Search results

Exodus-2 protein or CCL21 is a cytokine, part of the CC chemokines subgroup. Because of its 6 conserved residues of the cysteine amino acid (instead of the 4 residues we usually see in chemokines), the protein is also named 6Ckine and SLC (secondary lymphoid-tissue chemokine). The gene that codes for this protein is located on chromosome 9 in humans. The Exodus-2 is binding to the CCR7 receptor, which is a chemokine receptor located to the cell’s surface.

Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins belong to the family of chemotactic cytokines known as chemokines. In humans, there are two major forms, MIP-1a and MIP-1b that are now also named CCL3 and CCL4. Both factors are produced by macrophages after they are stimulated with bacterial endotoxins. MIP-1a and MIP-1b activate human granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils) which can lead to acute neutrophilic inflammation. MIP-1a and MIP-1b induce synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-alpha from fibroblasts and macrophages. CCL3 and CCL4 genes are both located on human chromosome 17.

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.

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase 2 cytoplasmic (PAFAH2) has a marked selectivity for phospholipids with short acyl chains at the sn-2 position. PAFAH2 may share a mutual physiologic function with the plasma-type enzyme.

STAM Binding Protein (STAMBP) is a zinc metalloprotease which specifically cleaves Lys-63-linked polyubiquitin chains, however it doesn’t cleave Lys-48-linked polyubiquitin chains. STAMBP has a role in signal transduction for cell growth and MYC induction mediated by IL-2 and GM-CSF. In addition, STAMBP potentiates BMP signaling by antagonizing the inhibitory action of SMAD6 and SMAD7. STAMBP also has a major role in regulation of cell surface receptor-mediated endocytosis and ubiquitin-dependent sorting of receptors to lysosomes. Endosomal localization of STAMBP is essential for efficient EGFR degradation but not for its internalization. STAMBP is also involved in the negative regulation of PI3K-AKT-mTOR and RAS-MAP signaling pathways.

CTLA-4 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and encodes a protein which transmits an inhibitory signal to T cells. The protein contains a V domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized. The membrane-bound isoform functions as a homodimer interconnected by a disulfide bond, while the soluble isoform functions as a monomer. Mutations in this gene have been associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis, celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, thyroid-associated orbitopathy, and other autoimmune diseases.

Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MYD88) is a cytosolic adapter protein, which has a central role in the innate and adaptive immune response. MYD88 functions as a vital signal transducer in the interleukin-1 and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. MYD88 acts via IRAK1, IRAK2, IRF7 and TRAF6, leading to NF-kappa-B activation, cytokine secretion and the inflammatory response. The MYD88 protein increases IL-8 transcription. MYD88 is involved in IL-18-mediated signaling pathway. MYD88 activates IRF1, resulting in its rapid migration into the nucleus to mediate an efficient induction of IFN-beta, NOS2/INOS, and IL12A genes. MYD88 is comprised of an N-terminal death domain and a C-terminal Toll-interleukin1 receptor domain. Patients with defects in the MYD88 gene have an increased susceptibility to pyogenic bacterial infections.

Bone Morphogenetic protein-8b (BMP8B) belongs to a family of secreted signaling molecules which can induce ectopic bone growth. BMP8B is known for having a possible bone inductive activity as it is related to BMP5 and BMP7. BMP8B is the osteoinductive factor accountable for epithelial osteogenesis.

Calnexin (CANX) belongs to the calnexin family of molecular chaperones. Calnexin is a calcium-binding, ER-associated protein that interacts briefly with newly synthesized N-linked glycoproteins, facilitating protein folding and assembly. Calnexin may also have a key role in the quality control of protein folding by retaining incorrectly folded protein subunits within the ER for degradation. Calnexin grants long-term protection of wild-type Shaker protein from ER-associated degradation. Polypeptide substrate recognition by Calnexin requires specific conformations of the Calnexin protein. Calnexin dwindles with aging and might contribute to a cytoprotection in an array of human age-related diseases.

H3N2 is a subtype of the influenza A virus. Its name derives from the forms of the two kinds of proteinson the surface of its coat, hemagglutinin(H) and neuraminidase(N). H3N2 exchanges genes for internal proteins with other influenza subtypes. H3N2 has tended to dominate in prevalence over H1N1, H1N2, and influenza B. H3N2 strain descended from H2N2by antigenic shift, in which genes from multiple subtypes re-assorted to form a new virus. Both the H2N2and H3N2 strains contained genesfrom avian influenzaviruses.

Carboxymethylenebutenolidase homolog (CMBL) is a cysteine hydrolase of the dienelactone hydrolase family which is highly expressed in the liver cytosol. CMBL is the human homolog of Pseudomonas dienelactone hydrolase, which is a protein that participates in the bacterial halocatechol degradation pathway. CMBL which preferentially cleaves cyclic esters activates medoxomil-ester prodrugs in which the medoxomil moiety is coupled with an oxygen atom. CMBL is inhibited by PCMB (p-chloromercuribenzoate) and is encoded by a gene which maps to human chromosome 5p15.2. Furthermore, CMBL converts the prodrug olmesartan medoxomil into its pharmacologically active metabolite olmerstatan, which is an angiotensin receptor blocker, in the liver and intestine. CMBL can also activate beta-lactam antibiotics faropenem medoxomil and lenampicillin. CMBL is widely expressed, with the highest levels in the liver, followed by the kidney, small intestine and the colon.

