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Obestatin is a hormone that is produced in the cells lining the stomach and small intestine of several mammals including humans; it drastically reduces appetite in mice and is expected to do the same in humans. Obestatin is a peptide hormone - a relatively small protein. It is encoded by the same gene that also encodes ghrelin, a peptide hormone that increases appetite. The protein produced by that gene breaks into two smaller peptides, ghrelin and obestatin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and is involved in regulating growth hormone release. Ghrelin is derived from a preprohormone called preproghrelin, which also generates a second peptide called obestatin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR39 and is involved in satiety and decreased food intake.

KGF 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. FGF7 is a potent epithelial cell-specific growth factor, whose mitogenic activity is predominantly exhibited in keratinocytes but not in fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Studies of mouse and rat homologs of this gene implicated roles in morphogenesis of epithelium, reepithelialization of wounds, hair development and early lung organogenesis.

GTP Cyclohydrolase I Feedback Regulator, also known as GCHFR, is a Protein coding gene which includes a homodimer. GCHFR binds and mediates tetrahydrobiopterin inhibition of GTP cyclohydrolase I. GCHFR also regulates phenylalanine metabolism in the liver and in the production of biogenic amine neurotransmitters and nitric oxide.

Signaling threshold-regulating transmembrane adapter 1 (SIT1) negatively regulates T-cell antigen receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling in T-cells. SIT1 is involved in positive selection of T-cells. SIT1 is specifically expressed in T- and B-cells. SIT1 is also present in plasma cells but not in germinal center B-cells (at protein level). SIT1 is expressed in T- and B-cell lymphoma.

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).

KGF-2 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. FGF-10 exhibits mitogenic activity for keratinizing epidermal cells, but essentially no activity for fibroblasts, which is similar to the biological activity of FGF7. Studies of the mouse homolog of suggested that this gene is required for embryonic epidermal morphogenesis including brain development, lung morphogenesis, and initiation of lim bud formation. This gene is also implicated to be a primary factor in the process of wound healing.

Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least eighteen structurally realted proteins that are involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cell growth, differentation, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family if type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. Four distinct genes encoding closely related FGF receptors, FGFR-1to -4 are known. Multiple forms of FGFR-1 to -3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGFR-1 and -2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the alpha isoform, or only IgII and IgIII, referred to as the ? isoform. Only the alpha isoform has been identified for FGFR-3 and FGFR-4. Additional splicing events for FGFR-1 to -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 FGFR-1. Mutations in FGFR-1 to -3 have been found in patients with birth defects involving craniosynostosis.

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.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-19 (FGF-19) is a member of the FGF family. FGF-19 interacts with FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4. T FGF-19 takes part in the suppression of bile acid biosynthesis through downregulation of CYP7A1 expression, following positive regulation of the JNK and EPK1/2 cascades. FGF-19 stimulates glucose uptake in adiposytes and is a high affinity, heparin dependent ligand for FGFR4.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP-4) belongs to the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) family. IGFBP4 includes an IGFBP domain and a thyroglobulin type-I domain. IGFBP4 binds both insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) I and II. IGFBP-4 circulates in the plasma in both glycosylated and non-glycosylated forms. IGFBPs can either inhibit or enhance the biological activities of IGF, or act in an IGF independent manner. IGFBP-4 is exceptional since it consistently inhibits several cancer cells in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that it may function as an apoptotic factor. IGFBP4 is produced by all colon cancer cells. Binding of IGFBP-4 prolongs the half-life of the IGFs and changes their interaction with cell surface receptors.

FGF12 is part of the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) family which has a vast mitogenic and cell survival functions, and play a role in a range of biological activities, among them are embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth, and invasion. FGF-12 doesn’t obtain the N-terminal signal sequence present in the majority of the FGF family members, but it contains clusters of basic residues that act as a nuclear localization signal. When transfected into mammalian cells, FGF12 accumulated in the nucleus, but was not secreted. FGF12 is involved in nervous system development and function. FGF12 binds to IB2 (islet brain-2), a cellular kinase scaffold, and voltage gated sodium channels and is also involved in intracellular signalling and ion exchange.

Dual-Specificity Tyrosine-(Y)-Phosphorylation Regulated 1A (DYRK1A) belongs to the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase (DYRK) family. DYRK1A includes a nuclear targeting signal sequence, a leucine zipper motif and a protein kinase domain. DYRK1A catalyzes its autophosphorylation on serine/threonine and tyrosine residues and takes part in a signaling pathway regulating cell proliferation. DYRK1A has a substrate preference for proline at position P+1 and arginine at position P-3.

