Search results

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.

Adiponectin is a hormone exclusively expressed from adipose tissue.
Many studies demonstrate that Adiponectin has direct anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory functions. APM-1 can increase insulin sensitivity of skeletal muscle. Attenuate hepatic lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis, regulate NO production in endothelial cells, inhibit proliferation of smooth muscle cells and prevent lipid accumulation of macrophage cells.
In the circulation, Adiponectin is present as three different oligomeric complexes, including the high molecular weight (HMW), the middle molecular weight (MMW, also called hexamer) and low molecular weigh (MMW, also called trimer) forms 8. Different oligomeric complex of Adiponectin activates different signaling pathways and exerts distinct functions.

Lysostaphin, an endopeptidase specific for the cell wall peptidoglycan of staphylococci, is an extremely potent anti-staphylococcal agent. Lysostaphin is used as a research and diagnostic tool. Because it lyses staphylococci efficiently, it is widely used when preparing staphylococcal DNA or other cellular components for genetic and biochemical studies and for the preparation of protoplasts for transformation. Preparation and analysis of bacterial DNA has become a powerful tool used by clinical and other microbiologists in epidemiological studies aimed at tracing sources of infection or bacterial contamination.

Mesoderm development candidate 2 (MESDC2) is required for formation of the primitive streak and mesoderm during embryogenesis. MESDC2 binds to the Wnt co-receptors LRP5 and LRP6 in the endoplasmic reticulum and is required for their proper folding and cell surface expression.

CXADR is a component of the epithelial apical junction complex which operates as an homophilic cell adhesion molecule and is crucial for tight junction integrity. CXADR also takes part in transepithelial relocation of leukocytes through adhesive interactions with AMICA1/JAML a transmembrane protein of the plasma membrane of leukocytes. A number of transcript variants encoding different isoforms were identified for this gene. Pseudogenes of this gene were located on chromosomes 15, 18, and 21.

CysH (Phosphoadenosine phosphosulfate reductase) is a member of the PAPS reductase family, specifically those acting on a sulfur group of donors with a disulfide as acceptor. The 3 substrates of the CysH enzyme are adenosine 3',5'-bisphosphate, sulfite, and thioredoxin disulfide, whereas its two products are 3'-phosphoadenylyl sulfate and thioredoxin.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL7) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. It is a protein that is released in large amounts from platelets following their activation. It stimulates various processes including mitogenesis, synthesis of extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism and synthesis of plasminogen activator.

Diphthamide Biosynthesis 3 Pseudogene 1 also known as DPH3P1 may stand for a processed pseudogene of DPH3 since it lacks the exon/intron structurefound in the functional gene. Yet, DPH3P1 does contain an intact open reading frame, though its translation has not been established.

Isocitrate Dehydrogenase is an enzyme of the oxidoreductase class that catalyzes the conversion of isocitrate and NAD+ to yield 2-ketoglutarate, carbon dioxide, and NADH. It occurs in cell mitochondria. The enzyme requires Mg2+, Mn2+; it is activated by ADP, citrate, and Ca2+, and inhibited by NADH, NADPH, and ATP. The reaction is the key rate-limiting step of the citric acid (tricarboxylic) cycle.

ATF3 belongs to the mammalian activation transcription factor/cAMP responsive element-binding (CREB) protein family of transcription factors. ATF3 binds the cAMP response element (CRE) (consensus: 5'-GTGACGT[AC][AG]-3'), a sequence present in numerous viral and cellular promoters. Multiple transcript variants encoding two different isoforms are known for this gene. The longer isoform represses transcription from promoters with ATF binding elements instead of activating it. The shorter isoform (deltaZip2) which stimulates transcription by sequestering inhibitory co-factors away from the promoter has no leucine zipper protein-dimerization motif and does not bind to DNA.

NUDT5 is part of the nudix hydrolase family which remove toxic nucleotide derivatives from the cell. NUDT5 hydrolyzes ADP-ribose and ADP-mannose in the presence of magnesium, and in addition hydrolyzes nucleotide sugars with decreasing activity such as ADP-glucose and diadenosine diphosphate. As a nudix hydrolase, NUDT5 holds a central nudix motif and functions to eliminate toxic nucleotide metabolites from the cell while maintaining the levels of signaling nucleotides.
NUDT5 is broadly expressed but is most abundant in liver as a homodimer.

Omentin is a recently recognized gene highly localized to the mental tissue (visceral adipose tissue). Omentin is present in the stromal vascular cells in the adipose tissue rather than in the adipocytes. Omentin is predominantly expressed in the visceral adipose tissue than the subcutaneous tissue, with the omentin mRNA being 150 times higher in the visceral adipose tissue. Omentin has also been detected in human blood using western blot analysis, and seems to increase insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in mice. Omentin seems to increase Akt phosphorylation irrespective of insulin presence. Its role in glucose metabolism and obesity remains to be described; an insulin-sensitizing action is possible.Differences in Omentin expression has been noted in adipose tissue from normals and patients with inflammatory bowel disease although its significance is unknown.

