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The Proteinase K enzyme is a member of the Peptidase family S8. Proteinase K is a broad-spectrum serine protease. Proteinase K is capable of digesting hair (keratin), henceforth, the name "Proteinase K". Proteinase K is activated by calcium, the enzyme digests proteins especially after hydrophobic amino acids (aliphatic, aromatic and other hydrophobic amino acids). Proteinase K is frequently utilized in molecular biology to digest protein and remove contamination from preparations of nucleic acid. Addition of Proteinase K to nucleic acid preparations rapidly inactivates nucleases which may otherwise degrade the DNA or RNA during purification. Proteinase K is greatly fitting to this application as the enzyme is active in the presence of chemicals which denature proteins, such as SDS and urea, chelating agents such as EDTA, sulfhydryl reagents, as well as trypsin or chymotrypsin inhibitors. Proteinase K is utilized for the destruction of proteins in cell lysates (tissue, cell culture cells) and for the release of nucleic acids, given that it quite effectively inactivates DNases and RNases.

Cystatin 7 (CST7) is a glycosylated cysteine protease inhibitor with a putative role in immune regulation through inhibition of a unique target in the hematopoietic system. Cystatin-7 is comprised of multiple cystatin-like sequences. The superfamily is comprised of 3 inhibitory families: the type 1 cystatins (stefins), type 2 cystatins and the kininogens. Some members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, while others have lost or possibly never had this inhibitory activity. Type 2 cystatin proteins are a class of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in various human fluids and secretions. CST7 protein expression has been observed in numerous human cancer cell lines established from malignant tumors.

Adiponectin is a recently discovered 244 amino acid protein, the product of the apM1 gene, which is physiologically active and specifically and highly expressed in adipose cells (Adipokine). The protein belongs to the soluble defense collagen super family; it has a collagen-like domain structurally homologous with collagen VIII and X and complement factor C1q-like globular domain. APM-1 forms homotrimers, which are the building blocks for higher order complexes found circulating in serum.

Cullin1, is an essential component of multiple cullin-RING-based SCF (SKP1-CUL1-F-box protein) E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complexes, that facilitate the ubiquitination of proteins which take part in cell cycle progression, signal transduction and transcription. In the SCF complex. Cullin1 assists in a rigid scaffold which organizes the SKP1-F-box protein and RBX1 subunits. Cullin1 contributes to catalysis by positioning of the substrate and the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme.

Dendritic cell and monocyte chemokinelike protein (DMC/CXCL17/VEGF-correlated chemokine 1/VCC1), is a secreted molecule with a size and predicted 3-dimensional folding pattern similar to that of chemokines CXCL8/IL8 and CXCL14/BRAK. CXCL17 is constitutively generated by airway and intestinal epithelium. CXCL17 induces the chemotaxis of quiescent, but not LPS-activated peripheral blood monocytes and dendritic cells, and it also binds these cells specifically. The expression of CXCL17 is increased in endothelial cells when they are induced to form tubes in vitro. CXCL17, CXCL1/GRO and CXCL8/IL8 which have roles in angiogenesis, show significantly correlated expression with that of VEGF in primary lung, breast and esophageal tumors. Therefore, CXCL17 is suggested to have a role in tumor angiogenesis. The mature Rat CXCL17 shares 82%, 71% amino acid sequence identity with mouse, human CXCL17, respectively.

Decorin (DCN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which is closely related in structure to biglycan protein. Decorin is a secreted protein which binds to collagen and fibronectin in extracellular matrix. Decorin appears in different glycoforms, substituted with chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate consistent with the original tissue. DCN contains one attached glycosaminoglycan chain. Decorin influences the rate of fibril formation. Decorin is capable of suppressing the growth of various tumor cell lines. DCN gene defects cause corneal dystrophy. The DCN gene is a candidate gene for Marfan syndrome.

