Search results

TFPI is a protease inhibitor which controls the tissue factor (TF)-dependent pathway of blood coagulation. The coagulation process starts with the creation of a factor VIIa-TF complex, that proteolytically triggers additional proteases (factors IX and X) and eventually results in a fibrin clot. TFPI inhibits the activated factor X and VIIa-TF proteases in an autoregulatory loop. TFPI is glycosylated and predominantly located in the vascular endothelium and plasma in both free forms and complexed with plasma lipoproteins. A number of alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene have are known, however the full-length nature of several of these variants were not yet established.

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.

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a family of secreted signaling molecules that can induce ectopic bone growth. Many BMPs are part of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. BMPs were originally identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site. Based on its expression early in embryogenesis, the BMP encoded by this gene has a proposed role in early development. In addition, the fact that this BMP is closely related to BMP5 and BMP7 has lead to speculation of possible bone inductive activity.

GDNF promotes the survival and differentiation of minergic neurons in culture, and is able to prevent apoptosis of motor neurons induced by axotomy. The encoded protein is processed to a mature secreted form that exists as a homodimer. The mature form of the protein is a ligand for the product of the RET (rearranged during transfection) protooncogene. In addition to the transcript encoding GDNF, two additional alternative transcripts encoding distinct proteins, referred to as astrocyte-derived trophic factors, have also been described. Mutations in this gene may be associated with Hirschsprung disease.
GDNF enhances survival and morphological differentiation of minergic neurons and increases their high-affinity uptake.

A main factor of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica strains is a plasmid-encoded type 3 secretion system, through which Yersinia outer proteins (Yops) are injected into the host cell. Yop E is a GTPase activation protein which controls pore formation by activating small Rho GTPase, causing inhibition of actin polymerization.

Podoplanin is a small mucin-like type-1 transmembrane protein, typically expressed in various specialized cell types throughout the body. Podoplanin is a type-I integral membrane glycoprotein with diverse distribution in human tissues. PDPN physiological function is related to its mucin-type character. The homologous protein in other species has been described as a differentiation antigen and influenza-virus receptor.
PDPN is expressed in lymphatic progenitor cells and afterwards during mouse development in lymphatic endothelial cells. Podoplanin is a specific marker for lymph vessel endothelial cells. Over-expression of podoplanin significantly elevates endothelial cell adhesion, migration, and tube formation. Inhibition of Podoplanin expression decreases cell adhesion in human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. Podoplanin is used as a specific marker for lymphatic endothelium in histopathology.
Podoplanin expression is increased in nearly all human colon, rectum, and small intestine tumors. AGGRUS may serve as a diagnostic marker that distinguishes seminomas, the majority of which over express the protein, from embryonal carcinoma in testicular germ cell tumors.

CRYGC is a member of the beta/gamma-crystallin family. Mammalian lens crystallins are distributed into alpha, beta, and gamma families; beta and gamma crystallins are also considered as a superfamily. Gamma-crystallins are a homogeneous group of extremely symmetrical, monomeric proteins usually missing connecting peptides and terminal extensions and are differentially regulated after early development. Three pseudogenes (gamma-E,F,G) and four gamma-crystallin genes (gamma-A,B,C,D) are structured in a genomic sector as a gene cluster. Gamma-crystallins are involved in cataract formation as a result of aging or mutations in specific genes. Mutations in CRYGC result in cataract Coppock-like (CCL) and cataract autosomal dominant (ADC).

Cystatin-SN (CST1) belongs to the type 2 salivary cystatin family found in a variety of fluids and secretions, including plasma, tears, and saliva. The cystatin superfamily includes proteins which contain multiple cystatin-like sequences. Some of the members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, whereas others have lost or possibly never developed this inhibitory activity. CST1 is up-regulated in cancerous lesions of gastric cancer tissues compared to noncancerous regions, in addition clinicopathological analysis revealed a significant correlation between high expression of CST1.

Cystatin 5 (CST5) is a novel member of the cystatin superfamily, which encompasses proteins that contain multiple cystatin-like sequences. Some members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, while others have lost or possibly never had this inhibitory activity. The superfamily is comprised of 3 inhibitory families: the type 1 cystatins (stefins), type 2 cystatins and the kininogens. Type 2 cystatin proteins are a class of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in various human fluids and secretions.

ACTA2 is a member of the actin family of proteins, an extremely conserved family of proteins which takes part in cell motility, structure and integrity. Three types of actin isoforms are known: Alpha, beta and gamma. Alpha actins are a main factor of the contractile mechanism, and beta and gamma take part in the regulation of cell motility. ACTA2 is an alpha actin which is located in skeletal muscle. Mutations in ACTA2 cause aortic aneurysm familial thoracic type 6. Various alternatively spliced variants, encoding the same protein were identified.

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.

N-acylneuraminate-9-phosphatase (NANP) belongs to the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) family and is responsible for dephosphorylating N-acylneuraminate 9-phosphate to form N-acylneuraminate (N-acylneuraminate 9-phosphate + H2O = N-acylneuraminate + phosphate). The catalytic activity of NANP is relies on the presence of magnesium and is inhibited by vanadate and calcium, which is typical of the HAD phosphatase family.

