding because of its ability to act as an efficient oxidoreductant. This could be especially useful in refolding proteins expressed in E. coli. To this end, thioredoxin has been shown to act as a protein disulfide isomerase.Its Molecular Weight is 11.9kDa. and the pI is 4.67.

Caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, each serotype is sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. In cell culture experiments and mice Morpholino antisense oligos have shown specific activity against Dengue virus.

Defensins form a family of microbicidal and cytotoxic peptides made by neutrophils. Members of the defensin family are highly similar in protein sequence. This gene encodes defensin, beta 103A, which has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and may play an important role in innate epithelial defense.

Cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) is a 201 amino acid member of the interleukin-6 superfamily. It was identified by its ability to induce hypertrophic response in cardiac myocytes. CT-1 mRNA levels were found both in cardiac myocytes and in cardiac nonmyocytes. CT 1 was also detected in abundance in normal adult human lung and was expressed in both fetal and adult airway smooth muscle cells. CT 1 activates gp130 dependent signaling and stimulates the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway to transduce hypertrophic and cytoprotective signals in cardiac myocytes.
CT 1 has also a neurotrophic function. CTF1 deficiency causes increased motoneuron cell death in spinal cord and brainstem nuclei of mice during a period between embryonic day 14 and the first postnatal week. Moreover, CT-1 is a hepatocyte survival factor that efficiently reduces hepatocellular damage in animal models of acute liver injury. Cardiotrophin 1 expression is augmented after hypoxic stimulation and it can protect cardiac cells when added either prior to simulated ischaemia or at the time of reoxygenation following simulated ischaemia. Cardiotrophin 1 can induce expression of the protective heat shock proteins (hsps) in cardiac cells.
Cardiotrophin-1 increased ventricular expression of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and angiotensinogen mRNA.
Cardiophin 1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with heart failure, patients with dilatative cardiomyopathy, moderate/severe mitral regurgitation, stable and unstable angina and after acute myocardial infarction.

IL10 is a cytokine produced primarily by monocytes and to a lesser extent by lymphocytes. This cytokine has pleiotropic effects in immunoregulation and inflammation. It down-regulates the expression of Th1 cytokines, MHC class II Ags, and costimulatory molecules on macrophages. It also enhances B cell survival, proliferation, and antibody production. This cytokine can block NF-kappa B activity, and is involved in the regulation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Knockout studies in mice suggested the function of this cytokine as an essential immunoregulator in the intestinal tract.

GDF10 is a member of the BMP family and the TGF-beta superfamily. GDF10 is expressed in femur, brain, lung, skeletal, muscle, pancreas and testis, and has a role in head formation and possibly multiple roles in skeletal morphogenesis. In humans, GDF10 mRNA is found in the cochlea and lung of fetuses, and in testis, retina, pineal gland, and other neural tissues of adults. The BMP family members are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. These proteins are characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing 7 conserved cysteine residues.

Macrophage Scavenger Receptor 1, also known as MSR1 is a member of the class A macrophage scavenger receptors, which comprises three different types 1, 2 and 3 generated by alternative splicing. Furthermore, these receptors or isoforms are macrophage-specific trimeric integral membrane glycoproteins and have been implicated in many macrophage-associated physiological as well as pathological processes which include atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and host defense.

DBR1 is an RNA lariat debranching enzyme which hydrolyzes 2'-5' prime branched phosphodiester bonds. The encoded protein specifically targets the bonds at the branch point of eliminated lariat intron RNA, transforming them to linear molecules which are then degraded. Additionally, DBR1 takes part in retroviral replication.

Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor, Clade A Member 8 (SERPINA8), which is a pre-angiotensinogen or angiotensinogen precursor, is expressed in the liver and cleaved by the enzyme renin in response to lowered blood pressure. The ensuing product, angiotensin I, is at that point cleaved by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) to produce the physiologically active enzyme angiotensin II. SERPINA8 protein is involved in maintaining blood pressure and in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension and preeclampsia. SERPINA8 gene mutations are linked with susceptibility to essential hypertension, and may cause renal tubular dysgenesis, which is a severe disorder of renal tubular development. Defects in the SERPINA8 gene are also linked with non-familial structural atrial fibrillation, and inflammatory bowel disease.

SERPINB2 is an inhibitory serpin produced primarily in keratinocytes, stimulated monocytes, and placental trophoblasts. SERPINB2 is found primarily as a 47 kDa non-glycosylated intracellular protein that is induced to be secreted as 60 kDa glycoprotein. The glycosylated and unglycosylated SERPINB2 are similarly effective as inhibitors of uPA, the only proven physiological target of SERPINB2.

