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Btc is a potent mitogen for retinal pigment epithelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. The effects of betacellulin are probably mediated by the egf receptor and other related receptors.

Persephin is a member of the GDNF ligand subfamily of the TGF-beta superfamily. PSPN encourages the existence and growth of key dopaminergic and motor neurons, as well as taking part in kidney development. Nonetheless, persephin does not support existence of peripheral neurons.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. As its name implies, VEGF activity has been mostly studied on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g. stimulation monocyte/ macrophagemigration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ). VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesisand cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.
Elevated levels of this protein are linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

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.

Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor, Clade A Member 8 (SERPINA8), which is a pre-angiotensinogen or angiotensinogen precursor, is expressed in the liver and cleaved by the enzyme renin in response to lowered blood pressure. The ensuing product, angiotensin I, is at that point cleaved by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) to produce the physiologically active enzyme angiotensin II. SERPINA8 protein is involved in maintaining blood pressure and in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension and preeclampsia. SERPINA8 gene mutations are linked with susceptibility to essential hypertension, and may cause renal tubular dysgenesis, which is a severe disorder of renal tubular development. Defects in the SERPINA8 gene are also linked with non-familial structural atrial fibrillation, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Serum-and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase and a member of the “AGC” subfamily, which includes protein kinases A, G, and C. The SGK1 protein has an imperative role in activating specific potassium, sodium and chloride channels, suggesting a participation in the regulation of processes such as cell survival, neuronal excitability, and renal sodium excretion. SGK1 is activated in vitro by PDK-1 (3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1) and in vivo in reaction to signals which activate phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase.

Hyaluronidase-1 or HYAL1 is a protein, part of the endolytic glycoside hydrolase proteins group. Human hyaluronidases proteins, are 5 endo­β­N­acetyl­hexosaminidases (including HYAL1, HYAL2, HYAL3). Hyaluronidase-1 causes degradation to hyaluronic acid in the extracellular matrix of somatic tissues. HYAL1 needs an acidic environment and is the most common hyaluronidase in the plasma. Mutations in this protein can lead to mucopolysaccharidosis type IX and hyaluronidase deficiency.

Oncomodulin is a member of the superfamily of calmodulin proteins, otherwise known as the EF-hand proteins. It is a high-affinity calcium ion-binding protein. Oncomodulin is an oncodevelopmental protein which is found in early embryonic cells in the placenta and also in tumors.

TIE-1 (tyrosine kinase with Ig and EGF homology domains 1) and TIE-2/Tek comprise a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) subfamily with unique structural characteristics: two immunoglobulin-like domains flanking three epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains and followed by three fibronectin type III-like repeats in the extracellular region and a split tyrosine kinase domain in the cytoplasmic region. These receptors are expressed primarily on endothelial and hematopoietic progenitor cells and play critical roles in angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and hematopoiesis. Human TIE-1 cDNA encodes a 1122 amino acid (aa) residue precursor protein with an 18 residue putative signal peptide, a 726 residue extracellular domain and a 353 residue cytoplasmic domain. Two ligands, angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), which bind TIE-2 with high-affinity have been identified. Ang2 has been reported to act as an antagonist for Ang1. Mice engineered to overexpress Ang2 or to lack Ang1 or Tie-1 display similar angiogenic defects.

THO Complex 7, also known as THOC7, is a component of the THO subcomplex of the TREX complex which couples mRNA transcription, processing and nuclear export, and which related to spliced mRNA. THOC7 is a protein coding gene which is essential for export of polyadenylated RNA. Furthermore, THOC7 is associated with RNA transport.

Fractalkine soluble form is chemotactic for t-cells and monocytes, but not for neutrophils. Fractalkine membrane-bound form promotes adhesion of those leukocytes to endothelial cells. Fractalkine regulates leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium and binds to CX3CR1. Natural Human Fractalkine is produced as a long protein (373-amino acid) with an extended mucin-like stalk and a chemokine domain on top. The mucin-like stalk permits it to bind to the cell surface. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

Polcalcin Aln g 4 (Aln G 4.0101) causes an allergic reaction in humans.

Collagen, a major component of the extracellular matrix, is a fibrous protein that provides tensile strength to tissues giving them structural integrity. Collagen and its derivative, gelatin, have been widely used in medical, pharmaceutical and consumer products for more than 100 years. The supply of these materials, created from animal remains, is both abundant and inexpensive. However, most formulations are not highly purified and have the potential to cause an inflammatory reaction in some product users. In addition, concerns have been raised over the last several years about the potential for contamination of bovine products with the agent that causes mad cow disease and its human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Animal collagens are subject to extensive modifications that continue over the life of the molecule in the extracellular space. These differences influence both the extractability of collagens from tissue and the biophysical characteristics of these collagens. As a result, collagens isolated from tissues exhibit significant lot-to-lot variability and, as bulk materials, are often analytically intractable. Products that contain animal-derived collagen can induce potentially harmful inflammatory or immune responses in humans and pose risk of contamination with viruses or prions, potentially life-threatening pathogens. Recombinant collagens are essentially identical to the native collagen protein thereby reducing the risk of inflammation, immune response, and disease as compared to animal-sourced collagen.

Ang K1-3 is a proteolytic fragment of plasminogen containing the first three kringle structures. A specific inhibitor of endothelial cell growth and angiogenesis. More active relative to kringles 1-4. Ang K1-3 reduces endothelial cell proliferation and acts as a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis and tumor growth.

