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MYL9 is one of the numerous regulatory myosin light chains. Myosin which is a structural component of the muscle consists of 2 heavy chains and 4 light chains. MYL9 is a myosin light chain regulates muscle contraction by modulating the ATPase activity of myosin heads. MYL9 binds calcium and is activated by myosin light chain kinase. Regulatory myosin light chains regulate contraction in smooth muscle and non-muscle cells via phosphorylation by MLCK (myosin light chain kinase). Phosphorylation of regulatory myosin light chains is catalyzed by MLCK in the presence of calcium and calmodulin and it increases the actin-activated myosin ATPase activity, thus regulates the contractile activity.

Sclerostin (SOST) is a secreted glycoprotein with a C-terminal cysteine knot-like (CTCK) domain and sequence similarity to the DAN (differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma) family of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists. Sclerostin functions as a negative regulator of bone growth, by inhibiting bone formation. SOST is widely expressed at low levels, with highest levels in the bone, cartilage, kidney, liver, bone marrow and primary osteoblasts differentiated for 21 days. SOST gene defects cause sclerosteosis and bone dysplasia.

OTC is a member of the ATCase/OTCase family. OTC has a key part in the urea cycle, catalyzing the second step in this pathway: the transformation of L-orthinine and carbamoyl phosphate to L-citrulline. In humans, the urea cycle is a vital pathway to detoxification of ammonia. Alterations in the gene encoding OTC are linked to the X-linked disorder OTCD (ornithine carbamoyltransferase deficiency). OTCD disorder of the urea cycle is characterized by hyperammonemia.

IL-7 is a cytokine important for B and T cell development. This cytokine and the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) form a heterodimer that functions as a pre-pro-B cell growth-stimulating factor. This cytokine is found to be a cofactor for V(D)J rearrangement of the T cell receptor beta (TCRB) during early T cell development. This cytokine can be produced locally by intestinal epithelial and epithelial goblet cells, and may serve as a regulatory factor for intestinal mucosal lymphocytes. Knockout studies in mice suggested that this cytokine plays an essential role in lymphoid cell survival.

BTLA, also known as B And T Lymphocyte Associated, is an inhibitory molecule which is part of the Ig superfamily. BTLA is a type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein in the CD28 family of T cell costimulatory molecules. BTLA is a 3rd inhibitory receptor on T lymphocytes with resemblances to CTLA-4 & PD-1. Moreover, BTLA is a ligand for TNF (receptor) superfamily, TNFRSF14, and HVEM. BTLA-HVEM complexes negatively regulate T-cell immune responses.

Chromosome 10 Open Reading Frame 54, also known as C10ORF54 is part of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Like a transmembrane molecule, C10ORF54 is expressed in the bone on embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and on tumor cell surface as well. Accordingly, C10ORF54 supports the differentiation of ESC and ehhances BMP4 induced signaling in ESC, however C10ORF54 is also down regulated following to BMP4 exposure.

FKBP2 is part of the immunophilin protein family, which takes part in immunoregulation and basic cellular processes involving protein folding and trafficking. FKBP2 is a cis-trans prolyl isomerase that binds the immunosuppressants FK506 and rapamycin. FKBP2 functions as an ER chaperone and as a component of membrane cytoskeletal scaffolds.

Fractalkine soluble form is chemotactic for t-cells and monocytes, but not for neutrophils. Fractalkine membrane-bound form promotes adhesion of those leukocytes to endothelial cells. Fractalkine regulates leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium and binds to CX3CR1. Natural Human Fractalkine is produced as a long protein (373-amino acid) with an extended mucin-like stalk and a chemokine domain on top. The mucin-like stalk permits it to bind to the cell surface. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

TPRKB is a member of the CGI121/TPRKB family. TPRKB is localized to nucleus and cytoplasm and is ubiquitously expressed. TPRKB is known to cooperate with TP53RK/PRPK.

GHBP is a transmembrane receptor for GH. Binding of GH to the receptor leads to receptor dimerization and the activation of an intra- and intercellular signal transduction pathway leading to growth. A common alternate allele of this gene, called GHRd3, lacks exon three and has been well-characterized. Mutations in this gene have been associated with Laron syndrome, also known as the GH insensitivity syndrome (GHIS), a disorder characterized by short stature. Other splice variants, including one encoding a soluble form of the protein (GHRtr), have been observed but have not been thoroughly characterized.

CHGB is a neuroendocrine secretory granule protein, that is the precursor for other biologically active peptides. CHGB is part of the chromogranin/secretogranin protein family and is expressed in the adrenal medulla, and in pheochromocytoma.

MAPT is a neuronal microtubule associated protein localized mostly on axons.
MAPT promotes tubulin polymerisation and stabilizes microtubules, however it also serves to connect certain signalling pathways to the cytoskeleton. MAPT, in its hyperphosphorylated form, is the main part of paired helical filaments (PHF) and neurofibrillary lesions in Alzheimer''s disease (AD) brain.

