Search results

Mediator Complex Subunit 20 (MED20) is a subunit of the Mediator complex, which is a multiprotein coactivator of RNA transcription that interacts with DNA-bound transcriptional activators, RNA polymerase II, and general initiation factors. The Mediator functions as a link to transmit information from gene-specific regulatory proteins to the basal RNA polymerase II transcription apparatus. Mediator is recruited to promoters by direct interactions with regulatory proteins and functions as a scaffold for the compilation of a functional preinitiation complex with RNA polymerase II and the general transcription factors.

REG protein was shown to be stimulated during the regeneration of pancreatic islets. Since then, many Reg-related proteins have been identified in humans and other animals. In human, the four REG family genes, i.e., REG 1 alpha, REG 1 beta, REG-related sequence (RS) and HIP/PAP, have so far been isolated. These Reg-related proteins are classified into four subfamilies according to their amino-acid sequences, but they share a similar structure and physiological function. Reg protein is a growth factor for pancreatic beta cells and also suggests that the administration of Reg protein could be used as another therapeutic approach for diabetes mellitus. Human REG cDNA which encodes a 166-amino acid protein with a 22-amino acid signal peptide. The amino acid sequence of human REG protein has 68% homology to that of rat Reg protein.
Reg I was found to be expressed mainly in pancreatic beta and acinoductular cells as well as gastric fundic enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. Reg I production in ECL cells is stimulated by gastrin, as well as by the proinflammatory cytokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2Beta. In patients with chronic hypergastrinemia, Reg production is stimulated, with the increased proliferation of gastric mucosal cells. Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection also showed increased Reg production in the gastric mucosa, partly via increased plasma gastrin concentration and partly via increased proinflammatory cytokine production. The serum concentration of the reg-protein was significantly higher in patients with various pancreatic diseases than in normal controls, and was also significantly higher in patients with acute pancreatitis or chronic relapsing pancreatitis than in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, the serum PSP/reg-protein concentration was also significantly increased in liver cirrhosis, choledocholithiasis, and various cancers of the digestive system.

Adipocyte plasma membrane-associated protein, also known as APMAP, is a member of the strictosidine synthase family. APMAP exhibits strong arylesterase activity with beta-naphthyl acetate in addition to phenyl acetate and takes part in adipocyte differentiation.

There are four mitochondrial proteins composing the enzyme system for cleavage of glycine (glycine cleavage system): P protein, H protein, T protein, and L protein. GCSH is the H protein. GCSH transfers the methylamine group of glycine from the P protein to the T protein. Mutations in this gene results in nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH).

DYNLT3 belongs to a subclass of dynein light chains. The DYNLT3 protein homodimerizes and forms the light chain component of the cytoplasmic dynein motor protein complex. DYNLT3 functions 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. DYNLT3 may also work independently of dynein as a transcriptional modulator. DYNLT3 is required for the effective progression through mitosis.

Dystroglycan 1 (DAG1) is a laminin binding component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex which provides a connection between the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. The N-terminal domain of alpha-dystroglycan is secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid. The effect of DAG1 on the nervous system remains vague. The complete dystroglycan complex is expressed in a various tissues and has a role in processes such as laminin and basement membrane assembly, sarcolemmal stability, cell survival, peripheral nerve myelination, nodal structure, cell migration, and epithelial polarization. DAG1 is a candidate gene for the site of the mutation in autosomal recessive muscular dystrophies. The dramatic decrease of DAG1 in Duchenne muscular dystrophy leads to a loss of linkage between the sarcolemma and extracellular matrix, making muscle fibers more susceptible to necrosis.

Axin interactor, dorsalization-associated (AIDA) operates as a ventralizing factor during embryogenesis. AIDA inhibits axin-mediated JNK activation by binding axin and disrupting axin homodimerization. That in turn antagonizes a Wnt/beta-catenin-independent dorsalization pathway activated by AXIN/JNK-signaling.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a peptide hormone produced in pregnancy, that is made by the embryosoon after conception and later by the syncytiotrophoblast(part of the placenta). Its role is to prevent the disintegration of the corpus luteumof the ovaryand thereby maintain progesterone production that is critical for a pregnancy in humans. hCG may have additional functions, for instance it is thought that it affects the immune tolerance of the pregnancy. Early pregnancy testing generally is based on the detection or measurement of hCG.

RWD Domain Containing 1 (RWDD1) is a member of the RWDD1/GIR2 family. The RWDD1 protein protects DRG2 (developmentally regulated GTP binding protein 2), from proteolytic degradation. RWD domain refers to 3 signature motifs in proteins: RING finger, WD-repeats, and yeast DEAD (DEXD)-like motif. Current evidence proposes that RWD domain may be required for protein-protein interaction.

Frizzled-4, also known as FZD4 is a 7 ­transmembrane glycoprotein which belongs to the Frizzled family within the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily. FZD4 acts as a positive regulator of the Wingless type MMTV integration site signaling pathway. These pathways appear to include interactions with G-proteins. FZD4 is implicated in transduction as well as intercellular transmission of polarity information in the course of tissue morphogenesis and differentiated tissues.