The Trefoil Factor peptides (TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3) are stable secretory proteins expressed in the gastrointestinal tract (gastric mucosa), and are involved in intestinal mucosal defense and repair. TFF1 is an essential protein for normal differentiation of the antral and pyloric gastric mucosa and functions as a gastric-specific tumor suppressor gene. TFF1 is a stabilizer of the mucous gel overlying the gastrointestinal mucosa that provides a physical barrier against various noxious agents. TFF1 protects the mucosa from isults, stabilizes the mucus layer, & affects healing of the epithelium. TFF1 is commonly expressed in tumors. TFF1 is related with the cell membrane of MCF-7 cells. High levels of TFF1 and TFF2 are found in serum from inflammatory bowel disease.

KISS1 is a metastasis suppressor protein that suppresses metastases of melanomas and breast carcinomas without affecting tumorigenicity.KISS1 functions to inhibit chemotaxis and invasion, attenuating metastasis in malignant melanomas. KISS1 is involved in the regulation of cell-matrix adhesion. KISS1 plays a role in cytoskeletal reorganization. A polymorphism in the terminal exon of KISS1 mRNA results in two protein isoforms. Expression of KiSS1 is localized to specific regions of the hypothalamus in numerous species and is regulated by gonadal steroids and across the estrous cycle..KISS1 generates a c-terminally amidated peptide, metastin which functions as the endogenous ligand of the g-protein coupled receptor gpr54. Activation of the receptor inhibits cell proliferation and cell migration, key characteristics of tumor metastasis.

TRXR is a ubiquitous enzyme which participates in various cellular processes such as cell growth, p53 activity, and protection against oxidation stress. The mammalian Thioredoxin reductase cleaves thioredoxins as well as non-disulfide substrates such as selenite, lipoic acids, lipid hydroperoxides, and hydrogen peroxidec.

Cofilin is a family of actin-binding proteins which disassembles actin filaments. It is a widely distributed intracellular actin-modulating protein that binds and depolymerizes filamentous F-actin and inhibits the polymerization of monomeric G-actin in a pH-dependent manner. It is involved in the translocation of actin-cofilin complex from cytoplasm to nucleus.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha factor (LITAF) is a small integral membrane protein of lysosome/late endosome. The expression of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha in Lipopolysaccharide-induced processes is mediated by LITAF. LITAF connects to STAT6B, which belongs to the STAT6 family forming a complex on the TNF-alpha promoter that modifies TNF activity. High levels of expression of LITAF mRNA are observed mostly in the placenta, peripheral blood leukocytes, lymph nodes and spleen.

Uteroglobin (SCGB1A1) which belongs to the Secretoglobin (SCGBs) superfamily, is a multifunctional protein that exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic effects by binding small hydrophobic molecules such as phospholipids and prostaglandins. Uteroglobin is involved in numerous functions including anti-inflammation, inhibition of phospholipase A2 and the sequestering of hydrophobic ligands. SCGB1A1 is expressed by Clara cells, the non-ciliated, non-mucous secretory cells predominant in lung bronchioles, and by other epithelia which communicate with the external environment. On top of sequestering pro-inflammatory mediators and carcinogens, Uteroglobin is implicated in the inhibition of cell migration and invasion, platelet aggregation, and T cell differentiation. SCGB1A1 gene defects are associated with a susceptibility to asthma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis and 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 are linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Desmopressin is the first vasopressin analog with a very high and very specific antidiuretic effect, has been widely used for different therapeutic purposes and is believed to be partly responsible for the formation of memories learning and memory processes. Desmopressin increases urine concentration and decreases urine production. Desmopressin is used to prevent and control excessive thirst, urination, and dehydration.

Meteorin (METRN) is involved in both glial cell differentiation and axonal network formation during neurogenesis. METRN promotes astrocyte differentiation and transforms cerebellar astrocytes into radial glia. Moreover, the METRN protein stimulates axonal extension in small and intermediate neurons of sensory ganglia by activating nearby satellite glia.

DiGeorge syndrome critical region 6-like protein (DGCR6L) shares homology with the Drosophila gonadal protein, it is expressed in gonadal tissues and germ cells, and with the human laminin gamma-1 chain which functions in cell attachment and migration. DGCR6L is located in a region of chromosome 22 involved in the DiGeorge syndrome, one aspect of a wider collection of anomalies referred to as the CATCH 22 syndrome. Moreover, it is one of two functional genes encoding nearly identical proteins which have analogous expression patterns.

SPIN1 is a member of the SPIN/STSY family. SPIN1 is localized to nucleus, and expressed in several tissues and cells. SPIN1 takes part in cell-cycle regulation in the course of the transition from gamete to embryo.

Testican-3 (Spock3) is a nervous system-expressed heparan sulfate proteoglycan belonging to a subgroup of the BM-40/SPARC/osteonectin family, whose role of in brain development is unclear. Spock3 inhibits the processing of pro-matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2) by MT1-MMP and MT3-MMP. Spock3 is mostly confined to the developmental stage of the brain.