GDF8 is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. This gene is thought to encode a secreted protein which negatively regulates skeletal muscle growth.

The term ‘PDGF’ refers to a family of disulphide bond-linked dimeric isoforms that act as autocrine and paracrine growth factors and are produced by a variety of cell types other than platelets.
They act as potent mitogens for almost all mesenchymally-derived cells. Aberrant expression is involved in certain cancers, fibroproliferative disorders and atherosclerosis. The protein also contributes to wound healing and neural regeneration. There are four members of the PDGF family – PDGF A, PDGF B, PDGF C and PDGF D. Two distinct types of PDGF-A exist – a short form that is soluble and a long form that is retained by the extracellular matrix.

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.

CETN1 is an EF-hand type Ca2+-binding protein. CETN1 is localized to the centrosome of interphase cells, and reorganizes the region of the spindle poles during mitosis, reflecting the dynamic behavior of the centrosome during the cell cycle. CETN1 has a vital part in the determination of centrosome position and isolation, and in the course of microtubule separating.

Human thyrostimulin ranks among the glycoprotein hormone family. These hormones consist of two subunits, the common alpha- and specific beta-subunits, which associate noncovalently to form a heterodimer. The alpha-subunit combines with four distinct beta-subunits giving rise to four biologically active hormones in human: FSH, LH, TSH, and CG. FSH, LH, and TSH, mainly expressed in the anterior pituitary, are essential for coordinated endocrine regulation in the hypothalamus- pituitary axis and show to activate specific G protein–coupled receptors in the thyroid (TSH receptor) and gonads (LH and FSH receptors), respectively.
The heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones have only been identified in vertebrates and are highly conserved in organisms from primitive rayfin fish (Chondrostei) to human in both primary sequences and functional characteristics.
Corticotroph-derived glycoprotein hormone (CGH), also referred to as thyrostimulin, is a noncovalent heterodimer of glycoprotein hormone alpha 2 (GPHA2) and glycoprotein hormone beta 5 (GPHB5).
Recombinant A2/B5 heterodimeric glycoproteins activates human TSH receptors, but not LH and FSH receptors, and shows high affinity to TSH receptors in a radioligand receptor assay. The heterodimer also stimulates cAMP production and thymidine incorporation by cultured thyroid cells and increases serum thyroxine levels in TSH-suppressed rats in vivo. This new heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone was named as thyrostimulin based on its thyroid-stimulating activity. The expression of thyrostimulin in the anterior pituitary known to express TSH receptors suggested a paracrine mechanism.

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.

CRH is a powerful stimulator of synthesis and secretion of preopiomelanocortin-derived peptides. CRH concentration in the human peripheral circulation is usually low. The concentration rises during pregnancy and fall back quickly after parturition. Maternal plasma CRH most likely originates from the placenta. Human plasma has a CRH-binding protein that inactivates CRH and can inhibit inappropriate pituitary-adrenal stimulation in pregnancy.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 14 (CCL14) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family. It is also commonly known as HCC-1. It is produced as a protein precursor that is procesed to generate a mature active protein containing 74 amino acids that and is 46% identical in amino acid composition to CCL3 and CCL4. This chemokine is expressed in various tissues including spleen, bone marrow, liver, muscle, and gut. CCL13 activates monocytes, but does not induce their chemotaxis. Human CCL13 is located on chromosome 17 within a cluster of other chemokines belonging to the CC family.

Casein kinase I gene family members take part in the control of cytoplasmic and nuclear processes, including DNA replication and repair. Casein Kinase 1 Delta (CSNK1D) is a member of the casein kinase I (CKI) gene family. CSNK1D is a vital serine/threonine-protein kinase which regulates diverse cellular growth and survival processes including Wnt signaling and circadian rhythms. CSNK1D phosphorylates a great amount of proteins.

Migration And Invasion Enhancer 1 (MIEN1) is a member of the SelWTH family. MIEN1 enhances cell migration by stimulating filopodia formation at the leading edge of migrating cells and takes parts in regulation of apoptosis, probably via control of CASP3. MIEN1 participates in a redox-related process as well.

Cathepsin-Z (CTSZ) is a lysosomal cysteine proteinase and member of the peptidase C1 family. CTSZ, which has been also known as cathepsin X and cathepsin P, exhibits carboxy-monopeptidase and carboxy-dipeptidase activities. CTSZ is expressed ubiquitously in cancer cell lines and primary tumors and, similar to other members of this family, takes part in tumorigenesis.