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Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein present in fetal digestive-tract tissues; it’s involved in cell adhesion. The production of CEA stops before birth. CEA is called tumor marker since its elevated levels are found in the serum from individuals with colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, lung and breast carcinomas and in heavy smokers.
There are also benign conditions that elevate CEA levels such as smoking, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and some benign tumors (in the equivalent organs which have cancers with elevated CEA). Typically, higher levels of CEA are found in men, smokers, and older individuals.
The presence of CEA assists in screening, in evaluating recurrent or disseminated disease, and in determining the success of surgical removal of malignant tumors.
CEA levels can be used as indicators of treatment success. The normal values range from 0.0 to 2.5 ng/ml of serum (from blood), in non-smokers, a greater amount than that may be suggestive of cancer. Levels above 20 ng/ml before treatment are associated with cancer which has already metastasized. Benign conditions do not usually cause a CEA increase over 10 ng/ml.
The high levels of CEA should return to normal after successful therapy, however if during follow up there’s an elevation in CEA levels it indicates a recurrence of tumor.
Carcinoembryonic antigen family belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily; it consists of 29 genes, 18 of which are normally expressed.

Grancalcin is calcium-binding protein which is particularly abundant in human neutrophils. GCA is a member of the penta EF-hand (PEF) subfamily of EF-hand proteins, who also comprises calpain, sorcin, peflin, and ALG-2. GCA undergoes essential conformational changes upon binding of calcium, which subsequently exposes hydrophobic amino acid residues, that direct the protein to hydrophobic surfaces. GCA cooperates with L-plastin, a protein known to have actin bundling activity, which suggests that GCA has a part in the regulation of neutrophils adhesion.

NDK (Nucleoside diphosphate kinase) exists as a hexamer composed of 'A' (encoded by NME1) and 'B' (encoded by NME2) isoforms. NME1 is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and development, signal transduction, G protein-coupled receptor endocytosis, and gene expression. It also has tumor metastasis-suppressive capacity. NME1 has a key role in the synthesis of nucleoside triphosphates other than ATP. NME1 is essential for neural development including neural patterning and cell future determination.
The NME1 gene is expressed in various tumor types where its levels have been alternatively linked to reduced or increased metastatic potential.
Decrease in NME1 expression is notably connected to aggressive behavior in melanoma, breast, colon, and gastric carcinomas. In contrast, elevated levels of NME1 gene expression are noted in the advanced stage of thyroid carcinomas.
Somatic mutations of the NME1 gene are found in neuroblastoma. Increased NME1 in neuroblastoma is linked to features of the disease that are associated with aggressive tumors.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 11 (CXCL11) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokinen family. I-TAC is highly expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes, pancreas and liver, with moderate levels in thymus, spleen and lung and low expression levels were in small intestine, placenta and prostate. Gene expression of CXCL11 is strongly induced by IFN-g and IFN-b, and weakly induced by IFN-a. The I-TACchemokine elicits its effects on its target cells by interacting with the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR3, with a higher affinity than do the other ligands for this receptor, CXCL9 and CXCL10. I-TAC is chemotactic for activated T cells.The CXCL11 gene is located on human chromosome 4 along with many other members of the CXC chemokine family.

SNTN is a member of to the S-100 family. SNTN is localized solely to the bridging structure between the cell membrane and peripheral singlet microtubules that specifically exists in the narrowed distal portion of cilia. Exogenously expressed sentan displayed affinity for the membrane protrusions, and a protein-lipid binding assay discovered that sentan bounds to phosphatidylserine which indicate that sentan is the leading molecular component of the ciliary tip to link the cell membrane and peripheral singlet microtubules, making the distal portion of the cilia narrow and stiff to permit better airway approval or ovum transport.

FABP1 (Fatty acid binding protein1) encodes the fatty acid binding protein found in liver. FABP1 is composed of ten antiparallel beta strands that form a barrel with a bigger binding pocket than the other FABPs allowing it to accommodate two fatty acid. This protein binds free fatty acids and their coenzyme A derivatives, bilirubin, and some other small molecules in the cytoplasm; it may be involved in intracellular lipid transport and metabolism.

