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CCL28 is part of the subfamily of small cytokine CC genes. CCL28 shows chemotactic activity for resting CD4 or CD8 T cells and eosinophils. CCL28 binds to chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR10. CCL28 is involved in the physiology of extracutaneous epithelial tissues, including diverse mucosal organs. CCL28 mediates mucosal immunity in HIV exposure and infection. CCL28 is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases.
Human CCL28 cDNA encodes a 127 amino acid residue precursor protein with a putative 22 amino acid residue signal peptide that is cleaved to produce the 105 amino acid residue mature protein. Human and mouse CCL28 are highly conserved, sharing 83% amino acid identity in their mature regions. CCL28 shares the most homology with CCL27/CTACK. Human and mouse CCL28 RNA expression was found to be highest in normal and pathologic colon with the protein being expressed by epithelial cells. Human CCL28 RNA was also present in normal and asthmatic lung tissues.

PINX1 is a common expressed protein that localizes to nucleoli and telomere speckles. PINX1 contains a Telomerase Inhibiting Domain that is caable of binding MCRS1, TERT and TERF1. PINX1 has been shown to be a potent telomerase inhibitor and putative tumor suppressor. PINX1 is recruited to chromosome periphery by Nucleolin, their complex is necessary for faithful chromosome congression. PINX1 regulates the nucleolar accumulation and telomeric association of TRF1. PINX1 is involved in gastric cancer development. PINX1 expression is a sign of gastric cancer development. Constitutive expression of PINX1 attributes to telomere maintenance by telomerase and tumorigenicity in cancer cells.

CD226 belongs to the Ig-superfamily containing 2 Ig-like domains of the V-set. CD226 is a 65kDa glycoprotein expressed on the surface NK cells, platelets, monocytes and a subset of T cells. CD226 facilitates cellular adhesion of platelets and megakaryocytic cells to vascular endothelial cells. CD226 also plays a role in megakaryocytic cell maturation.

CETN3 comprises of 4 EF-hand calcium binding domains, and is a part of the centrin protein family. CETN3 protein is widely expressed cytoskeletal components that demonstrate increased expression during cell differentiation. CETN3 takes part in centrosome reproduction.

CIAO1 is a vital component of the cytosolic iron-sulfur (Fe/S) protein assembly machinery. CIAO1 protein is required for the maturation of extra mitochondrial Fe/S proteins and seems to specifically modulate the trans-activation activity of WT1. CIAO1 participates in chromosome segregation as a part of the mitotic spindle-associated MMXD complex.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also called macrophage inflammatory protein 2-alpha (MIP2-alpha), Growth-regulated protein beta (Gro-beta) and Gro oncogene-2 (Gro-2). CXCL2 is 90% identical in amino acid sequence as a related chemokine, CXCL1. This chemokine is secreted by monocytes and macrophages and is chemotactic for polymorphonuclear leukocytes and hematopoietic stem cells. The gene for CXCL2 is located on human chromosome 4 in a cluster of other CXC chemokines. CXCL2 mobilizes cells by interacting with a cell surface chemokine receptor called CXCR2.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) is also known as "extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2" (ERK2). Two similar (85% sequence identity) protein kinases were originally called ERK1 and ERK2. They were found during a search for protein kinases that are rapidly phosphorylated after activation of cell surface tyrosine kinasessuch as the epidermal growth factor receptor. Phosphorylation of ERKs leads to the activation of their kinase activity.
The molecular events linking cell surface receptors to activation of ERKs are complex. It was found that RasGTP-binding proteins are involved in the activation of ERKs. Another protein kinase, Raf-1, was shown to phosphorylate a "MAPK kinase", thus qualifying as a "MAPK kinase kinase". The MAPK kinase was named "MAPK/ERK kinase" (MEK).
Receptor-linked tyrosine kinases, Ras, Raf, MEK and MAPK could be fitted into a signaling cascade linking an extracellular signal to MAPK activation.
Transgenic gene knockoutmice lacking MAPK1 have major defects in early development.

RAC2 is a small signaling G protein/GTPase which is part of the RAS superfamily of small GTP-binding proteins which regulate cell growth, actin cytoskeletal organization, cell proliferation, survival, cell cycle progression, gene transcription rgulation and the activation of protein kinases. RAC2 cycles between an active gtp-bound and inactive gdp-bound state. In active state, RAC2 binds to a variety of effector proteins to regulate cellular responses, such as secretory processes, phagocytose of apoptotic cells and epithelial cell polarization. RAC2 is involved in the regulation of the nadph oxidase.

Ras-related protein Ral-A (RALA) is a member of the small GTPase superfamily, Ras family of proteins. RALA mediates a distinct downstream signaling pathway from Ras which facilitates cellular transformation. Furthermore, RALA is thought to be involved in various signaling cascades, including regulation of the cytoskeleton, vesicle trafficking, and endocytosis.

MDC (CCL22) is a small cytokine that belongs to the CC chemokine family. CCL22 is one of several Cys-Cys (CC) cytokine genes clustered on the q arm of chromosome 16. MDC shows chemotactic activity for natural killer cells, chronically activated T lymphocytes, monocytes and dendritic cells. On the other hand, MDC shows a mild activity for primary activated T lymphocytes and has no chemoattractant activity for neutrophils, eosinophils and resting T lymphocytes. MDC may also have a role in the trafficking of activated T lymphocytes to inflammatory sites and other aspects of activated T lymphocyte physiology. MDC interacts with cell surface chemokine receptors CCR4.
CCL22 is vastly expressed in macrophage and in monocyte-derived dendritic cells, and thymus. CCL22 is also found in the lymph node, appendix, activated monocytes, resting and activated macrophages. Lower expression of CCL22 can be seen in the lung and the spleen and very weak expression in the small intestine. In the lymph node CCL22 is expressed in a mature subset of Langerhans' cells (CD1a+ and CD83+).
Furthermore, CCL22 is expressed in atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis skin, and psoriasis, in both the epidermis and dermis. In addition, MDC has a role in hindering progression of lung cancer. Moreover, significantly higher CCL22 expression is linked to gastric cancer.

