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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).

Forty-two antigenic domains were identified across the hepatitis A virus (HAV) polyprotein by using a set of 237 overlapping 20-mer synthetic peptides spanning the entire HAV polyprotein. Nineteen antigenic domains were found within the structural proteins, and 22 were found within the nonstructural proteins, with 1 domain spanning the junction of VP1 and P2A proteins. Five of these domains were considered immunodominant, as judged by both the breadth and the strength of their immunoreactivity. One domain is located within the VP2 protein at position 57-90 aa. A second domain, located at position 767-842 aa, contains the C-terminal part of the VP1 protein and the entire P2A protein. A third domain, located at position 1403-1456 aa, comprises the C-terminal part of the P2C protein and the N-terminal half of the P3A protein. The fourth domain, located at position 1500-1519 aa, includes almost the entire P3B, and the last domain, located at position 1719-1764 aa, contains the C-terminal region of the P3C protein and the N-terminal region of the P3D protein. Four of the five most immunoreactive domains are derived from small HAV proteins and/or encompass protein cleavage sites separating different HAV proteins.

Troponin I (TnI), troponin T (TnT) and troponin C (TnC) form the troponin complex of the thin filaments of striated muscle. TnI is acts as the inhibitory subunit by blocking actin-myosin interactions and thereby mediating striated muscle relaxation. The TnI subfamily contains 3 genes: TnI-skeletal-fast-twitch, TnI-skeletal-slow-twitch, and TnI-cardiac. The TNNI3 gene encodes the TnI-cardiac protein and is exclusively expressed in cardiac muscle tissues. Mutations in the TNNI3 gene cause familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy type 7 (CMH7) and familial restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM).

Thymidylate synthase catalyzes the methylation of deoxyuridylate to deoxythymidylate using 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate as a cofactor which maintains the dTMP (thymidine-5-prime monophosphate) pool vital for DNA replication and repair. Thymidylate synthase plays an important role as a cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Thymidylate synthase is the primary site of action for 5-fluorouracil, 5-fluoro-2-prime-deoxyuridine, and several folate analogs.

CD57 also called B3GAT1is part of the glucuronyltransferase gene family. CD57 exhibits strict acceptor specificity, recognizing nonreducing terminal sugars and their anomeric linkages. CD57 takes part in the glucuronyl transfer reaction during the biosynthesis of the carbohydrate epitope HNK-1.

Pyruvate kinase is a key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway. The M2 isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase is specifically expressed at high levels in tumor cells, and can be measured in plasma of patients with advanced breast cancer. The marker is useful for measuring disease activity, sensitivity to chemotherapy and recurrence.

Parainfluenza virus, PIV, contains a group of four distinct serotypes of single-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the paramyxovirus family and two subtypes (4a and 4b). Parainfluenza viruse is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA viruse that possess fusion and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein "spikes" on their surface. The virion varies in size (average diameter between 150 and 300 nm) and shape.

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2S (UBE2S) belongs to the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family. UBE2S is able to form a thiol ester linkage with ubiquitin in a ubiquitin activating enzyme-dependent manner, a typical property of ubiquitin carrier proteins. UBE2S catalyzes the covalent attachment of ubiquitin to other proteins. UBE2S acts as a crucial factor of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), which is a cell cycle-regulated ubiquitin ligase that controls progression through mitosis. UBE2S acts by purposely elongating ''Lys-11''-linked polyubiquitin chains initiated by the E2 enzyme UBE2C/UBCH10 on APC/C substrates, augmenting the degradation of APC/C substrates by the proteasome and promoting mitotic exit. UBE2S also acts by elongating ubiquitin chains initiated by the E2 enzyme UBE2D1/UBCH5 in vitro; it is nevertheless uncertain whether UBE2D1/UBCH5 acts as an E2 enzyme for the APC/C in vivo. UBE2S is also involved in ubiquitination and consequent degradation of VHL, resu

SARS Coronavirus is an enveloped virus containing 3 outer structural proteins, namely the membrane (M), envelope (E), and spike (S) proteins. Spike (S)-glycoprotein of the virus interacts with a cellular receptor and mediates membrane fusion to allow viral entry into susceptible target cells. Accordingly, S-protein takes part in virus infection cycle and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies.

c-Myc is a multifunctional, nuclear phosphoprotein that plays a role in cell cycle progression, apoptosis and cellular transformation. It functions as a transcription factor that regulates transcription of specific target genes. Mutations, overexpression, rearrangement and translocation of c-Myc have been associated with a variety of hematopoietic tumors, leukemias and lymphomas, including Burkitt lymphoma. There is evidence to show that alternative translation initiations from an upstream, in-frame non-AUG (CUG) and a downstream AUG start site result in the production of two isoforms with distinct N-termini. The synthesis of non-AUG initiated protein is suppressed in Burkitt's lymphomas, suggesting its importance in the normal function of this gene.

CTK-19 is a member of the keratin family. The keratins are intermediate filament proteins responsible for the structural integrity of epithelial cells and are subdivided into cytokeratins and hair keratins. The type I cytokeratins consist of acidic proteins which are arranged in pairs of heterotypic keratin chains. Unlike its related family members, this smallest known acidic cytokeratin is not paired with a basic cytokeratin in epithelial cells. It is specifically expressed in the periderm, the transiently superficial layer that envelopes the developing epidermis. The type I cytokeratins are clustered in a region of chromosome 17q12-q21.