Decorin (DCN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which is closely related in structure to biglycan protein. Decorin is a secreted protein which binds to collagen and fibronectin in extracellular matrix. Decorin appears in different glycoforms, substituted with chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate consistent with the original tissue. DCN contains one attached glycosaminoglycan chain. Decorin influences the rate of fibril formation. Decorin is capable of suppressing the growth of various tumor cell lines. DCN gene defects cause corneal dystrophy. The DCN gene is a candidate gene for Marfan syndrome.

SEMA3C, also known as Semaphorin 3C, is a member of the semaphorin family 3 that are grouped into 8 major classes based on phylogenetic tree analyses and structure. Class 3 have an important function after traumatic central nervous system injuries. SEMA3C regulates neuronal and non-neuronal cells associated with the traumatic injury due to their presence in the scar tissue. SEMA3C is expressed in all somatic motor neurons, in cardiac neural crest cells during development and in lung buds. The SEMA3C functions are mediated through binding to the Plexin-D1 and Neuropilin 1 or Neuropilin 2 coreceptor complex. SEMA3C activates integrins in certain cells, so besides its repulsive activities, it also acts as a chemoattractant.

Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor, Clade B Member 4, also known as SERPINB4 is a member of the serpin family. SERPINB4 acts as a protease inhibitor to modulate the host immune response against tumor cells. Among the diseases associated with SERPINB4 are: inverted papilloma as well as burns.

ADP-Ribosylation Factor Interacting Protein 1 (ARFIP1) contains 1 AH domain and is a putative target protein of ADP-ribosylation factor.

Ectodysplasin A Receptor, also known as EDAR belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. EDAR is a receptor for the soluble ligand ectodysplasin A, and is capable of activating the nuclear factor-kappaB, JNK, as well as caspase-independent cell death pathways. EDAR is necessary for the development of hair, teeth, and other ectodermal derivatives. Furthermore, mutations in EDAR resulted in autosomal dominant and recessive forms of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

Neuregulin-4 (NRG4) is a part of the neuregulin family that owns 1 EGF-like domain and is a low affinity ligand for the ERBB4 tyrosine kinase receptor. NRG4 links ERBB1 and ERBB2 coreceptors, resulting in ligand-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the ERBB receptors.

EIF1AY is comparable to eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1A (EIF1A). EIF1AY protein is essential for highest rate of protein biosynthesis. EIF1AY increases ribosome dissociation into subunits and is obligatory for the binding of the 43S complex (a 40S subunit, eIF2/GTP/Met-tRNAi and eIF3) to the 5' end of capped RNA.

IL13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine produced primarily by activated Th2 cells. IL-13 is involved in several stages of B-cell maturation and differentiation. It up-regulates CD23 and MHC class II expression, and promotes IgE isotype switching of B cells. This cytokine down-regulates macrophage activity, thereby inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This cytokine is found to be critical to the pathogenesis of allergen-induced asthma but operates through mechanisms independent of IgE and eosinophils. This gene, IL3, IL5, IL4, and CSF2 form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5q, with this gene particularly close to IL4.

Oncostatin M is a member of a cytokine family that includes leukemia-inhibitory factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin 6. This gene encodes a growth regulator which inhibits the proliferation of a number of tumor cell lines. It regulates cytokine production, including IL-6, G-CSF and GM-CSF from endothelial cells.

ErbB3, also called Her3 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 3), is a type I membrane glycoprotein that is a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase receptors. ErbB family members serve as receptors for the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors. Among ErbB family members, ErbB3 is unique in that it contains a defective kinase domain. ErbB3 is expressed in keratinocytes, melanocytes, skeletal muscle cells, embryonic myoblasts and Schwann cells. Monomeric ErbB3 serves as a low affinity receptor for the heregulins (HRG). ErbB3 can induce specific antibody production in vivo, hence to inhibit tumor cell growth. ErbB-3 can be used to treat early, medium and advanced or post-operative breast cancer with over-expression of ErbB2. According to its mechanism of action, ErbB3 is classified as a therapeutic for cancer.