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-2 (Serpine2) which inhibits thrombin, plasmin and plasminogen activators is a part of the Serpin superfamily of the serine protease inhibitors. Serpine2 is able to transform human embryonic kidney cells into neuron-like cells. Furthermore, Serpine2's over expression in mice leads to progressive neuronal and motor dysfunction.

Delta-Like4, also known as DLL4 is implicated in the Notch signaling pathway as Notch ligand. Consequently DLL4 negatively regulates endothelial cell proliferation, migration as well as angiogenic sprouting. DLL4 is vital for retinal progenitor proliferation and also required for suppressing rod fates in late retinal progenitors and for proper generation of other retinal cell types. Furthermore, at some stage in the spinal cord neurogenesis, DLL4 inhibits V2a interneuron fate.

IL11 is a member of the gp130 family of cytokines. These cytokines drive the assembly of multisubunit receptor complexes, all of which contain at least one molecule of the transmembrane signaling receptor IL6ST (gp130). IL-11 is shown to stimulate the T-cell-dependent development of immunoglobulin-producing B cells. It is also found to support the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocyte progenitor cells.

Interleukin-13 is a pleiotropic regulatory cytokine, which shares many of the properties of Interleukin-4. IL-13 is produced primarily by activated T lymphocytes and acts via specific cell surface receptor complexes. Its biological activities include the stimulation of B-cell proliferation and differentiation and the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses.

IL-31 produced by activated Th2-type T cells, cooperates with a heterodimeric receptor consisting of IL-31 Receptor Anatagonist and Onconstatin-M Receptor that is continuesly expressed on epithelial cells and keratinocytes. IL-31 plays a role in the promotion of allergic skin disorders and in regulating other allergic diseases, such as asthma. IL-31 is involved in the itching sensation and endorses the scratching behavior in NC/Nga mice with atopic dermatitis. IL-31 expression is connectd with CLA(+) T cells and contributes to the development of atopic dermatitis-induced skin inflammation and pruritus. IL-31 is a powerful inducer of proinflammatory mediators in human colonic SEMFs. IL-31 takes part as a proinflammatory cytokine derived from Th2 cells.
Serum IL-31 level is higher in patients with atopic dermatitis. IL-31 is involved in a broad range of immune- & non-immune cells & possesses potential pleiotropic physiological functions, including regulating hematopoiesis & immune response, causing inflammatory bowel disease, airway hypersensitivity & dermatitis.

IFN-gamma produced by lymphocytes activated by specific antigens or mitogens.
IFN-gamma, in addition to having antiviral activity, has important immunoregulatory functions, it is a potent activator of macrophages, and has antiproliferative effects on transformed cells and it can potentiate the antiviral and antitumor effects of the type I interferons.

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.

Human IL-17A/F is a 40kDa glycoprotein which is secreted as a disulfide-linked heterodimer. IL-17A/F consists of two proteins of the IL-17 family, IL-17A and IL17F. Proteins of the 6 homodimeric IL17 family show a cysteine knot motif that contains two disulfide-bonds. Human IL17A is produced as a 155 a.a precursor that includes a 23 amino acids signal sequence and a 132 amino acid chain that includes an N-linked glycosylation site. Human IL17F is produced as a 153 amino acid precursor with a 20 amino acid signal sequence and a 133 amino acid region. Similar to IL17A, IL17F also has an N-linked glycosylation site. Both proteins (IL17A & IL17F) share 50% amino acid sequence identity. Human IL17A & IL17F show approximately 60% homology in their amino acid sequence to mouse IL-17A and IL-17F. Interleukin-17A/F and IL17A, IL17F homodimers are manufactured by activted CD4+ T cells, called Th17. IL-23 causes Th17 lymphocytes to manufacture IL-17A/F. IL17RA and IL17RC form a heterodimer for the binding of IL17A and IL17F. IL-17A/F binds IL-17RA. Interleukin-17A/F induces chemokine production and airway neutrophilia with intermediate potency between IL17A (most potent) and IL17F (least potent).

CD5 antigen-like (CD5L) participates in the regulation of the immune system. CD5L functions as an inhibitor of apoptosis. CD5L is expressed in the spleen, lymph node, thymus and bone marrow.

CD27 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. CD27 is necessary for initiation and long-term maintenance of T cell immunity. CD27 binds to ligand CD70, and has a crucial role in regulating B-cell activation and immunoglobulin synthesis. The CD27 receptor transduces signals which result in the activation of NF-kappaB and MAPK8/JNK. Adaptor proteins TRAF2 and TRAF5 mediate the signaling process of CD27. CD27-binding protein (SIVA), which is a proapoptotic protein, can bind to the CD27 receptor and is believed to have a significant role in the apoptosis induced by CD27.

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) is an important foetal growth hormone.IGF-II is made by theca cells during gestation. IGF-II binds the sink IGF-II receptor (IGF2R) which results in IGF-II degradation.IGF-II also engages the IGF-I receptor (IGF1R) to arbitrate embryonic growth.

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.

Il-6 is a cytokine with a wide variety of biological functions: it plays an essential role in the final differentiation of b-cells into ig-secreting cells, it induces myeloma and plasmacytoma growth, it induces nerve cells differentiation, in hepatocytes it induces acute phase reactants.