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BDNF promotes the survival of neuronal populations that are all located either in the central nervous system or directly connected to it. BDNF is a major regulator of synaptic transmission and plasticity at adult synapses in many regions of the cns. The versatility of BDNF is emphasized by its contribution to a range of adaptive neuronal responses including long-term potentiation (ltp), long-term depression (ltd), certain forms of short-term synaptic plasticity, as well as homeostatic regulation of intrinsic neuronal excitability.

The 14-3-3 family of proteins plays a key regulatory role in signal transduction, checkpoint control, apoptotic and nutrient-sensing pathways. 14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed. There are at least seven isoforms, β, γ, ε, σ, ζ, τ and η that have been identified in mammals. The 14-3-3 epsilon, a subtype of the 14-3-3 family of proteins, was thought to be brain and neuron-specific. It has been shown to interact with CDC25 phosphatases, RAF1 and IRS1 proteins, suggesting its role in diverse biochemical activities related to signal transduction, such as cell division and regulation of insulin sensitivity. It has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of small cell lung cancer.

Signal-transducing adaptor protein 1 (STAP1) acts as a docking protein which operates downstream of Tec tyrosine kinase in B cell antigen receptor signaling. The STAP1 protein is directly phosphorylated by Tec in vitro where it partakes in a positive feedback loop, increasing Tec activity.

The PARK7 is a ubiquitously expressed protein involved in various cellular processes including spermatogenesis and fertilization, cancer, RNA-binding, androgen-receptor signaling and oxidative stress. Mutations in the PARK7 are the cause of autosomal recessive early-onset Parkinson’s disease 7 (Park7).

Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 2 (LAIR2) is a secreted, 131 amino acids protein which contains one IglikeC2 type domain, rendering it a member of the Ig superfamily. Even though one is secreted and one is membrane bound, the 2 LAIR proteins are assumed to have evolved from a common gene ancestor and seem to share similar adhesion profiles, suggesting that LAIR2 may compete with LAIR1 for ligand binding. LAIR2 was discovered by its similarity to LAIR1, which is an inhibitory receptor present on mononuclear leukocytes. The LAIR2 gene maps to a region of 19q13.4, dubbed the leukocyte receptor cluster, which contains 29 genes in the immunoglobulin superfamily, including LAIR1. The function of the LAIR2 protein is unknown, though it is assumed to be secreted and may help modulate mucosal tolerance.

Cluster of Differentiation 244 (CD244/Natural Killer Cell Receptor 2B4) contains 2 Ig-like (immunoglobulin-like) domains. CD244 is a cell surface receptor expressed on natural killer (NK) cells (and some T cells) which mediate non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restricted killing. NK-cell and target cells interaction via the CD244 receptor is believed to modulate NK-cell cytolytic activity. CD244 molecules function in eosinophil adhesion and chemotaxis, and have a role in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis (AR).

RAC1 is a GTPase which belongs to the RAS superfamily of small GTP-binding proteins. Members of this superfamily appear to regulate a diverse array of cellular events, including the control of cell growth, cytoskeletal reorganization, and the activation of protein kinases. RAC-1 regulates the actin cytoskeleton but also other cellular processes. RAC1 have been shown to be involved in the regulation of cell-cell adhesion.

PLAUR is one of 2 activators which convert the extracellular zymogen plasminogen to plasmin, a serine protease involved in a various normal and pathological processes that require cell migration and/or tissue destruction. PLAUR protein is synthesized and released from cells as a single-chain proenzyme with narrow enzymatic activity and is converted to an active two-chain disulfide-linked active enzyme by plasmin and other specific proteinases.

