Search results

MAP2K1 is a member of the dual specificity protein kinase family, which plays a role as a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase. MAP kinases, are recognized as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), that act as an integration position for multiple biochemical signals. MEK1 is located upstream of MAP kinases and stimulates the enzymatic activity of MAP kinases upon wide variety of extra- and intracellular signals. As a key player of MAP kinase signal transduction pathway, MEK1 is involved in many cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, transcription regulation and development. MAP2K1 catalyzes the concomitant phosphorylation of a threonine and a tyrosine residue in a thr-glu-tyr sequence located in map kinases. MEK1 activates erk1 and erk2 map kinases.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). It is found at the site of tooth eruption and bone degradation. In the bone, CCL2 is expressed by mature osteoclasts and osteoblasts and is under the control of nuclear factor ?B (NF?B). CCL2 recruits immune cells, such as monocytes, to sites of tissue injury and infection. This chemokine is produced as a protein precursor containing signal peptide of 23 amino acids and a mature peptide of 76 amino acids. It is a monomeric polypeptide, with a molecular weightof approximately 13kDa. As with many other CC chemokines, CCL2 is located on chromosome 17 in humans. The cell surface receptors that bind CCL2 are CCR2 and CCR5.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). It is found at the site of tooth eruption and bone degradation. In the bone, CCL2 is expressed by mature osteoclasts and osteoblasts and is under the control of nuclear factor ?B (NF?B). CCL2 recruits immune cells, such as monocytes, to sites of tissue injury and infection. This chemokine is produced as a protein precursor containing signal peptide of 23 amino acids and a mature peptide of 76 amino acids. It is a monomeric polypeptide, with a molecular weight of approximately 13kDa. As with many other CC chemokines, CCL2 is located on chromosome 17 in humans. The cell surface receptors that bind CCL2 are CCR2 and CCR5.

Hepatitis B virus x interacting protein (HBXIP) forms a complex with the C-terminus of hepatitis B virus X (HBX) protein. HBXIP negatively regulates HBX activity and changes the replicative life cycle of the virus. Furthermore, HBXIP is involved in bipolar spindle formation and regulates centrosome dynamics and cytokinesis in cells, possibly due to interaction with Dynein light chain. HBXIP is highly expressed in the skeletal and cardiac muscle, followed by pancreas, kidney, liver, brain, placenta and lung. HBXIP has elevated levels in both cancerous and non-cancerous liver tissue of patients with chronic HBV infection compared with hepatic tissue without HBV infection.

SH2 domain-containing protein 1B, also known as SH2D1B activates NK cells. SH2D1B participates in controlling signal transduction through at least 4 receptors, CD84, SLAMF1, LY9 and CD244, expressed on the surface of professional antigen-presenting cells. Two isoforms of the human SH2D1B are produced by alternative splicing. Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome is one of the diseases which is associated with SH2D1B.

Leptin takes an important part in the regulation of energy balance and body weight control.After entering the circulation, Leptin binds LEPRwhich results in the activation of several major signalling pathways. In the hypothalamus Leptin acts as an appetite-regulating factor that induces a decrease in food intake and an increase in energy consumption and also regulates bone mass and secretion of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal hormones. In the periphery, increases basal metabolism, regulates pancreatic beta-cell function and insulin secretion and affects innate and adaptive immunity.

Non-Metastatic Cells 2 or NME2, is a protein, that acts as a nucleoside diphosphate kinase. This protein is of a heterodimeric structure and has 152 aa A & B polypeptide chains that builds the whole protein. Erythrocyte NDP kinase beta subunit has an identical structure to NME2. NDP kinases linked to nucleoside triphosphates synthesis and it appears as though NME2 takes part in regulating signal transduction.