ATPaseTransporting Beta 1 (ATP1B1) is a part of the family of Na+/K+ and H+/K+ ATPases beta chain proteins, and the subfamily of Na+/K+ -ATPases. Na+/K+ -ATPase is an essential membrane protein accountable for establishing and maintaining the electrochemical gradients of Na and K ions over the plasma membrane. These gradients are vital for osmoregulation, for sodium-coupled transport of a range of organic and inorganic molecules, and for electrical excitability of muscle and nerve. ATP1B1is combined of 2 subunits, a large catalytic subunit (alpha) and a smaller glycoprotein subunit (beta). The beta subunit regulates the number of sodium pumps transported to the plasma membrane through assembly of alpha/beta heterodimers. ATP1B1 is a beta 1 subunit.

Nephroblastoma Overexpressed (NOV) which is encoded by the NOV gene is a part of the CCN (CTGF/CYR61/NOV) family. NOV takes part in reducing tumorgenicity and proliferation of certain cancer cell lines. NOV interacts with numerous proteins and is involved in both internal and external cell signaling. NOV is expressed in particular tumors, including Wilm’s tumor and most nephroblastomas and is also exerts proangiogenic activities.

Fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) is a member of the large FGF family which has at least 23 members. FGF18 is a heparin binding growth factor with a core 120 amino acid FGF domain which allows for a common tertiary structure. FGFs are expressed in the course of the embryonic development and in restricted adult tissues. FGF-18 is an indispensable regulator of long bone and calvarial development. FGF-18 signals via FGFR 1c, 2c, 3c, and 4.

PFN2 is a ubiquitous actin monomer-binding protein which is part of the profilin family. PFN2 regulates actin polymerization in response to extra cellular signals. PFN2 binds to actin and affects the structure of the cytoskeleton. At high concentrations, profilin prevents the polymerization of actin, while it increases it at low concentrations. PFN2 binds to PIP2, it inhibits the formation of IP3 and DG.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. CXCL10 is secreted by several cell types. These cell types include monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. CXCL10 has been attributed to several roles, such as chemoattraction for monocytes and T cells, promotion of T cell adhesion to endothelial cells, antitumor activity, and inhibition of bone marrow colony formation and angiogenesis. The gene for CXCL10 is located on human chromosome 4 in a cluster among several other CXC chemokines. This chemokine elicits its effects by binding to the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR3. The three-dimensional crystal structure of this chemokine has been determined under 3 different conditions to a resolution of up to 1.92A.

TIMP1 is a member of the TIMP family. TIMP1 is an inducible glycoprotein produced by various cell types. The TIMP1 glycoprotein is a natural inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinases, which a group of peptidases involved in degradation of the extracellular matrix. TIMP1 binds in a reversible mode to MMPs, with regions in the N-terminal domain binding to the MMP substrate-binding site. On top of its inhibitory function against most of the known MMPs, TIMP1 is able to promote cell proliferation in a broad range of cell types, and may also have an anti-apoptotic role. Furthermore, TIMP1 has erthyroid-potentiating activity via translocation to the nucleus and also inhibits apoptosis in B-cells. The TIMP1 gene is situated within intron 6 of the synapsin I gene and is transcribed in the opposite direction. TIMP1 activity is dependent on the existence of disulfide bonds. TIMP1 transcription is extremely inducible in reaction to many cytokines and hormones. Increased TIMP1 levels are connecte

Fibrinogen silencer-binding protein (FSBP), interacts with X11alpha. The X11alpha/FSBP complex send signals to the nucleus in order to repress glycogen synthase kinase-3beta promoter activity. X11alpha is a neuronal adaptor protein that interacts with the amyloid precursor protein (APP) via a centrally located phosphotyrosine binding domain to inhibit the production of Abeta peptide that is deposited in Alzheimer's diseased brains.

Placental Lactogen is a polypeptide hormone that is produced by the Syncytiotrophoblasts of the Placenta, also known as chorionic somatomammotropin. It has both Growth Hormone and Prolactin activities on growth, lactation, and luteal steroid production. In women, placental lactogen secretion begins soon after implantation and increases to 1 g or more a day in late pregnancy. Placental lactogen is also an insulin antagonist.
Placental Lactogen Ovine is also capable of activating human and other heterologous GH receptors but not ruminat GH receptors.

Protein Phosphatase 1F (PPM1F) is a part of the PP2C family of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases whose members are known to be negative regulators of cell stress response pathways. PPM1F interacts with Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (PIX), and as a result blocks the effects of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK), a protein kinase mediating biological effects downstream of Rho GTPases. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II gamma (CAMK2G/CAMK-II) is one of the substrates of PPM1F. PPM1F is found to be an apoptosis Promoter.

Protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 11 (PPP1R11) is located within the major histocompatibility complex class I region on chromosome 6 and is expressed in a variety of both adult and embryonic tissues. PPP1R11 acts as an inhibitor of PP1 (protein phosphatase 1), particularly showing a sensitivity toward the metal-independent and metal-dependent forms of PP1. Deletion of a portion of the q arm of chromosome 6 is related with early onset intestinal cancer, proposing the presence of a cancer vulnerability locus.

Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) is a member of the type I cytokine receptor family. TSLPR alongside the interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) activate STAT3, STAT5, and JAK2 pathways, which is regulated processes such as cell proliferation and development of the hematopoietic system. Two transcript variants encoding dissimilar isoforms have been found for this gene. TSLPR is expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, kidney and adult and fetal liver.

Caltractin (CETN2) is a member of a family of calcium-binding proteins and is a structural component of the centrosome. CETN2 has a role in nucleotide excision repair via association with xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein, suggesting possible coupling of cell division and nucleotide excision repair.