Casein kinase 2 subunit alpha (CSNK2A2) controls numerous cellular processes, such as cell cycle progression, apoptosis and transcription, as well as viral infection. CSNK2A2 protein functions as a regulatory node which integrates and coordinates numerous signals leading to an appropriate cellular response.

Cystatins are a superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in both plants and animals. They comprise a group of proteinase inhibitors, widely distributed in tissues and body fluids, and form tight complexes with cysteine proteases such as cathepsin B, H, L and S. Cystatin C, a secreted molecule of this family, is of interest from biochemical, medicine and evolutionary points of view. Cystatin C, with molecular weight of 13260 Da, is composed of 120 amino acids, lacks carbohydrate and has two disulfide bridges located near the carboxyl terminus. Cystatin C is increased in patients with malignant diseases, and is related to the insufficiency of renal function and appears to be a better marker than creatinine. On the other hand, low levels of cystatin C involve cause the breakdown of the elastic laminae and, subsequently, the atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor (CNTFR) is a member of the type I cytokine receptor family and binds to CNTF. The alpha subunit provides the receptor specificity. Sole nucleotide polymorphisms in CNTFR has been associated with variations in muscle strength, in addition to early onset of eating disorders.

Decorin (DCN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which is closely related in structure to biglycan protein. Decorin is a secreted protein which binds to collagen and fibronectin in extracellular matrix. Decorin appears in different glycoforms, substituted with chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate consistent with the original tissue. DCN contains one attached glycosaminoglycan chain. Decorin influences the rate of fibril formation. Decorin is capable of suppressing the growth of various tumor cell lines. DCN gene defects cause corneal dystrophy. The DCN gene is a candidate gene for Marfan syndrome.

BRCA2 And CDKN1A Interacting Protein (BCCIP) is a nuclear protein with multiple interacting domains which remained conserved throughout the evolution. BCCIP is an important cofactor for BRCA2 in tumor suppression, and a modulator of CDK2 kinase activity via p21. BCCIP takes also part in the regulation of BRCA2 and RAD51 nuclear focus formation, doublestrand break-induced homologous recombination, and cell cycle progression.

B-cell CLL/lymphoma 7C (BCL7C) is identified by the likeness of its product to the N-terminal region of BCL7A protein. The BCL7A protein is encoded by the gene which is directly involved in a three-way gene translocation in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line. The function of the BCL7C gene has not been determined yet.

TIMP1 is a member of the TIMP family. TIMP1 is an inducible glycoprotein produced by various cell types. The TIMP1 glycoprotein is a natural inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinases, which a group of peptidases involved in degradation of the extracellular matrix. TIMP1 binds in a reversible mode to MMPs, with regions in the N-terminal domain binding to the MMP substrate-binding site. On top of its inhibitory function against most of the known MMPs, TIMP1 is able to promote cell proliferation in a broad range of cell types, and may also have an anti-apoptotic role. Furthermore, TIMP1 has erthyroid-potentiating activity via translocation to the nucleus and also inhibits apoptosis in B-cells. The TIMP1 gene is situated within intron 6 of the synapsin I gene and is transcribed in the opposite direction. TIMP1 activity is dependent on the existence of disulfide bonds. TIMP1 transcription is extremely inducible in reaction to many cytokines and hormones. Increased TIMP1 levels are connecte

CD226 belongs to the Ig-superfamily containing 2 Ig-like domains of the V-set. CD226 is a 65kDa glycoprotein expressed on the surface NK cells, platelets, monocytes and a subset of T cells. CD226 facilitates cellular adhesion of platelets and megakaryocytic cells to vascular endothelial cells. CD226 also plays a role in megakaryocytic cell maturation.

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a ligand molecule which induces apoptosis. It is a type II transmembrane protein with homology to other members of the tumor necrosis factor family.
In humans, the gene that encodes for TRAIL is located at chromosome 3q26.
TRAIL binds to the death receptors, DR4 and DR5. The process of apoptosis is caspase-8-dependent. This protein preferentially induces apoptosis in transformed and tumor cells, but does not appear to kill normal cells although it is expressed at a significant level in most normal tissues.

Parathymosin, also known as PTMS is a member of the pro/parathymosin family. PTMS may mediate immune function by blocking the effect of prothymosin alpha which confers resistance to particular opportunistic infections. Among the diseases associated with PTMS are hepatitis b, and alzheimer's disease.

Canopy FGF Signaling Regulator 4 (CNPY4) is a part of the canopy family which owns one saposin B-type domain. CNPY4 takes part in the regulation process of the cell surface expression of TLR4.

CRYGD is a member of the beta/gamma-crystallin family. Crystallins are the principal structural components of the vertebrate eye lens. The mammalian lens crystallins are divided into alpha, beta, and gamma families. Gamma-crystallins are involved in cataract formation. Defects in the CRYGD gene are responsible for cataract autosomal dominant (ADC), cataract congenital non-nuclear polymorphic autosomal dominant (CCP), cataract congenital cerulean type 3 (CCA3) and cataract crystalline aculeiform (CACA).