UL16 Binding Protein 4 (ULBP4) is a member of the RAET1 family, which is comprised of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related genes located in a cluster on chromosome 6q24.2-q25.3. ULBP4 functions as a ligand for the NKG2D receptor on the surface of NK cells. ULBP4 binding to the receptor induces expansion of anti-tumor cytotoxic lymphocytes. ULBP4 is expressed mainly in the skin, but also in the testis or trachea. ULBP4 is upregulated in different tumors. ULBP4 doesn’t interact with the CMV glycoprotein UL16. ULBP4 is also a ligand for the KLRK1 receptor. ULBP4 distributes activating signals to NK cells and stimulates tumor immune surveillance by inducing the expansion of anti-tumor cytotoxic lymphocytes.

IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine. This cytokine can induce the IFN-gamma production of T cells. The combination of this cytokine and IL12 has been shown to inhibit IL4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production, and enhance IgG2a production of B cells. IL-18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine, and thus negatively regulate its biological activity.

P4HB is a multifunctional and highly abundant enzyme that is part of the protein disulfide isomerase family. When present as a tetramer consisting of two alpha and two beta subunits, P4HB has a role in hydroxylation of prolyl residues in preprocollagen. P4HB is a disulfide isomerase containing two thioredoxin domains that catalyze the formation, breakage and rearrangement of disulfide bonds.

ULBP1 together with at least ULBP2 and ULBP3, is ligand for the NKG2D receptor. ULBPs stimulate various signaling pathways in primary NK cells, which result in cytokines and chemokines production. In CMV infected cells, ULBP1 cooperates with soluble CMV glycoprotein UL16 to inhibit the interaction with the NKG2D receptor providing a mechanism by which CMV infected cells escape the immune system. Additionally, UL16 retains ULBP1 to the ER and cis-Golgi apparatus to prevent it from reaching cell surface.

IL-17 family members are glycoproteins secreted as dimers which induce local cytokine production and recruit granulocytes to sites of inflammation. The IL-17 family is comprised of at least six pro-inflammatory cytokines that share a conserved cysteine-knot structure but diverge at the N-terminus. IL-17 is induced by IL-15 and IL-23, mostly in activated CD4+ T cells distinct from Th1 or Th2 cells. IL-17B binds the IL-17B receptor, but not the IL-17 receptor; it is most homologous with IL-17D, which is expressed by resting CD4+ T cells and CD19+ B cells. IL17B Diseases associated with IL17B include spondyloarthropathy, and neuronitis, and among its related super-pathways are Mucin expression in CF via IL-6, IL-17 signaling pathways and STAT3 Pathway.

Growth-Hormone is a member of the somatotropin/prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the growth hormone locus on chromosome 17 where they are interspersed in the same transcriptional orientation; an arrangement which is thought to have evolved by a series of gene duplications. The five genes share a remarkably high degree of sequence identity. Alternative splicing generates additional isoforms of each of the five growth hormones, leading to further diversity and potential for specialization. This particular family member is expressed in the pituitary but not in placental tissue as is the case for the other four genes in the growth hormone locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to growth hormone deficiency and short stature.

CDNF is a member of the ARMET family and acts as a trophic factor for neurons. CDNF inhibits the (6-OHDA)-induced degeneration of neurons. When CDNF controlled after 6-OHDA-lesioning, it reestablishes the function and inhibits the degeneration of neurons in substantia nigra. CDNF is universally expressed in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. The highest levels in the brain are found in the optic nerve and corpus callosum.

Adiponectin is a hormone exclusively expressed from adipose tissue. Many studies demonstrate that adiponectin has direct anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory functions. APM-1 can increase insulin sensitivity of skeletal muscle, attenuate hepatic lipogenesis and luconeogenesis, regulate NO production in endothelial cells, inhibit proliferation of smooth muscle cells and prevent lipid accumulation of macrophage cells.
In the circulation, adiponectin is present as three different oligomeric complexes, including the high molecular weight (HMW), the middle molecular weight (MMW, also called hexamer) and low molecular weigh (MMW, also called trimer) forms 8. Different oligomeric complex of adiponectin activates different signaling pathways and exerts distinct functions.