Arfaptin 2 (ARFIP2) is a Rac1 binding protein essential for Rac-mediated actin polymerization and the succeeding formation of membrane ruffles and lamellipodia. ARFIP2 is a putative target protein of ADP-ribosylation factor. ARFIP2 is also involved in membrane ruffling. ARFIP2 expression is increased at sites of neurodegeneration. In addition, ARFIP2 interacts with the ADP ribosylation factor ARF6, a GTPase which associates with the plasma membrane and intracellular endosome vesicles, in a GTP dependent mode. Furthermore, Arfaptin 2 controls the aggregation of mutant Huntingtin protein by weakening proteasome function.

Syntaxin-1, synaptobrevin, and SNAP25 cooperate to form the SNARE complex, which is needed for synaptic vesicle docking and fusion SNPH is a neuron-specific protein originally characterized as a binding partner of syntaxin-1. SNPH participates with SNAP25 for the binding to Syntaxin-1 and prevents the construction of the SNARE core complex, thus manageling free syntaxin-1 availability for the assembly of the SNARE complex and potentially regulating synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Expression Syntaphilin appears to be brain-specific. SNPH is an inhibitor of both SNARE-based fusion and dynamin-mediated endocytosis.

LRRC59 controls nuclear import of exogenous FGF1 by enabling interaction with the nuclear import mechanism and by transporting cytosolic FGF1 to and through the nuclear pores. LRRC59 is essential for nuclear import of FGF1, but not that of FGF2.

RAP2A belongs to the RAS oncogene family and a Ras-like small G protein. The RAP2A protein shares 60% identity with Rap1A and exhibits a carboxy-terminal CAAX motif and 2 upstream cysteines similar to those of the H-Ras, K-Ras and N-Ras proteins. In contrast with Rap1A and Rap1B, overexpression of RAP2A doesn’t obstruct the Ras signaling pathway.

RPA-interacting protein isoform d (RPAIN) is a single-stranded-DNA binding protein which participates in various eukaryotic DNA processes such as replication, repair and recombination. RPAIN interacting protein has been indicated as an adapter protein that is involved in RPA nuclear import instead of the prototypical importin proteins that normally mediate nuclear import. RPAIN is mainly expressed in pancreas, kidney, muscle, liver, lung, placenta, brain, heart, leukocytes, colon, intestine, ovary, testis, prostate, thymus and spleen.

Inositol monophosphatase 3 (IMPAD1) belongs to the inositol monophosphatase family. IMPAD1 is restricted to the Golgi apparatus and catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphoadenosine phosphate (PAP) to adenosine monophosphate (AMP). IMPAD1 gene mutations cause the GRAPP type chondrodysplasia with joint dislocations, and a pseudogene of the IMPAD1 gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 1.

SERPINH1 is part of the serpin superfamily of serine proteinase inhibitors. SEPINH1 expression is induced by heat shock. HSP47 localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum lumen and binds collagen therefore it is a molecular chaperone which takes part in the maturation of collagen molecules, facilitating the folding and assembly of procollagen molecules, retaining unfolded molecules within the ER, and assisting the transport of correctly folded-molecules from the ER to Golgi apparatus. Autoantibodies to HSP47 protein have been found in rheumatoid arthritis. SERPINH1 binds specifically to collagen and acts as a chaperone in the biosynthetic pathway of collagen.

Ganglioside GM2 activator (GM2A) is a small glycolipid transport protein which functions as a substrate specific co-factor for the lysosomal enzyme beta-hexosaminidase A. GM2A participates in lipid metabolism. GM2A protein is localized in lysosomes. The GM2A protein forms a large binding pocket for a number of single chain phospholipids and fatty acids. GM2A demonstrates calcium-independent phospholipase activity. GM2A stimulates ganglioside GM2 degradation by presenting GM2 to beta-hexosaminidase A. The Beta-hexosaminidase A, along with GM2A, catalyzes the degradation of the ganglioside GM2, and other molecules containing terminal N-acetyl hexosamines. GM2A gene mutations result in GM2-gangliosidosis type AB or the AB variant of Tay-Sachs disease.

ARF6 is a part of the ADP ribosylation factor family of GTP-binding proteins. ARF6 is restricted to the plasma membrane, and controls vesicular trafficking, remodeling of membrane lipids, and signaling pathways which lead to actin remodeling. Furthermore, ARF6 is a key player in conservation of organelle integrity, assembly of coat proteins and activation of phospholipase D.

Seed storage proteins have been identified as major allergens in several other tree nuts and peanut. 2S albumin Cor a 14.0101 is a seed storage protein in hazelnut. Sensitization to Cor a 14.0101 may cause a severe allergic reaction, mainly in children.

