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Galectins are a family of animal lectins with an affinity for beta-galactosides. This family has at least 14 identified members. Galectins share similarities in the CRD (the carbohydrate recognition domain). Galectins are synthesized as cytosolic proteins. Though localized principally in the cytoplasm and lacking a classical signal peptide, galectins can also be stimulated to secretion by non-classical pathways or alternatively targeted to the nucleus. Galectins are involved in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Galectin-8 is a tandem-repeat-type member of the galectin family, consisting of 2 CRDs attached by a linker peptide. Galectin-8 is greatly expressed in lung carcinomas, a number of forms of prostate carcinomas, in addition to other tumor cells. Galectin-8 attaches to a subset of cell surface integrins to modulate ECM-integrin interactions. Once immobilized, Galectin-8 promotes cell adhesion by ligation and clustering of cell surface integrin receptors. On the other hand, as a soluble ligand, Galectin-8 can inhibit cell adhesion.

XCL1 is a small cytokine belonging to the XC chemokine family that is also known as lymphotactin. It is located in high levels in spleen, thymus, intestine and peripheral blood leukocytes, and at lower levels in lung, prostate gland and ovary. Cellular sources for XCL1 include activated thymic and peripheral blood CD8+ T cells. This chemokine attracts T cells. In humans, XCL1 is closely related to another chemokine called XCL2, whose gene is found at the same locus on chromosome 1. XCL1 induces it chemotactic function by binding to a chemokine receptor called XCR1.

Insemination involves of a series of specific cell-cell interactions concluding in the fusion of the sperm and egg plasma membranes. Recognition, binding, and fusion take place through the interface of complementary molecules which are localized to specific domains of the sperm and egg plasma membranes. In the sperm, the postacrosomal region or equatorial segment is involved in sperm-egg plasma membrane fusion. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRISP) family. CRISP1 is expressed in the epididymis, is secreted into the epididymal lumen, and binds to the postacrosomal region of the sperm head, where it takes part in sperm-egg fusion.

The cytokine Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified to be secreted by the pituitary gland and the monocyte/macrophage and to play an important role in endotoxic shock. MIF has the unique property of being released from macrophages and T cells in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. The secretion of MIF is tightly regulated and decreases at high, anti-inflammatory steroid concentration.

DR1 is a phosphoprotein that inhibits both basal and activated levels of transcription. DR1 is phosphorylated in vivo which affects its interaction with TBP. DR1 has a histone fold motif at the amino terminus, a TBP-binding domain, and a glutamine- and alanine-rich region. By selectively repressing polymerases II and III, DR1 alters the physiological balance of transcriptional output in favor of polymerase I.

BAIAP2 is a ubiquitous regulator of the actin cytoskeleton. Controled by the Rho-family GTPases BAIAP2 facilitates filopodia development. BAIAP2 is expressed in the cytoplasm and binds small membrane-bound G-proteins to cytoplasmic effector proteins. BAIAP2 was identified as interacting with the dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy gene, which is related to an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease.

BIRC7 is a part of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family and contains a single copy of a baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) as well as a RING-type zinc finger domain. The BIR domain is necessary for inhibitory activity & cooperates with caspases, while the RING finger domain sometimes increases anti-apoptotic activity but doesn’t inhibit apoptosis by itself. 2 transcript variants encoding diverse isoforms have been found for this gene. The 2 isoforms have dissimilar antiapoptotic characteristics, with isoform a protecting cells from apoptosis induced by staurosporine and isoform b defending cells from apoptosis. BIRC7 has direct contact with several caspases together with caspase-3, caspase-7, & caspase –9. BIRC7 inhibits the activation of caspase-9 induced by Apaf-1, cytochrome c, and dATP.

B-Raf Proto-Oncogene, also known as BRAF is a member of the raf/mil family of serine/threonine protein kinases. BRAF participates in regulating the MAP kinase/ERKs signaling pathway, which eventually have an effect on cell division, differentiation, and secretion. Mutations in BRAF have been associated with cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, which is a disease characterized by heart defects, mental retardation and a distinctive facial appearance. In addition, mutations in BRAF have also been associated with different cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, malignant melanoma, thyroid carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, as well as adenocarcinoma of lung.