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptors are a family of transmembrane serine/threonine kinases that include the type I receptors BMPR1A and BMPR1B and the type II receptor BMPR2. These receptors are also closely related to the receptors, ACVR1 and ACVR2. The ligands of these receptors are members of the TGF-beta superfamily. TGF-betas transduce their signals through the formation of heteromeric complexes with 2 different types of serine (threonine) kinase receptors: type I receptors of about 50-55 kD and type II receptors of about 70-80 kD. Type II receptors bind ligands in the absence of type I receptors, but they require their respective type I receptors for signaling, whereas type I receptors require their respective type II receptors for ligand binding.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 8 (TNFRSF8) is a receptor for TNFSF8/CD30L. TNFRSF8 has a role in the regulation of cellular growth and transformation of activated lymphoblasts. In addition, the TNFRSF8 protein regulates gene expression via activation of NF-kappa-B. TNFRSF8 being a regulator of apoptosis, induces cell death or proliferation, depending on the cell type.

GNAI3 is a member of the G-alpha family and G (i/o/t/z) subfamily which act as modulators or transducers in several transmembrane signaling systems. G(k) is the stimulatory G protein of receptor-regulated K+ channels. The active GTP-bound form inhibits the connotation of RGS14 with centrosomes and is essential for the translocation of RGS14 from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. GNAI3 takes part in cell division and is known to cooperate with RIC8A, S1PR1, RGS5, RGS10, RGS12, RGS14, RGS16, RGS18, and RGS19.

TRAF Family Member-Associated NFKB Activator (TANK) is located in the cytoplasm and binds Either TRAF1, TRAF2 or TRAF3. TANK is an inhibitor of TRAF function which regulates TRAF protein activity via sequestering TRAFs in a dormant position in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of TANK, inhibits TRAF2-mediated NF-Kappa-B activation signaled by CD40 and both TNF receptors and also inhibits LMP1-mediated NFkappa-B activation by blocking the connection of TRAF2 with LMP1.

TNFAIP8 which is a part of the TNFAIP8 family acts as a negative mediator of apoptosis and takes part in tumor progression. TNFAIP8 suppresses the TNF-mediated apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-8 activity but not the processing of procaspase-8, resulting in inhibition of BID cleavage and activation of caspase-3.

TNFR2 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR2 is receptor with high affinity for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and approximately 5-fold lower affinity for homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha. TNFR2 mediates the majority of the metabolic effects of TNF-alpha. In addition, knockout studies in mice propose a role for TNFR2 in protecting neurons from apoptosis by stimulating antioxidative pathways. TNFR2 expression might have a significant role in the angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and metastasis of Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast.
There are 2 types of soluble TNF receptors: sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II, which act to neutralize the biological activities of TNF alpha and TNF beta. The levels of these soluble receptors seem to increase as a result of shedding of the extracellular domains of the membrane bound receptors. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women. TNFR2 and TNFR1 form a heterocomplex which mediates the recruitment of 2 anti-apoptotic proteins, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2, which possess E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. IAPs’ function in TNF-receptor signaling is unknown; nevertheless, c-IAP1 is believed to potentiate TNF-induced apoptosis by the ubiquitination and degradation of TNF-receptor-associated factor 2, which mediates anti-apoptotic signals. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.

Leucine Rich Repeat And Ig Domain Containing 1, also known as Lingo1 is primarily expressed in neuronal tissue, and most abundantly in the cortex. In addition, Lingo 1 is involved in the inhibition of axon regeneration all the way through a ternary complex formed with NgR1 (ligand-binding subunit) and p75 (signal transducing subunit). The inhibitory action is accomplished through RhoA-GTP upregulation in response to the presence of MOG, MAG or Nogo-66 in the central nervous system. Furthermore, LINGO-1 inhibits oligodendrocyte precursor differentiation as well as myelination, by a mechanism which also involves activation of RhoA, however it appears that it does not require 75 or NgR1.

GFP, also known as Green Fluorescent Protein, is a protein produced by the jellyfish (Aequorea Victoria) that produces bioluminescence in the green zone of the noticeable spectrum. Green Fluorescent Protein is a useful and ubiquitous instrument for producing chimeric proteins, where it functions as a fluorescent protein tag. GFP is expressed in most known cell types and is used as a noninvasive fluorescent marker in living cells and organisms. Green Fluorescent Protein permits a broad range of applications where it has functioned as a cell lineage tracer, reporter of gene expression, or as a measure of protein-protein interactions. Enhanced GFP (eGFP) has F64L and S65T mutations, which make GFP show increased fluorescence and fold more efficiently under 370.

