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The cytokine Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified to be secreted by the pituitary gland and the monocyte/macrophage and to play an important role in endotoxic shock. MIF has the unique property of being released from macrophages and T cells in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. The secretion of MIF is tightly regulated and decreases at high, anti-inflammatory steroid concentration.

Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. CSF-1 induces cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. It plays a role in immunological defenses, bone metabolism, lipoproteins clearance, fertility and pregnancy.

MED7 is a member of the Mediator complex subunit 7 family. The activation of gene transcription is a multistep course which is initiated by factors which identify transcriptional enhancer sites in DNA and collaborate with co-activators to direct transcriptional initiation by the RNA polymerase II apparatus. The gene encode a subunit of the CRSP (cofactor required for SP1 activation) complex, that, together with TFIID, is needed for effective activation by SP1. Additionally, MED7 is also an element of other multisubunit complexes e.g. thyroid hormone receptor-(TR-) associated proteins that cooperate with TR and enables TR function on DNA templates in conjunction with initiation factors and cofactors.

Mediator of ErbB2-driven cell motility 1 (MEMO1) is a member of the UPF0103 family. MEMO1 regulates cell migration by transmitting extracellular chemotactic signals to the microtubule cytoskeleton. Furthermore, MEMO1 controls the localization of APC and CLASP2 to the cell membrane, using the regulation of GSK3B activity. MEMO1 is essential for breast carcinoma cell migration, suggesting a key role in tumorigenesis. MEMO1 is also a mediator of ERBB2 signaling.

Methionine sulfoxide reductase B (MsrB) from Escherichia coli is a member of the msrB Met sulfoxide reductase family. The E.coli msrB carries out the reduction of methionine-R-sulfoxide to methionine. msrB possess a metal binding site composed of 2 CXXC motifs. The bound metal (zinc or iron) may stabilize the conformation of the enzymes.

Homeobox protein MOX-2 (MEOX2) is a part of a family of nonclustered, diverged homeobox genes which are expressed in overlapping patterns in the paraxial mesoderm and its derivatives. MEOX2 participates in the regulation of vertebrate limb myogenesis. MEOX2 also takes part in mesoderm induction and its earliest regional specification, somitogenesis, myogenic and sclerotomal differentiation. Mutations in the related mouse MEOX2 are related with craniofacial and/or skeletal abnormalities, in addition to neurovascular dysfunction observed in Alzheimer's disease.

Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MYD88) is a cytosolic adapter protein, which has a central role in the innate and adaptive immune response. MYD88 functions as a vital signal transducer in the interleukin-1 and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. MYD88 acts via IRAK1, IRAK2, IRF7 and TRAF6, leading to NF-kappa-B activation, cytokine secretion and the inflammatory response. The MYD88 protein increases IL-8 transcription. MYD88 is involved in IL-18-mediated signaling pathway. MYD88 activates IRF1, resulting in its rapid migration into the nucleus to mediate an efficient induction of IFN-beta, NOS2/INOS, and IL12A genes. MYD88 is comprised of an N-terminal death domain and a C-terminal Toll-interleukin1 receptor domain. Patients with defects in the MYD88 gene have an increased susceptibility to pyogenic bacterial infections.

MECP2 is the key modificator of eukaryotic genomes and has a crucial part in mammalian development.
Human proteins MECP2, MBD1, MBD2, MBD3, and MBD4 form a family of nuclear proteins linked by the existence in each of a methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD). Each one of these proteins, with the exception of MBD3, can bind specifically to methylated DNA. In addition, MECP2, MBD1 and MBD2 can inhibit transcription from methylated gene promoters. Unlike other MBD family members, MECP2 is X-linked and subject to X inactivation. MECP2 is expendable in stem cells, but is vital for embryonic development. MECP2 gene mutations are the cause of most cases of Rett syndrome, a progressive neurologic developmental disorder and one of the most common reasons of mental retardation in females.

Myostatin (GDF-8) is expressed uniquely in human skeletal muscle as a 12 kDa mature glycoprotein consisting of 113 amino acid residues and secreted into plasma. Myostatin is a member of the transforming growth factor ? superfamily of secreted growth and differentiation factors that is essential for proper regulation of skeletal muscle mass. Studies have shown that myostatin could play an important role in cardiac development and physiology.