PBLD is member of the phenazine biosynthesis-like protein (PhzF) family. PBLD which is expressed in most tissues is the only representative of the PhzF family in the human genome. PBLD participates in the MAPK signaling pathway. PBLD is involved in multiple basic cellular functions, its expression is elevated in several disease processes, including folate deficiency and hypotension.

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 neurodegenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). PEDF in addition has the potential to be functional in the treatment of various angiogenesis-related diseases including a number of cancers.

Frataxin is a mitochondrial iron binding protein that is part of the FRATAXIN family. Frataxin functions in regulating mitochondrial iron transport and respiration. The expansion of intronic trinucleotide repeat GAA results in Friedreich ataxia. Frataxin plays a role in iron homeostasis. Frataxin is an anti-apoptotic protein which prevents mitochondrial damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

CD207 (C-type lectin domain family 4 member K) is expressed in Langerhans cells which are immature dendritic cells of the epidermis and mucosa. Moreover, CD207 is expressed in several other dendritic cell types including dermal CD103+ DCs and splenic CD8+ DCs. Langerin is localized in the Birbeck granules, the organelles present in the cytoplasm of Langerhans cells and comprised of superimposed and zippered membranes. CD207 is a C-type lectin with mannose binding specificity, and it has been suggested that mannose binding by the CD207 protein leads to internalization of antigen into Birbeck granules thus providing access to a nonclassical antigen-processing pathway.

KISS1 is a metastasis suppressor protein that suppresses metastases of melanomas and breast carcinomas without affecting tumorigenicity.KISS1 functions to inhibit chemotaxis and invasion, attenuating metastasis in malignant melanomas. KISS1 is involved in the regulation of cell-matrix adhesion. KISS1 plays a role in cytoskeletal reorganization. A polymorphism in the terminal exon of KISS1 mRNA results in two protein isoforms. Expression of KiSS1 is localized to specific regions of the hypothalamus in numerous species and is regulated by gonadal steroids and across the estrous cycle..KISS1 generates a c-terminally amidated peptide, metastin which functions as the endogenous ligand of the g-protein coupled receptor gpr54. Activation of the receptor inhibits cell proliferation and cell migration, key characteristics of tumor metastasis.

CCL4L1 (C-C motif chemokine 4-like) is a member of to intercrine beta (chemokine CC) family. The CCL4L1 protein is similar to CCL4 which inhibits HIV replication in peripheral blood monocytes which express CCR5.

Lipocalin-2 also called Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) belongs to a family of lipocans which include 25 proteins (including a1-microglobulin and b-lactoglobulin), which are characterized by their ability to bind small lipophilic substances in their hydrophobic core.
They thereby serve as transporters of substances like retinal, biliverdins & prostaglandins. There are indications that NGAL is involved in modulation of the inflammatory response and is found in the plasma of patients after stroke.

Prolactin is a pituitary hormone involved in the stimulation of milk production, salt and water regulation, growth, development and reproduction. The initial step in its action is the binding to a specific membrane receptor (prolactin receptor) which belongs to the superfamily of class 1 cytokine receptors. The function of the prolactin receptor is mediated, at least in part, by two families of signaling molecules: Janus kinases and signal transducers and activators of transcription. Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone involved in a variety of important functions including ion transport and osmoregulation, stimulation of milk, protein synthesis as well as the regulation of numerous reproductive functions. PRL exerts its influence on different cell types through a signal transduction pathway which begins with the binding of the hormone to a transmembrane PRL receptor. Immunoreactive PRL receptor, a member of the cytokine receptor family, varies in size (short and long forms) with tissue source and species, from ~40 kDa to 100 kDa. The PRL receptor consists of at least three separate domains: an extracellular region with 5 cysteines which contains the prolactin binding site, a single transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic region, the length of which appears to influence ligand binding and regulate cellular function.