The IL-6 receptor complex is composed of two membrane glycoproteins: the low affinity receptor and the signaltransducing component. The soluble form of IL6R is found in the urine of healthy adult humans and the serum of HIV positive individuals, as well as in the cell culture supernatants of stimulated PBMC’s. This soluble form of IL6R results from either proteolytic cleavage from the membrane, or an isoform derived splice variant.

SPRY domain-containing SOCS box protein 1 (SPSB1) belongs to the SOCS box protein subfamily. SPSB1 includes a central SPRY domain and a C-terminal SOCS box. Even though, some of the SOCS protein subfamilies function as adaptors for a large family of ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligases to regulate certain signaling pathways, the function of the SSB subfamily remains to be determined. SPSB1 may have an imperative role in enhancing the HGF-induced Erk-Elk-1-SRE pathway. SPSB1 overexpression exhibited no effect on the basal level or epidermal growth factor-induced SRE-luciferase activity.

SLAMF1 is a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily and is involved in T-cell stimulation. The SLAMF1 protein is constitutively expressed on peripheral blood memory T cells, T-cell clones, immature thymocytes, and a fraction of B cells, and is swiftly induced on naive T cells after activation. There are probably 2 modes of SLAM signaling: one in which the inhibitor SH2D1A serves as a negative regulator and another in which protein-tyrosine phosphatase 2C (PTPN11)-dependent signal transduction functions.

PA2G4 belongs to the peptidase M24C family and functions as an RNA-binding protein involved in cellular proliferation and differentiation processes. PA2G4 is a component of pre-ribosomal ribonucleoprotein complexes, participating in ribosome assembly and regulating the later steps of rRNA processing. Also, PA2G4 interacts with ErbB-3 and may function as a modulator of the ErbB-3 mediated signal transduction pathway by regulating the effects of Neuregulin-1. Furthermore, PA2G4 is a transcriptional co-repressor of androgen receptor-regulated genes and other cell cycle regulatory genes through its interactions with histone deacetylases. PA2G4 is implicated in growth inhibition and the induction of differentiation of human cancer cells. In addition, PA2G4 mediates cap-independent translation of specific viral IRESs (internal ribosomal entry site). PA2G4 associates with 28S, 18S and 5.8S mature rRNAs, several rRNA precursors and probably U3 small nucleolar RNA.

Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TACSTD2), is a member of to the EPCAM family. TACSTD2 is an intronless gene which encodes a carcinoma-associated antigen. TACSTD2 may act as a growth factor receptor and as a cell surface receptor that transduces calcium signals. Mutations of TACSTD2 have been associated with gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy.

Basic Leucine Zipper Transcription Factor ATF-Like 3 (BATF3) which is localizes to the nucleus, contains 1 bZIP domain. BATF3 functions as a negative regulator of AP-1-mediated transcription when interacting with c-Jun, particularly by heterodimerizing with c-Jun and binding to DNA response elements. BATF3 also takes part in repression of interleukin-2.

SORBS3 is an SH3 domain-containing adaptor protein. The existence of SH3 domains in the SORBS3 protein have a role in its capability to attach to other cytoplasmic molecules and contribute to cystoskeletal organization, cell adhesion and migration, signaling, and gene expression. Various transcript variants encoding different isoforms are known for this gene.

GNG4 belongs to a multigene family and is involved in defining the specificity of receptor-G protein interaction. In mammals, G protein alpha, beta and gamma polypeptides are encoded by no less than 16, 4 and 7 genes, respectively. It is a well-known fact that different G protein complexes expressed in different tissues carry structurally distinct members of the alpha beta and gamma subunits and that privileged connotation between members of subunit families rise G protein functional diversity.