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The acute phase plasma protein ORM1 synthesized by the liver mediates the interaction between blood cells and endothelial cells. In addition, together with haptoglobin and C reactive protein, ORM1 regulates the extravasation of the cells through infection and inflammation. Expression of ORM1 is induced by acute-phase stimulatory mediators such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

Ro 60 kDa autoantigen is an RNA-binding protein that binds to several small cytoplasmic RNA molecules known as Y RNAs. SSA2 may stabilize these RNAs from degradation. Sera taken from patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) often contains antibodies that react with the normal cellular SSA2 protein as if this antigen was foreign.

Calcium-binding protein 39-like (CAB39L), is analogous to MO25 and located in the serum of virtually half of all patients diagnosed with acute monocytic leukemia. CAB39L plays a role in carcinogenesis. Furthermore, LKB1 activity raises upon the binding of a regulatory complex consisting of the STE20-related adaptor-alpha (STRAD alpha) pseudo kinase and the CAB39L.

LGALS8 is a prostate-specific antigen that is solely overexpressed in malignant tumors and thus is a supplementary specific identifier of malignancies. LGALS8 is part of the galectin gene family which facilitates both cell-cell and cell matrix interactions in a method parallel to the selectin subgroup of C-type lectins.

GTPase, IMAP Family Member 5 (GIMAP5) is a part of the GTP-binding superfamily and the immuno-associated nucleotide subfamily of nucleotide-binding proteins. GIMAP5 is an antiapoptotic protein which is required for mitochondrial integrity and T-cell survival. Polymorphisms in GIMAP5 are related with systemic lupus erythematosus. Read-through transcription can be found between GIMAP5 and the neighboring upstream GIMAP1 (GTPase, IMAP family member 1) gene. GIMAP5 also contributes to T-cell quiescence.

Pellino E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase Family Member 2, also known as PELI2 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase which catalyzes the covalent attachment of ubiquitin moieties onto substrate proteins. PELI2 is implicated in the TLR and IL-1 signaling pathways through interaction with the complex which contain IRAK kinases and TRAF6. PELI2 also mediates IL1B-induced IRAK1 'Lys-63'-linked polyubiquitination and possibly 'Lys-48'-linked ubiquitination. PELI2 is significant for LPS- and IL1B-induced MAP3K7-dependent, however not for MAP3K3-dependent, NF-kappa-B activation. Moreover, PELI2 can activate the MAP (mitogen activated protein) kinase pathway directing to activation of ELK1.

Ro 60 kDa autoantigen is an RNA-binding protein that binds to several small cytoplasmic RNA molecules known as Y RNAs. SSA2 may stabilize these RNAs from degradation. Sera taken from patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) often contains antibodies that react with the normal cellular SSA2 protein as if this antigen was foreign.

DIRAS1 is a member of a distinct branch of the functionally diverse Ras superfamily of monomeric GTPases. DIRAS1 demonstrates low GTPase activity and exists mainly in the GTP-bound form. Ras proteins operate as binary molecular switches that control intracellular signaling networks. Ras-regulated signal pathways regulate such processes as actin cytoskeletal integrity, proliferation, differentiation, cell adhesion, apoptosis, and cell migration. Ras and ras-related proteins are frequently deregulated in cancers, leading to increased invasion and metastasis, and decreased apoptosis.

BSND is a vital beta subunit for CLC chloride channels. These heteromeric channels are restricted to basolateral membranes of renal tubules and of potassium-secreting epithelia of the inner ear. BSND gene mutations are linked with Bartter syndrome with sensorineural deafness.

LIN28 is a marker of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells and it increases the productivity of the formation of induced pluripotent stem cells from human fibroblasts. LIN28 acts as a 'translational enhancer and therefore leading specific mRNAs to polysomes and causes an increased protein synthesis. LIN28 binds let-7 pre-miRNA and blocks production of the mature let-7 microRNA in mouse embryonic stem cells.

C1QTNF6 is a collagen type-IV specific for basement membranes. C1QTNF6 is vital for embryonic development.

ANGPTL3 and ANGPTL4 are angiopoietin-like proteins secreted and expressed mainly by the liver, their role being the regulation of triglyceride metabolism by inhibiting the lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. During different nutritional states (feeding/fasting) the levels of the circulating triglycerides are regulated by Angptl3 and Angptl4 through differential inhibition of Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) as shown by the experimental data. The molecular structure of ANGPTL3 is similar to that of the angiopoietins (vascular endothelial growth factors). Deletion mutants of human Angiopoietin 5 were used in order to demonstrate that the N-terminal domain (fragment 17-207) and not the C-terminal fibrinogen-like domain (fragment 207-460) increased the plasma triglyceride levels in mice.

MICA (MHC class I chain-related gene A) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that functions as a ligand for human NKG2D. A closely related protein, MICB, shares 85% amino acid identity with MICA. These proteins are distantly related to the MHC class I proteins. They possess three extracellular Ig-like domains, but they have no capacity to bind peptide or interact with ?2-microglobulin. The genes encoding these proteins are found within the Major Histocompatibility Complex on human chromosome 6. The MICA locus is highly polymorphic with more than 50 recognized human alleles. MICA is absent from most cells but is frequently expressed in epithelial tumors and can be induced by bacterial and viral infections. MICA is a ligand for human NKG2D, an activating receptor expressed on NK cells, NKT cells,gammadelta T cells, and CD8+beta T cells. Recognition of MICA by NKG2D results in the activation of cytolytic activity and/or cytokine production by these effector cells. MICA recognition is involved in tumor surveillance, viral infections, and autoimmune diseases.