MANF is a 20kDa protein which belongs to the ARMET family. MANF was originally known as an arginine-rich region protein which was extremely mutated in a large number of tumors. MANF Expression is induced during ER stress, signifying that MANF takes part in protein quality control during ER stress.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) is a multifunctional growth factor which regulates both cell growth and cell motility. It exerts a strong mitogenic effect on hepatocytes and primary epithelial cells. HGF synergizes with Interleukin-3 and GM-CSF to stimulate colony formation of hematopoietic progenitor cells in vitro and may, therefore, also modulate hematopoiesis.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) or classical MAP kinases are widely expressed protein kinaseintracellular signalingmolecules which are involved in functions including the regulation of meiosis, mitosis, and postmitotic functions in differentiated cells. Many different stimuli, including growth factors, cytokines, virusinfection, ligands for heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors, transforming agents, and carcinogens, activate the ERK pathway.
The term, "extracellular signal-regulated kinases", is sometimes used as a synonym for mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), but has more recently been adopted for a specific subset of the mammalianMAPK family. In the MAPK/ERK pathway, Rasactivates c-Raf, followed by MEKand then MAPK1/2 (below). Ras is typically activated by growth hormones through receptor tyrosine kinasesand GRB2/SOS, but may also receive other signals. ERKs are known to activate many transcription factors and some downstream protein kinases. Disruption of the ERK pathway is common in cancers, especially Ras, c-Raf and receptors such as HER2.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) is also known as "extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1" (ERK1). Transgenic gene knockoutmice lacking MAPK3 are viable and it is thought that MAPK1 can fulfill most MAPK3 functions in most cells. The main exception is in T cells. Mice lacking MAPK3 have reduced T cell development past the CD4+CD8+ stage.

PLGF is a growth factor active in angiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth, stimulating their proliferation and migration. It binds to receptor vegfr-1/flt1.

Inositol oxygenase is a non-heme di-iron enzyme which oxidizes myo-inositol to glucuronic acid. In addition, inositol oxygenase oxidizes the less abundant chiro isomer of inositol. MIOX enzyme is a component of the only known pathway for the catabolism of inositol in humans. MIOX is expressed mostly in the kidneys. Reduction of Inositol Oxygenase and accumulation of polyols, such as inositol and xylitol, have been implicated as contributing factors in complications linked with diabetes.

MCSFR which is also familiar as CSF1R, is part of the type3 subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. MCSFR is expressed mainly on cells of the monocyte and macrophage lineage, stem cells, and in the growing placenta. Most of the biological effects of this cytokine are mediated by MCSFR. MCSFR contains an extracellular ligand-binding domain, a single membrane-spanning segment, and an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. Originally CSF1 and this receptor were implicated as vital for normal trophoblastic implantation as well as monocyte development. The role of CSF1/CSF1R in normal mammary gland development is actually very interesting since this connection has also been discovered in the biology of breast cancer with the results of abnormal expression of CSF1 and its receptor. Likewise, in Alzheimer's disease and after brain injuries an increased level of CSF1R was found in the microglia, which causes the microglia to become more active.

DHH is part of the Hedgehog family which encodes signaling molecules that are involved in regulating morphogenesis. DHH protein is a precursor that is autocatalytically cleaved, the N-terminal portion is soluble and contains the signalling activity while the C-terminal portion is involved in precursor processing. Additionally, the C-terminal product covalently attaches a cholesterol moiety to the N-terminal product, restricting the N-terminal product to the cell surface and preventing it from freely diffusing throughout the organism. Defects in DHH protein have been associated with partial gonadal dysgenesis (PGD) accompanied by minifascicular polyneuropathy. DHH plays a role both male gonadal differentiation and perineurial development.
DHH plays a role in intercellular signaling which is essential for a variety of patterning events during development. DHH functions as a spermatocyte survival factor in the testes & is essential for testes development.

