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MAX protein is part of the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLHZ) family of transcription factors. MAX forms homodimers and heterodimers with Mad, Mxi1 and Myc. Myc is an oncoprotein implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The homodimers and heterodimers compete for a common DNA target site (the E box) and rearrangement among these dimer forms offers a complex system of transcriptional regulation. In contrast to Myc, which is exceedingly regulated throughout progression during the cell cycle, Max is very stable and is much more abundant than Myc.

Yip1 Interacting Factor Homolog B (YIF1b) is a member of the YIF1 family.

Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E-Binding Protein 3 (EIF4EBP3) belongs to the EIF4EBP family whose proteins bind to eukaryotic initiation factor 4E and regulate its assembly into EIF4F, the multi-subunit translation initiation factor that identifies the mRNA cap structure.

Vascular endothelial growth factoris an important signaling proteininvolved in both vasculogenesisand angiogenesis. As its name implies, 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/macrophagemigration, 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 mitogenesisand cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.
Elevated levels of this protein is linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

S100A8 is a part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a broad range of cells, and participate in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100A8 plays a role in the inhibition of casein kinase and as a cytokine. S100A8 altered expression is related with cystic fibrosis disease. S100A8 is a calcium-binding protein that has antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.S100A8 is crucial for resistance towards invasion by pathogenic bacteria. S100A8 up-regulates transcription of genes that are under the control of NF-kappa-B. S100A8 plays a role in the development of endotoxic shock in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. S100A8 endorses tubulin polymerization and promotes phagocyte migration and infiltration of granulocytes at sites of wounding. S100A8 takes part as a pro-inflammatory mediator in acute and chronic inflammation and up-regulates the release of IL8 and cell-surface expression of ICAM1.

Acidic fibroblast growth factor is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. This protein functions as a modifier of endothelial cell migration and proliferation, as well as an angiogenic factor. It acts as a mitogen for a variety of mesoderm- and neuroectoderm-derived cells in vitro, thus is thought to be involved in organogenesis. Three alternatively spliced variants encoding different isoforms have been described. The binding growth factors are angiogenic agents in vivo and are potent mitogens for a variety of cell types in vitro. There are differences in the tissue distribution and concentration of these 2 growth factors.

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.

Prolactin inducible protein (PIP) is a 17kDa glycoprotein existing in human seminal plasma. PIP is synthesized as a 146 amino acid long polypeptide exhibiting high sequence similarity with mouse submaxillary gland with a single glycosylation site. The precise biological functions of PIP are still ambiguous but various functions have been assigned to PIP due its existence at high concentration in biological fluids. PIP binds to various proteins such as fibrinogen, actin, keratin, myosin and tropomyosin. PIP is also expressed in pathological conditions of the mammary gland and in some exocrine tissues, such as the lacrimal, salivary and sweat glands. Due to PIP’s association with secretory cell differentiation, it has been used in diagnostic evaluation of tumors of breast, salivary gland, and skin.

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a ligand molecule which induces apoptosis. It is a type II transmembrane protein with homology to other members of the tumor necrosis factor family.In humans, the gene that encodes for TRAIL is located at chromosome 3q26. TRAIL binds to the death receptors, DR4 and DR5. The process of apoptosis is caspase-8-dependent. This protein preferentially induces apoptosis in transformed and tumor cells, but does not appear to kill normal cells although it is expressed at a significant level in most normal tissues.

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.

Elongin B (Elob) is a subunit of the transcription factor B (SIII) complex. SIII complex is a general transcription elongation factor that increases the RNA polymerase II transcription elongation past template-encoded arresting sites. The SIII complex comprised of a transcriptionally active subunit (A) and 2 regulatory subunits (B and C). Subunit A is transcriptionally active and its transcription activity is enhanced by binding to the dimeric complex of the SIII regulatory subunits B and C. The von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein binds to elongin B and C and inhibits transcription elongation.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF R) subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases comprises four members: EGF R (also known as HER1, ErbB1 or ErbB), ErbB2 (Neu, HER-2), ErbB3 (HER-3), and ErbB4 (HER-4). All family members are type I transmembrane glycoprotein that has an extracellular domain which contains two cysteine-rich domains separated by a spacer region that is involved in ligand-binding, and a cytoplasmic domain which has a membrane-proximal tyrosine kinase domain and a C-terminal tail with multiple tyrosine autophosphorylation sites. The human EGF R gene encodes a 1210 amino acid (aa) residue precursor with a 24 aa putative signal peptide, a 621 aa extracellular domain, a 23 aa transmembrane domain, and a 542 aa cytoplasmic domain. EGF R has been shown to bind a subset of the EGF family ligands, including EGF, amphiregulin, TGF-a , betacellulin, epiregulin, heparin-binding EGF and neuregulin-2 in the absence of a co-receptor. Ligand binding induces EGF R homodimerization as well as heterdimerization with ErbB2, resulting in kinase activation, tyrosine phosphorylation and cell signaling. EGF R can also be recruited to form heterodimers with the ligand-activated ErbB3 or ErbB4. EGF R signaling has been shown to regulate multiple biological functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, motility and apoptosis. In addition, EGF R signaling has also been shown to play a role in carcinogenesis.

