Search results

DARS uses a 2 step reaction to catalyze the specific attachment of an amino acid to its cognate tRNA: the amino acid (AA) is first activated by ATP to form AA-AMP and then transferred to the acceptor end of the tRNA.

DCTN2 is a 50kDa subunit of dynactin, which is a macromolecular complex consisting of 10-11 subunits ranging in size from 22 to 150 kDa. Dynactin binds to both microtubules and cytoplasmic dynein. Dynactin is involved in a various cellular functions, including ER-to-Golgi transport, the centripetal movement of lysosomes and endosomes, spindle formation, chromosome movement, nuclear positioning, and axonogenesis. The DCTN2 subunit is present in 4-5 copies per dynactin molecule. DCTN2 is comprised of 3 short alpha-helical coiled-coil domains which mediate association with self or other dynactin subunits. DCTN2 interacts directly with the largest subunit (p150) of dynactin and is able to affix p150 in place. DCTN2 modulates cytoplasmic dynein binding to an organelle, and plays a part in prometaphase chromosome alignment and spindle organization during mitosis. DCTN2 is involved in anchoring microtubules to centrosomes. DCTN2 has a role in synapse formation during brain development.

DDX39A which is a part of the DEAD box protein family is characterized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp. This pattern is implicated in a various cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly. Several members of the DEAD box protein family are taking part in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and cellular growth and division.

DEAD Box Protein 56 (DDX56) belongs to the DEAD box protein family. DEAD box proteins, categorized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp (DEAD), are putative RNA helicases. DEAD box proteins are implicated in several cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure such as translation initiation, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly. Based upon their distribution patterns, certain members of this family are assumed to be involved in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and cellular growth and division. DDX56 exhibits ATPase activity in the presence of polynucleotides and associates with nucleoplasmic 65S preribosomal particles.

Myosin is a hexameric ATPase cellular motor protein, which is composed of 2 heavy chains, 2 non-phosphorylatable alkali light chains, and 2 phosphorylatable regulatory light chains.
MYL1 gene encodes a myosin alkali light chain expressed in fast skeletal muscle. Two transcript variants have been identified for the MYL1 gene. In humans MYL1 is localized to chromosome 2q32.1-qter. The Myl1 locus encodes two alkali myosin light chains- Mlc1f and Mlc3f, from two promoters that are differentially regulated throughout development. The Mlc1f promoter is active in embryonic, fetal and adult fast skeletal muscle while the Mlc3f promoter is upregulated during fetal development and stays on in adult fast skeletal muscle.

SEPSECS catalyzes the last step of sec synthesis by way of converting O-phosphoseryl-tRNA(sec) to selenocysteinyl-tRNA(sec) using selenophosphate as the selenium donor. Furthermore, SEPSECS protein is considered a specific marker of autoimmune hepatitis.

DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 6 (DGCR6) shares homology with the Drosophila melanogaster gonadal protein, that participates in gonadal and germ cell development, and also with the gamma-1 subunit of human laminin. DGCR6 is involved in DiGeorge syndrome pathology and in schizophrenia.

Dynein light chain Tctex-type 1 (DYNLT1) is a member of the dynein light chain Tctex-type family. DYNLT1 is a dynein light chain involved in cargo binding. DYNLT1 acts as one of several non-catalytic accessory components of the cytoplasmic dynein 1 complex which are believed to be involved in linking dynein to cargos and to adapter proteins that regulate dynein function. Cytoplasmic dynein is a key motor protein complex responsible for minus-end, microtubule-based motile processes. Each dynein complex consists of two heavy chains which have ATPase and motor activities, as well as a group of accessory polypeptides.

Non muscle Myosins are required for cytokinesis at the end of cell division, when a contractile ring near the plasmalemma divides the cytoplasm of the daughter cells. They are involved in cytoplasmic streaming movements in tissues, and especially in activation of motile cells such as fibroblasts and macrophages. Activation of non-muscle myosin-II is achieved by phosphorylation of Ser33 in the motif KKRPQRATSN by a dedicated, Ca +2 Calmodulin regulated light chain kinase (MLCK).