Cytokeratin 14 is a member of the keratin family, the most diverse group of intermediate filaments. Cytokeratin 14 is a type I keratin, is usually found as a heterotetramer with two keratin 5 molecules, a type II keratin. Together they form the cytoskeleton of epithelial cells. Mutations in the genes for these keratins are associated with epidermolysis bullosa simplex. At least one pseudogene has been identified at 17p12-p11.

Type 1 cystatins are also called stefins which function as intracellular thiol protease inhibitors. Cystatin-B protein is able to form a dimer stabilized by noncovalent forces, inhibiting papain and cathepsins l, h and b. CSTB protein protects proteases leakage from lysosomes. Mutations in Stefin-B gene cause primary defects in patients with progressive myoclonic epilepsy (EPM1), a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. CSTB is overexpressed & elevated in the serum of HCC patients. Cystatin-B in vivo has a polymeric structure which is sensitive to the redox environment. Cystatin-B inhibits bone resorption by down-regulating intracellular cathepsin K activity despite increased osteoclast survival. Protein and mRNA levels of stefin B are significantly lower in atypical benign meningiomas. Stefins-A & Stefin-B which belong to the type-1 Cystatins, are up-regulated in lung tumours and thus able to counteract harmful tumour-associated proteolytic activity. Human stefin-A & Stefin-B form amyloid fibrils. Copper binding by stefin-B reduces amyloid fibril formation. A number of alternatively spliced CSTB isoforms were recognized in patients with progressive myoclonus epilepsy. Decreased CSTB activity in EPM1 pathogenesis is controled by cathepsins through increased activity of cathepsin-S & cathepsin-L.

HES7 belongs to the Hairy and enhancer of split family of bHLH transcription factors. The mouse ortholog of the HES7 is set by Notch signaling. The protein serves as a transcriptional repressor, and is involved in correct patterning of the axial skeleton. A mutation in HES7 has been shown to result in spondylocostal dysostosis. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been discovered for HES7.

Bone Morphogenetic protein-8b (BMP8B) belongs to a family of secreted signaling molecules which can induce ectopic bone growth. BMP8B is known for having a possible bone inductive activity as it is related to BMP5 and BMP7. BMP8B is the osteoinductive factor accountable for epithelial osteogenesis.

Pleckstrin Homology Domain Containing Family F Member 2, also known as PLEKHF2, contains 1 FYVE-type zinc finger and 1 PH domain. PLEKHF2 takes part in early endosome fusion upstream of RAB5, regulates receptor trafficking and fluid-phase transport. PLEKHF2 increases cellular sensitivity to TNF-induced apoptosis.

Chloride channels are various group of proteins that control fundamental cellular processes including stabilization of cell membrane potential, transepithelial transport, regulation of intracellular pH, and maintenance of cell volume. CLIC1 is part of the p64 family and is localized to the cell nucleus. CLIC1 displays both nuclear and plasma membrane chloride ion channel activity. CLIC1 inserts into membranes and forms chloride ion channels. CLIC1 channel activity depends on the pH. CLIC1 membrane insertion is redox-regulated and happens under oxydizing conditions.

RELM-gamma is a novel member of the resistin-like molecule/found in inflammatory zone (RELM/FIZZ) family in mice and rats. Microarray and real-time RT-PCR experiments revealed a repression of RELMgamma mRNA in nasal respiratory epithelium of cigarette smoke-exposed versus untreated rats. The analysis of the physiological tissue-specific expression revealed highest expression in hematopoietic tissues, suggesting a cytokine-like role for RELM-gamma. RELM-gamma-mRNA is detectable in bone marrow, spleen, and lung as well as in peripheral blood granulocytes. Promyelocytic HL60 cells transfected with a RELM-gamma expression plasmid have an increased proliferation rate compared to mock-transfected cells and display an altered response to retinoic acid-induced granulocytic differentiation. Taken together, these data provide the first experimental evidence that RELM-gamma is a secreted molecule with a restricted expression pattern that may play a role in promyelocytic differentiation.

Relaxin-3 (RLN3) belongs to the relaxin family. Relaxins are endocrine and autocrine/paracrine hormones. Relaxin, which is produced by the ovary, targets the mammalian reproductive system to ripen the cervix, elongate the pubic symphysis and inhibit uterine contraction. Unlike human Relaxins 1 and 2, Relaxin 3 does not seem to have a role in reproduction; however it is involved in stress response in the brain stem. RLN3 is the only known ligand for the G-protein-coupled receptor GPCR135, titled RXFP3. In addition, RLN3 binds the LGR7 (RXFP1) receptor, however with lower affinity than Relaxin-2. Even though binding of RLN3 to LGR7 increases intracellular cAMP, binding to GPCR135 suppresses cAMP accumulation, indicating coupling to Gi, Go, or Gz by this receptor.

HBsAg is the surface antigenof the Hepatitis-B-Virus (HBV). The capsidof a virus has different surface proteins from the rest of the virus. The antigen is a protein that binds specifically on one of these surface proteins. It is commonly referred to as the Australian Antigen.

Streptavidin is a tetrameric protein secreted by Streptomyces avidinii which binds firmly to biotin. Streptavidin is wilyde used in molecular biology through its unique high affinity for the vitamin biotin. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the biotin-streptavidin complex is about ~10-15 mol/L. The strong affinity recognition of biotin and biotinylated molecules has made streptavidin one of the most important components in diagnostics and laboratory kits. The streptavidin/biotin system has one of the biggest free energies of association of yet observed for noncovalent binding of a protein and small ligand in aqueous solution (K_assoc = 10**14). The complexes are also extremely stable over a wide range of temperature and pH.