NCR2 is a member of the natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) family and holds 1 immunoglobulin-like (Ig-like) domain. NCR2 cooperates with TYROBP/DAP12 and is specifically expressed by activated NK cells and by in vitro cultured TCRg/d lymphoid cells. NCR2 is a cytotoxicity-activating receptor which induces the amplified efficiency of activated natural killer (NK) cells to mediate tumor cell lysis.

CRYGD is a member of the beta/gamma-crystallin family. Crystallins are the principal structural components of the vertebrate eye lens. The mammalian lens crystallins are divided into alpha, beta, and gamma families. Gamma-crystallins are involved in cataract formation. Defects in the CRYGD gene are responsible for cataract autosomal dominant (ADC), cataract congenital non-nuclear polymorphic autosomal dominant (CCP), cataract congenital cerulean type 3 (CCA3) and cataract crystalline aculeiform (CACA).

Toll interacting protein (TOLLIP) is an inhibitory adaptor protein within Toll-like receptors. The TLR pathway is a part of the innate immune system which recognizes structurally conserved molecular patterns of microbial pathogens, initiating an inflammatory immune response. Negative regulation of TLR signaling by TOLLIP might restrict the production of proinflammatory mediators during inflammation and infection. Furthermore, TOLLIP forms a complex with Tom1 to regulate endosomal transferring of ubiquitinated proteins.

IGFBP3 is a member of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) family and encodes a protein with an IGFBP domain and a thyroglobulin type-I domain. The protein forms a ternary complex with insulin-like growth factor acid-labile subunit (IGFALS) and either insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I or II. In this form, it circulates in the plasma, prolonging the half-life of IGFs and altering their interaction with cell surface receptors. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized.

Melanoma-associated antigen D1 (MAGED1) belongs to the melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) family and expressed in virtually all normal adult tissues. MAGED1 is involved in the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediated programmed cell death pathway. MAGED1 is involved in Prader-Willi syndrome including hyperphagia, repetitive and compulsive behaviors, and cognitive impairment. MAGED1 is involved in the apoptotic response following NGF (nerve growth factor) binding in neuronal cells. MAGED1 hinders cell cycle progression, and facilitates NGFR-mediated apoptosis. MAGED1 functions as a regulator of the function of DLX family members. MAGED1 has a role in the circadian rythm regulation.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 2DL5A (KIR2DL5A) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein which is a member of the killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) family.KIR2DL5A is detected on the cell surface as a monomer which, upon tyrosine phosphorylation, recruits the Src homology region 2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2. Therefore, KIR2DL5A is an inhibitory receptor gathering a combination of genetic, structural, and functional features unique among KIR, suggesting that KIR2DL5A plays a specialized role in innate immunity.

Ro 60 kDa autoantigen is an RNA-binding protein that binds to several small cytoplasmic RNA molecules known as Y RNAs. SSA2 may stabilize these RNAs from degradation. Sera taken from patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) often contains antibodies that react with the normal cellular SSA2 protein as if this antigen was foreign.

RUNX3 is part of the RUNX family that mediates the expression of genes which participate in cellular differentiation and cell cycle progression. RUNX3 heterodimer and the beta subunit form a complex that binds to the core DNA sequence 5''-PYGPYGGT-3'' found in several enhancers and promoters, and can either activate or suppress transcription. RUNX3 interacts with additional transcription factors. RUNX3 is a good candidate for gastric cancer tumor suppressor diagnosis.

TXNDC12 is a member of the thioredoxin super family. This Family members have a thioredoxin fold with a consensus active-site sequence (CxxC) and take part in redox regulation, protection against oxidative stress, refolding of disulfide-containing proteins, and regulation of transcription factors.

FAM3C is a member of the FAM3 family and holds a GG domain. Pancreatic cancer-derived cells demonstrate a difference in expression of this protein. FAM3C is a downstream target gene for the Nkx5-1 transcription factor, and there for takes part in cell differentiation and proliferation through inner ear embryogenesis. In addition, FAM3C has a role in retinal laminar formation and promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains or TIGIT, is an immune receptor located on part of T cells and Natural Killer Cells(NK). TIGIT is also known as Vstm3 and WUCAM. The receptor can bind with high affinity to dendritic cells(DCs), CD155(PVR) on macrophages, etc., and it can bind with lower affinity to CD112(PVRL2). TIGIT can inhibit the cytotoxicity of Natural Killer Cells through its ITIM domain via antibodies against the interaction with PVR and the activity is directed. It has been show on research that TIGIT-Fc fusion molecule can have interaction with PVR on dendritic cells and elevate its IL-10 secretion level or lower the secretion on IL-12 under the stimulation of LPS, moreover, it can inhibit the activation of T cell in vivo.

Growth Differentiation Factor-7 (GDF-7) belongs to the BMP family of TGF-b superfamily proteins. GDF7 elicits its bioactivity via a heterodimeric receptor complex comprised of a type 1 (BMPR-IB) and a type II (BMPR-II or Activin RII) serine/threonine kinase receptor. GDF7 signaling results in the phosphorylation and activation of Smad proteins. GDF-7 is also involved in tendon and ligament formation and repair. In addition, GDF7 regulates bone formation, mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, neuronal differentiation, and axon guidance.