NUDT5 is part of the nudix hydrolase family which remove toxic nucleotide derivatives from the cell. NUDT5 hydrolyzes ADP-ribose and ADP-mannose in the presence of magnesium, and in addition hydrolyzes nucleotide sugars with decreasing activity such as ADP-glucose and diadenosine diphosphate. As a nudix hydrolase, NUDT5 holds a central nudix motif and functions to eliminate toxic nucleotide metabolites from the cell while maintaining the levels of signaling nucleotides.
NUDT5 is broadly expressed but is most abundant in liver as a homodimer.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 11 (CCL11) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as eotaxin. CCL11 selectively recruits eosinophils by inducing their chemotaxis, and therefore, is implicated in allergic responses. The effects of CCL11 are mediated by its binding to a G-protein-linked receptor known as a chemokine receptor. Chemokine receptors for which CCL11 is a ligand include CCR2, CCR3 and CCR5. The gene for human CCL11 (scya11) is encoded on three exons and is located on chromosome 17.

Stratifin is part of the 14-3-3 family. The 14-3-3 family of proteins plays an important regulatory function in signal transduction, checkpoint control, apoptotic and nutrient-sensing pathways. 14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed. There are 7 isoforms, beta, gamma, epsilon, sigma, zeta, tau and eta that have been identified in mammals. Stratifin is an epithelial cell marker that functions as a tumor suppressor whose expression can be down regulated via methylation. Failure of Stratifin expression results in a defective G2/M phase checkpoint and results in epithelial and non-epithelial tumorigenesis.

Tachykinin-1 (TAC1) belongs to the tachykinin peptide hormone family. TAC1 are a family of peptides which have similar biologic activities and share a common C-terminal sequence, phe-X-gly-leu-met-NH2, however they have distinct N-terminal sequences that convey receptor specificities. TAC1 is assumed to act as neurotransmitters which interact with nerve receptors and smooth muscle cells. TAC1 induces behavioral responses and serves as vasodilators and secretagogues.

Tachykinin-3 belongs to the substance P-related tachykinin family. Tachykinins are active peptides that stimulate neurons, induce behavioral responses, are effective vasodilators and secretagogues, and contract (directly or indirectly) many smooth muscles. TAC3 and its receptor are essential switches of regulator of human puberty, regulated by the brain through the release of the GnRH which starts a chain of processes which eventually lead to the production of sex hormones.
During pregnancy, the expression of TAC3 is restricted to the outer syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta, significant concentrations of TAC3 can be identified in plasma as early as week 9, and plasma concentrations of TAC3 are grossly elevated in pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Higher Tachykinin-3 concentrations in normotensive pregnant women may be caused by the advanced gestational age and/or the result of a negative interaction of other vasoactive substances. TAC3 has a role in the continuance of high placental blood flow in normal pregnancy.

TIGAR is a p53-inducible enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of fructose-2-6 bisphosphate (F-2-6-BP) to fructose-6-phosphate and inorganic phosphate. F-2-6-BP is an influential activator of 6-phosphofructose-1 kinase (the rate limiting enzyme of glycolysis). By lowering the intracellular level of F-2-6-BP, TIGAR expression leads to increased glucose processing through the pentose phosphate pathway, the main cellular source for NADPH.

PDGF-BB is a member of the platelet-derived growth factor family. The four members of this family are mitogenic factors for cells of mesenchymal origin and are characterized by a motif of eight cysteines. This gene product can exist either as a homodimer (PDGF-BB) or as a heterodimer with the platelet-derived growth factor alpha polypeptide (PDGF-AB), where the dimers are connected by disulfide bonds. Mutations in this gene are associated with meningioma. Reciprocal translocations between chromosomes 22 and 7, at sites where this gene and that for COL1A1 are located, are associated with a particular type of skin tumor called dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans resulting from unregulated expression of growth factor. Two splice variants have been identified for this gene.