SNAP-25 is an necessary element of the core complex that is responsible for presynaptic vesicle trafficking. Thus, SNAP-25 is directly involved in the release of neurotransmitters and this protein exists as two alternative isoforms, SNAP25A and SNAP25B which differ by 9 amino acids in central portion of these proteins.

Developmentally-regulated GTP-binding protein 1 (DRG1) is a member of the GTP1/OBG family. DRG1 has a role in cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as in apoptosis, proposing a role in tumor formation and metastasis. Expression of the DRG1 was considerably reduced in breast tumor cells, particularly in patients with lymph node or bone metastasis as compared to those with localized breast cancer. The DRG1 protein is expressed at high levels in the heart, kidney and skeletal muscle and at lower levels in the brain, liver, placenta, lung, colon and spleen.

SPG21 binds to the hydrophobic C-terminal amino acids of CD4 which take part in suppression of CD-4 dependant T cell activation. The interaction with CD4 is mediated by the noncatalytic alpha/beta hydrolase fold domain. SPG21 adapts the stimulatory activity of CD4. SPG21 is broadly expressed in diverse tissues including heart, brain, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas. Mutations in SPG21 cause Mast syndrome, an autosomal-recessive complicated form of hereditary spastic paraplegia characterized by dementia, thin corpus callosum and white matter abnormalities.

KCTD4 also known as Potassium Channel Tetramerisation Domain Containing 4 has an N-terminal homodimerization domain which contains multiple copies of kelch repeats and C2H2-type zinc fingers. Proteins which include BTB domains are consider being involved in transcriptional regulation through control of chromatin structure and function. In addition, KCTD4 is a 259 amino acid protein which contains one BTB domain, a possible role as a transcriptional regulator may be suggested.

Human norovirus is classified into two groups, group 1& group 2. Norwalk virus is the species which belongs to group 1 and was discovered in 1968 at Ohio. Norovirus is a familiar virus which causes human gastroenteritis with the following symptoms vomiting, diarrhea and sickness. CDC report revealed that there are 19-21 million Americans infected by Nororvirus annually with 800 deaths, 1 in 15 people with infection. Around the world, this virus affects about 267 million people and causes over 200,000 deaths each year; these losses are mostly in less developed countries and in the very young, elderly and immuno-suppressed population, though, most cases are self-limited with a full recovery within just a few days.Norovirus is extremely contagious and can spread from human to human through infected food, water or contaminated surfaces. The outbreaks usually occur from November-April, while the peak is in January. Norovirus is a positive sense RNA virus with 7.5 kb nucleotides, encoding a major structural protein VP1 with 50-55kDa. The full length of VP1 capsid comprises the internal N-terminal, Hinge, shell (S) and protruding (P) domains. P domain from 225 to 520 forms P1- P2-P1 structure. Moreover, P domain has a receptor binding region which recognizes human histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs). P domain expressed in bacteria can spontaneously form a P dime as well as a P particle aggregated by 12 P dimmers. P particle displays an increased binding activity to HBGAs higher than virus-like particle (VLP) formed by the full-length capsid. For norovirus vaccine development, we consider P domain as a good candidate.

Calbindins are Ca-binding proteins belonging to the troponin C superfamily. CALB28K/Calbindin1/CALB1 (D28K/Spot35 protein or cholecalcin, rat 261 aa; mouse 261 aa; human 261-aa, chromosome 8q21.3-q22.1) was originally described as 27-kDA induced by vitamin D in the duodenum of chicken. In mammals, it is expressed in the kidney, pancreatic islets, and brain. In brain, its synthesis is independent of vitamin D. CABP28K contains 4 active and 2 inactive EF-hand Ca-binding domains. The gene for CABP28K is clustered in the same region as carbonic anhydrase. The neurons in the brains of patients with Huntington disease are CAB28K depleted. There are two types of CaBPs: the "trigger"- and the "buffer"-CaBPs. The conformation of "trigger" type CaBPs changes upon Ca2+ binding and exposes regions on protein that interact with target molecules, thus altering their activity. The buffer-type CABP are thought to control the intracellular calcium concentration. Calbindin D-28K is found predominantly in subpopulations of central and peripheral nervous system neurons, and in certain epithelial cells involved in Ca2+ transport such as distal tubular cells and cortical collecting tubules of the kidney, and in enteric neuroendocrine cells.

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.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).