FLT3 ligand is a receptor for the fl cytokine has a tyrosine-protein kinase activity & a growth factor that regulates proliferation of early hematopoietic cells. Flt3-Ligand synergizes with other CSFs and interleukins to induce growth and differentiation.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least eighteen structurally related proteins that are involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family of type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. Four distinct genes encoding closely related FGF receptors, FGF R1 - 4, are known. All four genes for FGF Rs encode proteins with an N-terminal signal peptide, three immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, an acid-box region containing a run of acidic residues between the IgI and IgII domains, a transmembrane domain and the split tyrosine-kinase domain. Multiple forms of FGF R1 - 3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGF R1 and 2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the a isoform, or only IgII and IgIII, referred to as the b isoform. Only the a isoform has been identified for FGF R3 and FGF R4. Additional splicing events for FGF R1 - 3, involving the C-terminal half of the IgIII domain encoded by two mutually exclusive alternative exons, generate FGF receptors with alternative IgIII domains (IIIb and IIIc). A IIIa isoform which is a secreted FGF binding protein containing only the N-terminal half of the IgIII domain plus some intron sequences has also been reported for FGF R1. Mutations in FGF R1 - 3 have been found in patients with birth defects involving craniosynostosis. The complex patterns of expression of these receptors as well as the specificity of their interactions with the various FGF ligand family members are under investigation.

Osteoprotegerin acts as decoy receptor for rankl and thereby neutralizes its function in osteoclastogenesis. OPG inhibits the activation of osteoclasts and promotes osteoclast apoptosis in vitro. Bone homeostasis seems to depend on the local rankl/opg ratio. Osteoprotegerin may also play a role in preventing arterial calcification. May act as decoy receptor for trail and protect against apoptosis. Trail binding blocks the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.

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.

TNFR1 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR1 is a receptor for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha.
There are 2 types of soluble TNF receptors: sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II, which act to neutralize the biological activities of TNF alpha and TNF beta. The levels of these soluble receptors seem to increase as a result of shedding of the extracellular domains of the membrane bound receptors. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.
TNFR1 is capable of signaling both cell survival and apoptosis. TNFR1-induced apoptosis requires 2 sequential signaling complexes. TNFR1 is capable of activating NF-kappaB, mediate apoptosis, and function as a regulator of inflammation. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNFR1 contributes to the induction of non-cytocidal TNF effects including anti-viral state and activation of the acid sphingomyelinase. Human TNFR1 has a major region which controls cell surface expression. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women.
Germline mutations of the extracellular domains of TNFR1 are linked to the autosomal dominant periodic fever syndrome. The impaired receptor clearance is believed to be a mechanism of the disease. Familial hibernian fever (FHF) is caused by defects in TNFRSF1A gene.

Nuclear Apoptosis Inducing Factor 1 (NAIF1) is a part of the NAIF1 family. NAIF1 Interacts with HARBI1 and Induces apoptosis.

Prothrombin produced in the liver is a vitamin K-dependent plasma protein. Before prothrombin is secreted into the plasma it goes through post translational modification by vitamin K-dependent carboxylase. The vitamin K-dependent carboxylase convertsprothrombin to 10 glutamic acid residues to gamma carboxyglutamic acid. Prothrombin comprises of 2 kringle regions which are found among residues a.a. 40 & 270 of the mature plasma protein and substitute the growth factor domains located in numerous plasma serine proteases.

The transcription of heat-shock genes is rapidly induced after temperature stress in response to environmental changes, and it is also involved in oogenesis, spermatogenesis, and placental development. Hsp90, is a major repressor of HSF1 gene. HSF1 is known for its participation in heat shock response. HSF1 protein regulates the transcription of hundreds of targets, such as genes involved in protein folding, detoxification, energy generation, carbohydrate metabolism, and cell wall organization.
HSF1 binds to MTA1 in vitro & in breast carcinoma. Suppression of estrogen-dependent transcription may contribute to role of HSF1 in cancer.
Human cancer lines of diverse origins express higher dependence on HSF1 function to maintain proliferation and survival than their non-transformed counterparts.
HSF1 induces anticoagulation and relaxation factors in vascular endothelial cells and could therefore be used to treat cardiovascular disease. HSF1 is directly involved in the regulation of HO1 having an anti-oxidative role.
NF-kappaB and HSF1 are systemically activated in human acute pancreatitis.
HSF1 activation protects against severity of pancreatitis.
HSF is a vital transcription factor which plays a role in up-regulation of VDUP1 expression through stresses such as elevated density and serum deprivation cultures.

EFNA1 belongs to the ephrin (EPH) family. The EPH subfamily is the biggest group of receptor protein kinases and they take part in vital nervous system function and development.

TRAIL Receptor-3, also known as TNFRSF10C belongs to theTNF-receptor super family. TNFRSF10C contains an extracellular TRAIL-binding domain as well as a transmembranedomain, however no cytoplasmic death domain. Furthermore, TNFRSF10C is not capable of inducing apoptosis, and is considered toact as an antagonistic receptor which protects cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

B cell-activating factor (BAFF) enhances B-cell survival in vitro and is a regulator of the peripheral B-cell population. Overexpression of Baff in mice results in mature B-cell hyperplasia and symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Also, some SLE patients have increased levels of BAFF in serum. Therefore, it has been proposed that abnormally high levels of BAFF may contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases by enhancing the survival of autoreactive B cells. The protein encoded by this gene is a receptor for BAFF and is a type III transmembrane protein containing a single extracellular cysteine-rich domain. It is thought that this receptor is the principal receptor required for BAFF-mediated mature B-cell survival.