TCEA1 is a member of the TFS-II family. TCEA1 binds to Pol II and operates to cleave the emerging transcript, thus unlocking the complex and permitting transcription to continue. TCEA1 is localized to the nucleus and holds three independently-folding domains that are essential for accurate binding to Pol II. The arresting sites in are able to trap a certain segment of elongating RNA polymerases that goes through, causing in a locked ternary complex. Cleavage of the emerging transcript by S-II enables the renewal of elongation from the new 3'-terminus.

CAPSL is a calcium-binding protein holding two conserved calcium-binding motifs (EF-hands) which are found in a superfamily of calcium sensors and calcium signal modulators. In addition, the CAPSL gene is in the same linkage disequilibrium (LD) block as the IL7R gene and there is well known association between the CAPSL-IL7R locus and type 1 diabetes.

Capping Protein (Actin Filament) Muscle Z-Line, Alpha 2 also known as CAPZA2 belongs the F-actin capping protein alpha subunit family. It is the alpha subunit of the barbed-end actin binding protein Cap Z. By capping the barbed end of actin filaments, Cap Z regulates the growth of the actin filaments at the barbed end. Among the diseases associated with CAPZA2 are endocarditis, and cervicitis.

CBR1 is one of numerous monomeric, NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases having ubiquistly specificity for carbonyl compounds. CBR1 is broadly distributed in human tissues. CBR1 metabolizes toxic environmental quinones and pharmacological relevant substrates. CBR1 converts prostaglandin E2 to prostaglandin F2-alpha.

CBX1 is an enriched heterochromatin which belongs to the heterochromatin protein family. The centromeres related CBX1 identifies and binds histone H3 tails methylated at 'Lys-9', causing epigenetic repression. Collaboration with lamin B receptor (LBR) can impact the relations between the heterochromatin and the inner nuclear membrane. CBX1 has a vital part in the epigenetic control of chromatin structure and gene expression.

CBX3 takes part in transcriptional silencing in heterochromatin-like complexes. CBX3 identifies and binds histone H3 tails methylated at 'Lys-9', thereby create an epigenetic repression. Additionally, CBX3 takes part in the formation of functional kinetochore by interacting with MIS12 complex proteins.

CCND2 is a member of the highly conserved cyclin family, whose members are characterized by a dramatic periodicity in protein abundance through the cell cycle. Cyclins serve as regulators of CDK kinases. Various cyclins demonstrate distinct expression and degradation patterns which contribute to the temporal coordination of each mitotic event. CCND2 forms a complex with and acts as a regulatory subunit of CDK4 or CDK6, whose activity is vital for cell cycle G1/S transition. CCND2 interacts with and is involved in the phosphorylation of tumor suppressor protein Rb. High level expression of the CCND2 protein is observed in ovarian and testicular tumors. In addition, knockout studies of the homologous gene in mouse suggest the vital roles of the CCND2 gene in ovarian granulosa and germ cell proliferation.

Endothelial cells express three different vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, belonging to the family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They are named VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1), VEGFR-3 (Flt-4). Their expression is almost exclusively restricted to endothelial cells, but VEGFR-1 can also be found on monocytes, dendritic cells and on trophoblast cells. The flt-1 gene was first described in 1990. The receptor contains seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular splited tyrosine kinase domain. Compared to VEGFR-2 the Flt-1 receptor has a higher affinity for VEGF but a weaker signaling activity. VEGFR-1 thus leads not to proliferation of endothelial cells, but mediates signals for differentiation. Interestingly a naturally occuring soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) was found in HUVE supernatants in 1996, which is generated by alternative splicing of the flt-1 mRNA. The biological functions of sVEGFR-1 still are not clear, but it seems to be an endogenous regulator of angiogenesis, binding VEGF with the same affinity as the full-length receptor.