Interleukin-1b is produced by activated macrophages, IL-1 Beta stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing il-2 release, b-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. IL1B proteins are involved in the inflammatory response, being identified as endogenous pyrogens, and are reported to stimulate the release of prostaglandin from synovial cells.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL7) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. It is a protein that is released in large amounts from platelets following their activation. It stimulates various processes including mitogenesis, synthesis of extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism and synthesis of plasminogen activator.

TES also called Testin is a tumor suppressor protein which is involved in cell adhesion, cell spreading and in the restructuring of the actin cytoskeleton. TES protein localizes to cell-cell contacts and actin stress fibres, and interacts with a diversity of cytoskeletal proteins such as Zyxin, Mena, VASP, Talin and Actin. The ability of TES to associate with alpha-actinin, paxillin and Zyxin is dependent on the conformational form of the protein.

Osteopontin is a glycoprotein that was first identified in osteoblasts and is involved in bone remodeling, immune functions in fibroblasts, macrophages, and lymphocytes during inflammation and wound healing. SPP1 binds tightly to hydroxyapatite. SPP1 forms an integral part of the mineralized matrix. SPP1 is vital to cell-matrix interaction. Secreted Phosphoprotein-1 protects against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury via late preconditioning. Expression of both Ostepontin and CD44 in hepatocellular carcinoma is linked with advanced tumor stage and contributes to prognosis information. SPP1 is the most over-expressed gene in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Secreted Phosphoprotein-1 overexpression is related with interstitial lung diseases.

Streptolysin-O is a sulfhydryl-activated toxin which causes cytolysis by forming pores in cholesterol containing host membranes. After binding to target membranes, the Streptolysin-O protein undergoes a major conformation change, leading to its insertion in the host membrane and creation of an oligomeric pore complex. Cholesterol may be needed for binding to host membranes, membrane insertion and pore formation. Streptolysin-O can be reversibly inactivated by oxidation.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-6 (FGF6) belongs to the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess extensive mitogenic and cell survival functions, and are involved in various biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. The FGF6 gene displayes oncogenic transforming activity when transfected into mammalian cells. The mouse homolog of the FGF6 gene displays a restricted expression profile predominantly in the myogenic lineage, suggesting a role in muscle regeneration or differentiation.

IL-16 is a pleiotropic cytokine that functions as a chemoattractant, a modulator of T cell activation, and an inhibitor of HIV replication. The signaling process of IL-16 is mediated by CD4. The product of this gene undergoes proteolytic processing, which is found to yield two functional proteins. IL-16 functions exclusively attributed to the secreted C-terminal peptide, while the N-terminal product may play a role in cell cycle control. Caspase 3 is reported to be involved in the proteolytic processing of this protein. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.
IL-16 stimulates a migratory response in cd4+ lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils. Also induces t-lymphocyte expression of interleukin 2 receptor, ligand for cd4.

Interleukin-1 alpha is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by a wide variety of cell types, including macrophages, osteoblasts, monocytes and hepatocytes. Circulating levels of are normally low and only rise after stimulation by agents such as those produced by inflammation, infection or microbial endotoxins. IL-1 alpha possesses a wide variety of biological activities and exerts its effects by binding to specific cell surface receptors.

Interleukin-22 (IL-22), also known as IL-10-related T cell-derived inducible factor (IL-TIF) was initially identified as a gene induced by IL-9 in mouse T cells and mast cells. Mouse IL-22 cDNA encodes a 179 amino acid residue protein with a putative 33 amino acids signal peptide that is cleaved to generate a 147 aa mature protein that shares approximately 79% and 22% aa sequence identity with human IL-22 and IL-10, respectively. IL-22 has been shown to activate STAT-1 and STAT-3 in several hepatoma cell lines and upregulate the production of acute phase proteins. IL-22 is produced by normal mouse T cells upon Con A activation. Mouse IL-22 expression is also induced in various organs upon lipopolysaccharide injection, suggesting that IL-22 may be involved in inflammatory responses. The functional IL-22 receptor complex consists of two receptor subunits, IL-22R (previously an orphan receptor named CRF2-9) and IL-10Rβ (previously known as CRF2-4), belonging to the class II cytokine recep