Secretoglobin Family 1D, Member 1 (SCGB1D1) belongs to the lipophilin subfamily, part of the uteroglobin superfamily, and is an ortholog of prostatein (which is the major secretory glycoprotein of the rat ventral prostate gland). SCGB1D1 binds androgens and other steroids. In addition SCGB1D1 binds chemotherapeutic drugs during the prostate cancer treatment. Steroid hormones regulate the SCGB1D1 transcription. SCGB1D1 is secreted into extracellular space. SCGB1D1 gene product represents one component of a heterodimeric molecule found in human tears whose elution profile is consistent with prostatein (which is a tetrameric molecule comprised of 3 peptide components in heterodimers).

SLAM family member 6 (SLAMF6) is a member of the SLAM family of immune cell receptors. SLAMF6 is a unique receptor on T cells which, when triggered potentiates T cell expansion in a CD28-independent manner. SLAMF6 has a high expression on NK-, T-, and B cells. SLAMF6 exhibits homotypic interactions and can connect with adaptor molecules such as SAP to alter immune cell function.

SLAM family member 6 (SLAMF6) is a member of the SLAM family of immune cell receptors. SLAMF6 is a unique receptor on T cells which, when triggered potentiates T cell expansion in a CD28-independent manner. SLAMF6 has a high expression on NK-, T-, and B cells. SLAMF6 exhibits homotypic interactions and can connect with adaptor molecules such as SAP to alter immune cell function.

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.

Otubain 1 (OTUB1) belongs to the ovarian tumor (OUT) superfamily of predicted cysteine proteases and inhibits cytokine gene transcription in the immune system through its interaction with a ubiquitin protease and E3 ubiquitin ligase. OTUB1 is a highly specific ubiquitin iso-peptidase, it cleaves ubiquitin from branched poly-ubiquitin chains but not from ubiquitinated substrates. OTUB1 is believed to work in specific ubiquitin-dependent pathways, possibly by providing an editing function of polyubiquitin chain growth. OTUB1 is a hydrolase that removes conjugated ubiquitin from proteins in vitro and may therefore have a significant regulatory role in the level of protein turnover by preventing degradation. Additionally, OTUB1 is a regulator of T-cell anergy, a phenomenon that occurs when T-cells are rendered impassive to antigen re-challenge and no longer respond to their cognate antigen. OTUB1 acts via its interaction with RNF128/GRAIL, which is an essential inductor of CD4 T-cell anergy.

MAGEA4 is part of the MAGEA family, which directs the expression of tumor antigens that are identified on a human melanoma by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). MAGEA4 participates in embryonal development and tumor transformation or aspects of tumor progression. MAGEA4 is expressed in many tumors of several types, such as melanoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung carcinoma and breast carcinoma, but not in normal tissues except for testes and placenta.

Homeobox A9 (HOXA9) is a member of the Abd-B homeobox family. The HOXA9 protein is a transcription factor with a key role in both haemopoiesis and leukaemia. High levels of HOXA9 expression in haemopoietic cells is a distinctive feature of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and may be sufficient to cause this disease. HOXA9 overexpression noticeably expands hematopoietic stem cells. The HOXA9 gene is part of the A cluster on chromosome 7 and encodes a DNA-binding transcription factor which regulates gene expression, morphogenesis, and differentiation. HOXA9 is a sequence-specific transcription factor which is part of a developmental regulatory system, which provides cells with specific positional identities on the anterior-posterior axis. HOXA9 is essential for induction of E-selectin and VCAM-1, on the endothelial cells surface at sites of inflammation.

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).

The mammaglobin gene was first identified using a differential screening approach directed at the isolation of novel, human breast cancer-associated genes. Mammaglobin encodes a 10 kDa glycoprotein and is distantly relaetd to a family of epithelial secretory proteins that includes rat estramustine-binding protein/prostatein and human Clara cell 10 kDa protein (CC10)/uteroglobin. Mammaglobin, a mammary-specific member of the uterglobin family, is known to be overexpressed in human breast cancer. Studies suggest that mammaglobin is one of the first relatively mammary-specific and mammary-sensitive markers (85%). Mammaglobin may be valuable used in a panel with BRST-2 (GCDFP-15) and ER in evaluating tumors of unknown primary sites.
SCGB2A2 (the mammaglobin gene) is located on chromosome 11, at locus 11q13. SCGB2A2 is member of the secretoglobin superfamily of which is a group of small dimeric secreted and sometimes glycosylated proteins. Expressed mainly in mucosa, secretoglobins appear to be involved in cell signalling, immune response, chemotaxis, and might also serve as transporters for steroid hormones in humans.

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.

RND1 is a Rho-related GTPases that form a separate branch of the Rho family, since they are different in charge, size, and biochemical properties. RND1 is found in the activated GTP-bound form and performs as a negative regulator of actin assembly and of cell adhesion. RND1 assists in regulation of the organization of the actin cytoskeleton as a reaction to extracellular growth factors.