Inhibins are dimeric peptide hormones produced by female ovarian granulose cells and male Sertoli cells as well as a variety of other tissues. Inhibins have two isoforms, A and B, with the same alpha subunit but different beta subunits. Inhibin A is a dimer of alpha and beta A subunits, inhibin B is a dimer of alpha and beta B subunits.
Inhibins are thought to inhibit the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. In addition, Inhibins are also thought to play a role in the control of gametogenesis, and embryonic and fetal development.

Inositol Hexakisphosphate Kinase 2 (IP6K2) which is a part of the inositol IPK family converts inositol hexakisphosphate to diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate. IP6K2 also converts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6-pentakisphosphate (InsP5) to PP-InsP4. IP6K2 is a protein coding gene which suppresses the growth and affects the apoptotic activities of IFN-beta in several ovarian cancers.

Pro-opiomelanocortin preproprotein (POMC) is a polypeptide hormone precursor which experiences extensive, tissue-specific, post-translational processing via cleavage by subtilisin-like enzymes known as prohormone convertases. POMC regulates the corticosteroid production in the adrenal cortex. Furthermore, POMC is cleaved into ten hormone chains named NPP, g-MSH, ACTH, a-MSH, CLIP, Lipotropin b, Lipotropin g, b-MSH,b endorphin and Met-enkephalin. POMC gene defects are the cause of POMC deficiency, which is characterized by red hair and adrenal insufficiency.

Glucokinase or GLK, is a protein, part of the bacterial glucokinase superfamily. In the bacteria E. coli, glucose can be transported to the inner cell through a system called PTS as glucose 6-phosphate, therefore, GLK is less crucial to the bacteria.

Clusterin also known as Apolipoprotein J (APO-J) is a 75-80 kD disulfide-linked heterodimeric protein containing about 30% of N-linked carbohydrate rich in sialic acid but truncated forms targeted to the nucleus have also been identified.
The precursor polypeptide chain is cleaved proteolytically to remove the 22-mer secretory signal peptide and subsequently between residues 227/228 to generate the a and b chains. These are assembled in anti-parallel to give a heterodimeric molecule in which the cysteine-rich centers are linked by 5 disulfide bridges and are flanked by 2 predicted coiled-coil a-helices and 3 predicted amphipathic a-helices.
Across a broad range of species clusterin shows a high degree of sequence homology ranging from 70% -80%. It is nearly ubiquitously expressed in most mammalian tissues and can be found in plasma, milk, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and semen.
It is able to bind and form complexes with numerous partners such as immunoglobulins, lipids, heparin, bacteria, complement components, paraoxonase, beta amyloid, leptin and others. Clusterin has been ascribed a plethora of functions such as phagocyte recruitment, aggregation induction, complement attack prevention, apoptosis inhibition, membrane remodeling, lipid transport, hormone transport and/or scavenging, matrix metalloproteinase inhibition.
Clusterin is up/down regulated on the mRNA or protein level in many pathological and clinically relevant situations including cancer, organ regeneration, infection, Alzheimer disease, retinitis pigmentosa, myocardial infarction, renal tubular damage, autoimmunity and others.

MCL1 is a member of the Bcl-2 family. MCL1 takes part in the control of apoptosis against cell existence, and in the preservation of viability but not of proliferation. Alternative splicing happens at this locus and two transcript variants encoding different isoforms are known. Isoform 1 is the longer gene product and it increases cell existence by inhibiting apoptosis. Isoform 2 is a shorter gene product which indorses apoptosis and is death-inducing.

Ribosomes, the organelles which catalyze protein synthesis, consist of a small 40S subunit and a large 60S subunit. Together these subunits are comprised of four RNA species and approximately 80 structurally distinct proteins. Ribosomal Protein L12 (RPL12) protein is a member of the L11P family of ribosomal proteins. RPL12 is a component of the 60S subunit, which is located in the cytoplasm. RPL12 binds directly to the 26S rRNA.