PEDF is a noninhibitory serpin with neurotrophic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-tumorigenic properties. PEDF is a 50,000 dalton glycoprotein created and secreted in many tissues all the way through the body. A key component of the anti-angiogenic action of PEDF is the induction of apoptosis in proliferating endothelial cells. Additionally, PEDF is capable to inhibit the activity of angiogenic factors such as VEGF and FGF-2. The neuro-protective effects of PEDF are achieved through suppression of neuronal apoptosis induced by peroxide, glutamate, or other neurotoxins. The recognition of a lipase-linked cell membrane receptor for PEDF (PEDF-R) that binds to PEDF with high affinity should facilitate further elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of this pluripotent serpin. To date, PEDF-R is the only signaling receptor known to be used by a serpin family member. The unique range of PEDF activities associate it as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of vasculature related neurode

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirusthat can lead to a condition in which the immune systembegins to fail, leading to opportunistic infections. HIV primarily infects vital cells in the humanimmune systemsuch as helper T cells(specifically CD4+ T cells), macrophagesand dendritic cells. HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4+ T cells through three main mechanisms: firstly, direct viral killing of infected cells; secondly, increased rates of apoptosisin infected cells; and thirdly, killing of infected CD4+ T cells by CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytesthat recognize infected cells. When CD4+ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunityis lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections. HIV was classified as a member of the genus Lentivirus, part of the family of Retroviridae. Lentiviruses have many common morphologies and biological properties. Many species are infected by lentiviruses, which are characteristically responsible for long-duration illnesses with a long incubation period. Lentiviruses are transmitted as single-stranded, positive-sense, enveloped RNA viruses. Upon entry of the target cell, the viral RNA genomeis converted to double-stranded DNAby a virally encoded reverse transcriptasethat is present in the virus particle. This viral DNA is then integrated into the cellular DNA by a virally encoded integraseso that the genome can be transcribed. Once the virus has infected the cell, two pathways are possible: either the virus becomes latentand the infected cell continues to function, or the virus becomes active and replicates, and a large number of virus particles are liberated that can then infect other cells.

TMEFF2 is a gene encoding a plasma membrane protein with two follistatin-like domains and one epidermal growth factor–like domain. TMEFF2 has limited normal tissue distribution and is highly overexpressed in prostate cancer. The shedded form of TMEFF2 up-regulates cancer cell proliferation, most likely by promoting ERK1/2 phosphorylation. TMEFF2 is down-regulated in tumor cell lines in response to a high level of methylation in the 5'' region.

GH 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.

Influenza-B virus is a genus in the virusfamily Orthomyxoviridae. The only species in this genus is called "Influenza B virus". Influenza B virus only infects humansand seals. This limited host range is apparently in contrast with those caused by the similar Influenza virus Aas both mutate by both genetic drift and reassortment. Influenza-B virus evolves slower than A viruses and faster than C viruses. Influenza-B virus mutates at a rate 2-3 times lower than type A. However, influenza B mutates enough that lasting immunity is not possible. The Influenza B virus capsidis enveloped while its virionconsists of a matrix protein + envelope + nucleoprotein complex + nucleocapsid, and a polymerasecomplex. Influenza B is sometimes spherical and sometimes filamentous. Its 500 or so surface projections are made of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.
The Influenza B virus is 14648 nucleotideslong and consists of eight segments of linear negative-sense, single-stranded RNA. The multipartite genome is encapsidated, each segment in a separate nucleocapsid, and the nucleocapsids are surrounded by one envelope.

IFN-alpha is produced by macrophages and has antiviral activities. Interferon stimulates the production of two enzymes: protein kinase and an oligoadenylate synthetase.

Human papillomavirus family consist of over 200 types. Over than 30 to 40 types of HPV are transferred via sexual contact and infect the anogenital region initiating genital warts. Persistent infection with "high-risk" HPV types results in skin warts and leads to precancerous lesions and invasive cancer. HPV infection is considered as a source for all incidents of cervical cancer. E2, E6, and E7 proteins of HPV-16 and 18 are considered the main viral oncoproteins that take part in cervical cancer. The type-specific antigen epitopes of E2, E6, and E7 proteins of HPV-16 are fused together and expressed in E. coli for diagnostic purpose.

Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 (HAVCR2) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. HACVR2 controls macrophage activation. HACVR2 inhibits T-helper type 1 lymphocyte (Th1)-mediated auto- and alloimmune responses and stimulates immunological tolerance.

Streptavidin is a tetrameric protein secreted by Streptomyces avidinii which binds firmly to biotin. Streptavidin is widely 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.

TUBG1 belongs to the tubulin superfamily. TUBG1 is localizes to the centrosome and binds to microtubules to create the gamma-tubulin ring complex. TUBG1 facilitates the microtubule nucleation and is essential for microtubule formation and progression of the cell cycle.

PRDX1 is part of the peroxiredoxin family of antioxidant enzymes, which reduce hydrogen peroxide and alkyl hydroperoxides. PRDX1 is an important protector of red blood cells against reactive oxygen species and in tumor prevention. PRDX1 is antioxidant protective in cells, and contributes to the antiviral activity of CD8(+) T-cells. PRDX1 has a proliferative effect and is involved in cancer development or progression. Peroxiredoxin-1 is plays a role in redox regulation of the cell. Peroxiredoxin decreases peroxides with reducing equivalents provided through the thioredoxin system but not from glutaredoxin. Peroxiredoxin is involved in eliminating peroxides generated during metabolism. Peroxiredoxin participates in the signaling cascades of growth factors and TNF-alpha by regulating the intracellular concentrations of h(2)o(2).

GCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes. The active protein is found extracellularly. Three transcript variants encoding three different isoforms have been found for this gene.
Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. This csf induces granulocytes.

SSU72 is an extremely conserved homologue of yeast Ssu72, a CTD phosphatase and a component of the polyadenylation/termination machinery. SSU72 interacts with TFIIB, Rb and DNAM-1 and operates to catalyze the dephosphorylation of target proteins, and taking part in RNA processing and termination via dephosphorylation of Pol II. SSU72 is found in multiple alternatively spliced isoforms.