The cytokine Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified to be secreted by the pituitary gland and the monocyte/macrophage and to play an important role in endotoxic shock. MIF has the unique property of being released from macrophages and T cells in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. The secretion of MIF is tightly regulated and decreases at high, anti-inflammatory steroid concentration.

USH1C gene product Harmonin, is a scaffold protein which functions in the assembly of Usher protein complexes. Harmonin is able to attach to various proteins in cell membranes and coordinate their activities. Harmonin contains PDZ domains, a coiled-coil region with a bipartite nuclear localization signal and a PEST degradation sequence. USH1C is expressed in the small intestine, colon, kidney, eye, vestibule of the inner ear and weakly in the pancreas.
Mutations in the USH1C gene cause the Usher syndrome type I which is an autosomal recessive sensory defect involving congenital profound sensorineural deafness, vestibular dysfunction, and blindness due to progressive retinitis pigmentosa. Sensorineural deafness is caused by damage to the neural receptors of the inner ear, the nerve pathways to the brain, or the area of the brain that receives sound information. The 3 types of the Usher syndrome (1- 3) are distinguished by age at onset and differences in auditory and vestibular function. USH1C gene defects cause of non-syndromic sensorineural deafness autosomal recessive type 18 (DFNB18), is a form of sensorineural hearing loss.

Developmental Pluripotency Associated 3 (DPPA3) is a protein which in mice may serve as a maternal factor during the preimplantation stage of development. In mice, the DPPA3 protein has a role in transcriptional repression, cell division, and maintenance of cell pluripotentiality. In humans, related intronless loci are found on chromosomes 14 and X. DPPA3 is expressed in embryonic stem and carcinoma cells. DPPA3 has a low expression in the testis, ovary and thymus. DPPA3 is highly expressed in testicular germ cell tumors.

Sclerostin (SOST) is a secreted glycoprotein with a C-terminal cysteine knot-like (CTCK) domain and sequence similarity to the DAN (differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma) family of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists. Sclerostin functions as a negative regulator of bone growth, by inhibiting bone formation. SOST is widely expressed at low levels, with highest levels in the bone, cartilage, kidney, liver, bone marrow and primary osteoblasts differentiated for 21 days. SOST gene defects cause sclerosteosis and bone dysplasia.

GADD45G is part of the nuclear proteins to interact with various proteins whose transcript levels are raised after stressful growth arrest conditions and treatment with DNA-damaging agents. GADD45G reacts to environmental stresses by mediating activation of the p38/JNK pathway which is mediated through their protein binding and activating MTK1/MEKK4 kinase, which is an upstream activator of both p38 and JNK MAPKs. GADD45G acts as a new-age tumor suppressor however is being frequently inactivated epigenetically in multiple tumors. GADD45G mRNA expression is down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma. GADD45G causes cell cycle arrest at G2/M transition when transfected into Hep-G2 cells. GADD45 Gamma induction by androgens involves new protein synthesis. Overexpression of GADD45 Gamma inhibits cell growth and causes morphological modifications in prostate cell lines thus GADD45 gamma takes part in differentiation induction by androgens.

Leptin Receptor is a part of the gp130 family of cytokine receptors that stimulate gene transcription by activating cytosolic STAT proteins. Leptin Receptor plays a role in the regulation of fat metabolism and in novel hematopoietic pathway that is obligatory for normal lymphopoiesis. Leptin Receptorparticipates in the regulation of counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia by inhibiting neurons of the parabrachial nucleus.Leptin Receptoraffectsspecifically on T lymphocyte responses.

Membrane Metalloendopeptidase, also known as MME is a zinc metallopeptidase which is expressed at the cell surface of various cells. MME degrades the amyloid beta peptide whose abnormal misfolding as well as aggregation in neural tissue has been implicated as the cause for Alzheimer's disease. MME is expressed in an extended range of tissues and is especially plentiful in the kidney. MME is also a common acute lymphocytic leukemia antigen which is a significant cell surface marker in the diagnosis of human acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). MME is used in hematological diagnosis because it is expressed by early B, pro-B and pre-B lymphocytes, and also by lymph node germinal centers.