FGF-23 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. FGF-23 inhibits renal tubular phosphate transport. This gene was identified by its mutations associated with autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR), an inherited phosphate wasting disorder. Abnormally high level expression of FGF23 was found in oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia (OHO), a phenotypically similar disease caused by abnormal phosphate metabolism. Mutations FGF23 have also been shown to cause familial tumoral calcinosis with hyperphosphatemia.

Fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF-13) is a member of the large FGF family which has at least 23 members. Most of its members are binding growth factors with a core 120 amino acid (aa) FGF domain which allows for a mutual tertiary structure. Human and mouse FGF13 are 245 aa proteins which arise from genes that show N-terminal alternative splicing. Transcripts for 245 aa, 199 aa, 226 aa, 192 aa and 255 aa have been identified in human and mouse, with almost complete cross-species aa identity among all splice forms (greater than 98%). FGF13 is identified in the fetal ependyma, dorsal root and cranial ganglia, both atrial and ventricular myocardium, and in renal collecting duct-associated mesenchyme.

FGFR1 oncogene partner (FGFR1OP) is a member of the FGFR1OP family. The FGFR1OP protein is an essentially hydrophilic protein proposed to be a leucine-rich protein family member. A t(6;8)(q27;p11) chromosomal translocation, fusing the FGFR1OP gene and the FGFR1 gene, is seen in cases of myeloproliferative disorder. The ensuing chimeric protein contains the N-terminal leucine-rich region of the FGFR1OP protein fused to the catalytic domain of FGFR1. The FGFR1OP gene is believed to play a significant role in normal proliferation and differentiation of the erythroid lineage.

HECT and RLD Domain Containing E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase 5 (HERC5) is a member of the HERC family of ubiquitin ligases, found in a cluster of HERC family genes on chromosome 4. HERC5 is a protein with a HECT domain and 5 RCC1 repeats. The HERC5 protein localizes to the cytoplasm and perinuclear region and serves as an INF-induced E3 protein ligase that mediates ISGylation of protein targets. HERC5 exhibits antiviral activity towards HIV-1, influenza A virus and human papillomavirus. HERC5 is a major E3 ligase for ISG15 conjugation. HERC5 also serves as a positive regulator of innate antiviral response in cells induced by INF. Pro-inflammatory cytokines upregulate HERC5 in endothelial cells. HERC5 is physically connected with polyribosomes, broadly modifies recently synthesized proteins in a cotranslational fashion.

ATF1, a cyclic-AMP dependent transcription factor, is expressed in a large selection of cell types and can dimerize with CREB. MSK1 and MSK2 protein kinases are essential for the stress-induced phosphorylation of transcription factors CREB and ATF1 in primary embryonic fibroblasts. Epidermal growth factor induction of c-jun expression needs ATF1 and MEF2 sites in the c-jun promoter.

CAMLG binds to cyclophilin B and operates downstream of the TCR and upstream of calcineurin by causing an influx of calcium. CAMLG is an essential membrane protein that takes part in the calcium signal transduction pathway, connecting cyclophilin B to calcium signaling.

CFLAR contains two death effector domains (DEDs) and a caspase-like domain. CFLAR may play a critical role between cell survival and cell death pathway in mammalian cells. CFLAR also interacts with adapter protein FADD and caspase-8 and -10, and potently inhibits apoptosis induced by all known death receptors DR3 (death receptor 3), TRAIL-R (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor) and TNFR1 (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1).

Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least 18 structurally related proteins that take part in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, includingdifferentiation, cell growth, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family if type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. 4 different genes encoding related FGF receptors. Multiple forms of FGFR-1 to -3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGFR-1 and -2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the alpha isoform, or only IgII and IgIII. Only the alpha isoform has been identified for FGFR-3 and FGFR-4. Additional splicing events for FGFR-1 to -3, involving the C-terminal half of the IgIII domain encoded by 2 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 FGFR-1.

EDN3 interacts with endothelin receptor B, on the surface of cells. Throughout embryonic development, EDN3 takes part in neural crest cells that migrate from the developing spinal cord to specific regions in the embryo, where they give rise to many different types of cells. EDN3 and EDN3R are necessary for the formation of nerves in the large intestine (enteric nerves) and melanocytes (produce melanin). Mutations in the EDN3 gene is linked with Waardenburg syndrome, type IV that is characterized by changes in skin, hair, and eye coloring. Mutations in the EDN3 gene is linked with Hirschsprung disease that causes severe constipation or intestinal blockage.

TGFB-Induced Factor Homeobox 2-Like, X-Linked (TGIF2LX) belongs to the TALE/TGIF homeobox family of transcription factors and takes part in spermatogenesis. A homolog of TGIF2LX is located in the male specific region of chromosome Y, in a block of sequence which is the outcome of a large X-to-Y transposition.