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GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs) are synthetic peptides that like GHRH act directly on pituitary somatotrophs to stimulate GH release. GHRP-2, an investigational drug, is one of the most potent members of the GHRP family. It has been shown to be effective in adults via the oral and intranasal as well as the iv route of administration.

Anterior gradient protein 3 homolog precursor (AGR3) is a secreted cytoplasmic protein that is involved in metastasis induction and p53 tumor suppressor inhibition. AGR3 may function as molecular marker and potential therapeutic target for hormone-responsive breast tumors.

Phosphatidylinositol transfer protein alpha (PITPNA) is found in the cytoplasm, where it catalyzes the transfer of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) between membranes. PITPNA belongs to a family of lipid-binding proteins which transfer molecules of phosphatidylinositol or phosphatidylcholine between membrane surfaces. PITPNA is implicated in phospholipase C signaling and in the production of phosphatidylinositol 3, 4, 5-trisphosphate (PIP3) by phosphoinositide-3-kinase.

The somatomedins, or insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), comprise a family of peptides that play important roles in mammalian growth and development. IGF1 mediates many of the growth-promoting effects of growth hormone (GH; MIM 139250). Early studies showed that growth hormone did not directly stimulate the incorporation of sulfate into cartilage, but rather acted through a serum factor, termed 'sulfation factor,' which later became known as 'somatomedin' (Daughaday et al., 1972). Three main somatomedins have been characterized: somatomedin C (IGF1), somatomedin A (IGF2; MIM 147470), and somatomedin B (MIM 193190) (Rotwein, 1986; Rosenfeld, 2003).

Basic 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 heparin-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.

Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor is a growth factor and/or cytokine produced by the endothelium, macrophages and a number of other immune cells. GCSF stimulates the bone marrow to produce granulocytes and also to stimulate the survival, proliferation, differentiation and function of neutrophil granulocyte progenator cells and mature neutrophils.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 21 or TNFRSF21, is a protein that located in the cell membrane from the TNF receptor superfamily. By activating the NF-kappaB pathway, TNFRSF21 promotes cell apoptosis. The degeneration of cells caused by activating caspase 3 and caspase 6, the TNFRSF21 binds to the N-terminal APP in neuronal cell bodies and axons which leads to apoptosis. TNFRSF21 takes part in signaling cascades activated by stimulation of T-cell receptor.

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) is an important foetal growth hormone.IGF-II is made by theca cells during gestation. IGF-II binds the sink IGF-II receptor (IGF2R) which results in IGF-II degradation.IGF-II also engages the IGF-I receptor (IGF1R) to arbitrate embryonic growth.

CREB/ATF BZIP Transcription Factor, also known as CREBZF activates transcription strongly once bound to HCFC1. CREBZF suppresses the expression of HSV proteins in cells infected with the virus in a HCFC1-dependent manner. CREBZF suppresses the HCFC1-dependent transcriptional activation through CREB3 and reduces the quantity of CREB3 in the cell. In addition, CREBZF is capable to down-regulate expression of a few cellular genes in CREBZF-expressing cells.

Zwilch Kinetochore Protein which is also known as ZWILCH is a part of the ZWILCH family. ZWILCH is a vital part of the mitotic checkpoint. ZWILCH prevents the cells from exiting mitosis prematurely. ZWILCH is also necessary for the assembly of the dyneindynactin and MAD1-MAD2 complexes onto kinetochores.

Terlipressin is similar to a naturally occurring hormone present in the body, known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin. ADH has two main effects in the body. Firstly, it causes narrowing of blood vessels (vasoconstriction), thereby limiting blood flow to a particular area of the body. It also acts on receptors in the kidney to retain water in the body, which helps to prevent excessive loss of water in the urine. Terlipressin is commonly used to stop bleeding of varices in the food pipe (oesophagus). Varices are fragile distended veins that can occur in various parts of the body such as the oesophagus. This is caused by an increase in blood pressure in certain diseases such as severe liver disease. These fragile varices can rupture and lead to life threatening bleeding. Terlipressin is therefore given to narrow blood vessels, and so restricting blood flow to the varices and stopping the bleeding.

EMAP-II also called SCYE1 is a tumor derived cytokine that plays a role in a wide variety of activities on endothelial cells, monocytes and neutrophils. EMAP-II inhibits endothelial cell proliferation, vasculogenesis, neovessel formation, and can induce apoptosis. It is also chemotactic towards neutrophils and monocytes and induces myeloperoxidase activity from neutrophils. EMAP-II clinical value is inhibiting angiogenesis of vascular beds and suppressing the growth of primary and secondary tumors with no affect to normal tissues. SCYE1is specifically induced by apoptosis, and it is involved in the control of angiogenesis, inflammation, and wound healing. The release of this SCYE1 renders the tumor-associated vasculature sensitive to tumor necrosis factor. The precursor protein is identical to the p43 subunit, which is associated with the multi-tRNA synthetase complex, and it modulates aminoacylation activity of tRNA synthetase in normal cells. EMAP-2 plays a role in in the stimulation of inflammatory responses after proteolytic cleavage in tumor cells.

SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) is small cytokine belonging to the chemokine family that is officially designated Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12). It is produced in two forms, SDF-1?/CXCL12a and SDF-1?/CXCL12b, by alternate splicing of the same gene. Chemokines are characterized by the presence of four conserved cysteines, which form two disulfide bonds. The CXCL12 proteins belong to the group of CXC chemokines, whose initial pair of cysteines are separated by one intervening amino acid. CXCL12 is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and has been implicated as an important cell co-ordinator during development. During embryogenesis it directs the migration of hematopoietic cells from foetal liver to bone marrow. Mice which were knocked-out for CXCL12 gene were lethal before the birth or within just 1 hour of life. As another role, CXCL12a alters also the electrophysiology of neurons. CXCL12 was shown to be expressend in many tissues in mice (including brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and bone marrow).
The receptor for this chemokine is CXCR4, which was previously called fusin. This CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction used to be considered exclusive (unlike for other chemokines and their receptors), but recently it was suggested that CXCL12 is also bound by CXCR7 receptor.
The gene for CXCL12 is located on human chromosome 10. In human and mouse both CXCL12 and CXCR4 show high identity of sequence: 99% and 90%, respectively.

SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) is small cytokine belonging to the chemokine family that is officially designated Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12). It is produced in two forms, SDF-1?/CXCL12a and SDF-1?/CXCL12b, by alternate splicing of the same gene. Chemokines are characterized by the presence of four conserved cysteines, which form two disulfide bonds. The CXCL12 proteins belong to the group of CXC chemokines, whose initial pair of cysteines are separated by one intervening amino acid. CXCL12 is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and has been implicated as an important cell co-ordinator during development. During embryogenesis it directs the migration of hematopoietic cells from foetal liver to bone marrow. Mice which were knocked-out for CXCL12 gene were lethal before the birth or within just 1 hour of life. As another role, CXCL12a alters also the electrophysiology of neurons. CXCL12 was shown to be expressend in many tissues in mice (including brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and bone marrow).
The receptor for this chemokine is CXCR4, which was previously called fusin. This CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction used to be considered exclusive (unlike for other chemokines and their receptors), but recently it was suggested that CXCL12 is also bound by CXCR7 receptor.
The gene for CXCL12 is located on human chromosome 10. In human and mouse both CXCL12 and CXCR4 show high identity of sequence: 99% and 90%, respectively.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 17 (FGF17) belongs to the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members have broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in various biological processes including embryonic development cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. The FGF17 gene is highly expressed in the cerebellum and cortex. The mouse homolog of the FGF17 gene is localized to specific sites in the midline structures of the forebrain, the midbrain-hindbrain junction, developing skeleton and developing arteries, suggesting a role in central nervous system, bone and vascular development.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-6 (FGF6) belongs to the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess extensive mitogenic and cell survival functions, and are involved in various biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. The FGF6 gene displayes oncogenic transforming activity when transfected into mammalian cells. The mouse homolog of the FGF6 gene displays a restricted expression profile predominantly in the myogenic lineage, suggesting a role in muscle regeneration or differentiation.

TNFSF12 is a cytokine that is part of the TNF ligand family. TNFSF12 is a ligand for the FN14/TWEAKR receptor. TNFSF12 has overlapping signaling functions with TNF, but displays a much wider tissue distribution. TNFSF12 induces apoptosis through multiple pathways of cell death in a cell type-specific manner. TNFSF12 promotes proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, and therefore acts as a regulator of angiogenesis. TNFSF12 is expressed in adult heart, pancreas, skeletal muscle, small intestine, spleen and peripheral blood lymphocytes. TWEAK h induces NFkB and chemokine secretion. TNFSF12 exerts an apoptotic activity in HT-29 human adenocarcinoma cells whilst cultured in the presence of IFN-?. TNFSF12 promotes proliferation and migration of endothelial cells.

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.

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.

Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 39, also known as ARHGEF39, is a protein coding gene which owns one DH (DBL-homology) domain and one PH domain. ARHGEF39 encourages cell proliferation.

EED is a part of the Polycomb-group family whose members form multimeric protein complexe that are involved in preserving the transcriptional repressive state of genes over successive cell generations. EED mediates repression of gene activity through histone deacetylation, and acts as a specific regulator of integrin function. EED protein interacts with enhancer of zeste 2, the cytoplasmic tail of integrin ?7, immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) MA protein, and histone deacetylase proteins.