Translin is a DNA and RNA binding protein that identifies specifically preserved target sequences at the breakpoint junction of chromosomal translocations. TSN forms a ring-shaped configuration, that is in charge of DNA binding, and in addition has a leucine zipper motif, which is believed to assist TSN to form dimers. TSN exports specific mRNAs out of the nucleus, reinforced by its localization in both the nuclei and cytoplasm of neurons, and regulates their translation.

Yip1 Interacting Factor Homolog B (YIF1b) is a member of the YIF1 family.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from mice with experimentally induced allergic pulmonary inflammation contains a novel 9.4 kDa cysteine-rich secreted protein, RELM-alpha (FIZZ1, found in inflammatory zone). RELM-alpha is a secreted protein that has a restricted tissue distribution with highest levels in adipose tissue stroma. Murine RELM-alpha (FIZZ1) is the founding member of a new gene family including two other murine genes expressed, respectively, in intestinal crypt epithelium (RELM-beta) and white adipose tissue (Resistin), and two related human genes.
RELMalpha inhibits the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes but has no effect on proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. RELMalpha is able to form heterooligomers with resistin but not RELMbeta. Since RELMalpha is expressed by adipose tissue and it is a secreted factor, our findings suggest that RELMalpha may be involved in the control of the adipogenesis as well as in the process of muscle differentiation.
In the lung, RELM-alpha is induced by hypoxia and was renamed as hypoxia-induced mitogenic factor (HIMF). HIMF strongly activated Akt phosphorylation. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 (10 micromol/L) inhibited HIMF-activated Akt phosphorylation. It also inhibited HIMF stimulated RPSM proliferation. Thus, the PI3K/Akt pathway, at least in part, mediates the proliferative effect of HIMF. Further studies showed that HIMF had angiogenic and vasoconstrictive properties. HIMF increased pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance. Further studies suggest that HIMF regulates apoptosis and may participate in lung alveolarization and maturation.

Meprin A subunit alpha (MEP1A) is a single-pass type I membrane protein which is a member of the peptidase M12A family. MEP1A is abundantly expressed in the kidney and intestinal epithelial cells, is secreted into the urinary tract and intestinal lumen, and found in leukocytes and cancer cells under certain conditions. MEP1A is capable of proteolytically degrading extracellular matrix proteins, proteolytically processing bioactive proteins, and has a role in inflammatory processes.

Meprin A subunit beta (MEP1B) belongs to the astacin family of zinc endopeptidases 1, 2. MEP1B is a disulfide-linked, tetrameric metalloendopeptidase in renal brush border membranes. MEP1B is highly regulated, secreted cell-surface metalloendopeptidase, which is amply expressed in the kidney and intestine.

Discoidin Domain Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 1 (DDR1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein which is a part of the discoidin-like domain containing subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. DDR1 functions as cell surface receptor for fibrillar collagen and regulates cell attachment to the extracellular matrix, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, cell migration, differentiation, survival and cell proliferation. DDR1 is expressed in epithelial cells, mainly in the kidney, lung, gastrointestinal tract, and brain and is significantly overexpressed in several human tumors.

Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor, Clade C Member 1 (SERPINC1), which is a part of the serpin superfamily, is a plasma protease inhibitor. SERPINC1 inhibits thrombin and other activated serine proteases of the coagulation system, and regulates the blood coagulation cascade. SERPINC1 also inhibits Thrombin and Factors IXa, Xa and XIa. Deficiencies in SERPINC1 can cause ATIII deficiency, an autosomal dominant disease which might lead to a hereditary thrombophilia.

KLRD1, also known as Killer Cell Lectin Like Receptor D1, is expressed on the surface of natural killer cells in the innate immune system. KLRD1 functions as a receptor for the recognition of MHC class I HLA-E molecules by NK cells and some cytotoxic T-cells. KLRD1 can create disulfide-bonded heterodimer with NKG2 family members. CD94 & NKG2 complex interacts with (HLA)-E, Human Leukocyte Antigen on target cells on the surface of natural killer cells.