IL-1Ra is the natural antagonist of the pro-inflammatory cytokines Interleukin-1? and Interleukin-1?. IL-1Ra is produced by a variety of cells including monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils and fibroblasts in response to the binding of various pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Collagen, a major component of the extracellular matrix, is a fibrous protein that provides tensile strength to tissues giving them structural integrity. Collagen and its derivative, gelatin, have been widely used in medical, pharmaceutical and consumer products for more than 100 years. The supply of these materials, created from animal remains, is both abundant and inexpensive. However, most formulations are not highly purified and have the potential to cause an inflammatory reaction in some product users. In addition, concerns have been raised over the last several years about the potential for contamination of bovine products with the agent that causes mad cow disease and its human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Animal collagens are subject to extensive modifications that continue over the life of the molecule in the extracellular space. These differences influence both the extractability of collagens from tissue and the biophysical characteristics of these collagens. As a result, collagens isolated from tissues exhibit significant lot-to-lot variability and, as bulk materials, are often analytically intractable. Products that contain animal-derived collagen can induce potentially harmful inflammatory or immune responses in humans and pose risk of contamination with viruses or prions, potentially life-threatening pathogens. Recombinant collagens are essentially identical to the native collagen protein thereby reducing the risk of inflammation, immune response, and disease as compared to animal-sourced collagen.

S100A6 is a member of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized either in the cytoplasm or the nucleus of a wide range of cells. S100 proteins are involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. There are at least 13 members in the S100 gene family, which are located as a cluster on chromosome 1q21. S100A6 function in stimulation of prolactin secretion and exocytosis. Chromosomal rearrangements and altered expression of the S100A6 gene are implicated in melanoma.

S100A7 is a member of the S-100 family of calcium binding proteins and is produced through a non-classical secretory pathway to the cytoplasm. S100A7 takes part in the regulation of several cellular courses, such as cell cycle, cell progression and cellular differentiation. S100A7 holds two EF-hand domains and is extremely upregulated in psoriatic epidermis, in addition to bladder squamous cell carcinoma and breast cancer tissue, signifying a probable part in carcinogenesis.

Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins (MIP) 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 officially named CCL3 and CCL4 respectively. Both are major factors produced by macrophages after they are stimulated with bacterial endotoxins. They activate human granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophilsand basophils) which can lead to acute neutrophilic inflammation. They also induce the synthesis and release of other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6 and TNF-a from fibroblasts and macrophages. The genes for CCL3 and CCL4 are both located on human chromosome 17.

PPIases catalyze the cis-trans isomerization of proline imidic peptide bonds in oligopeptides and accelerate the folding of proteins. Cyclophilin-A is a cyclosporin binding-protein and may play a role in cyclosporin A-mediated immunosuppression. Cyclophilin-A can also interact with several HIV proteins, including p55 gag, Vpr, and capsid protein, and has been shown to be necessary for the formation of infectious HIV virions. Multiple pseudogenes that map to different chromosomes have been reported.

DBI, also known as Acyl-CoA-binding protein isoform 2, is a binding inhibitor, which is regulated by hormones. DBI participates in lipid metabolism and in the displacement of beta-carbolines & benzodiazepines, which modulate signal transduction at type A gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors located in brain synapses. Moreover, during adipocyte differentiation the expression of DBI is significantly induced. DBI preforms as an acyl-CoA pool former and regulates LCFA (long-chain fatty acids) metabolism in peripheral tissues.

Akt1, also known as Akt or else protein kinase B (PKB) is an important molecule in mammaliancellular signaling. In humans, there are three genes in the "Akt family": Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3. Moreover, these enzymes are members of the serine/threonine-specific protein kinase family (EC2.7.11.1). Akt1 is involved in cellular survival pathways, by inhibiting apoptoticprocesses. Akt1 is also able to induce protein synthesis pathways, and is therefore a key signaling protein in the cellular pathways which lead to skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and general tissue growth. Since it can block apoptosis, and thereby promote cell survival, Akt1 has been implicated as a most important factor in numerous types of cancer. Akt (now also called Akt1) was at first identified as the oncogenein the transforming retrovirus, AKT8.

Myosin regulatory light chain 12A (MYL12A) has a vital role in regulation of both smooth muscle and nonmuscle cell contractile activity via its phosphorylation. The MYL12A protein is involved in cytokinesis, receptor capping, and cell locomotion.

The secreted polypeptide noggin, encoded by the NOG gene, binds and inactivates members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling proteins, such as bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4). By diffusing through extracellular matrices more efficiently than members of the TGF-beta superfamily, noggin may have a principal role in creating morphogenic gradients. Noggin appears to have pleiotropic effect, both early in development as well as in later stages. It was originally isolated from Xenopus based on its ability to restore normal dorsal-ventral body axis in embryos that had been artificially ventralized by UV treatment. The results of the mouse knockout of noggin suggest that it is involved in numerous developmental processes, such as neural tube fusion and joint formation. Recently, several dominant human NOG mutations in unrelated families with proximal symphalangism (SYM1) and multiple synostoses syndrome (SYNS1) were identified; both SYM1 and SYNS1 have multiple joint fusion as their principal feature, and map to the same region (17q22) as NOG. All NOG mutations altered evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of human noggin is highly homologous to that of Xenopus, rat and mouse.

Binds to tnfrsf13b/taci and tnfrsf17/bcma. tnfsf13/april binds to the same 2 receptors, together, they form a 2 ligands -2 receptors pathway involved in the stimulation of b- and t-cell function and the regulation of humoral immunity. a third b-cell specific baff-receptor (baffr/br3) promotes the survival of mature b-cells and the b-cell response.
B Lymphocyte Stimulator functions as a potent B-cell growth factor in costimulation assays.
Administration of BAFF Human recombinant to mice disrupts splenic B-cell and T-cell zones and results in elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin.

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a family of secreted signaling molecules that can induce ectopic bone growth. Many BMPs are part of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. BMPs were originally identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site. Based on its expression early in embryogenesis, the BMP encoded by this gene has a proposed role in early development. In addition, the fact that this BMP is closely related to BMP5 and BMP7 has lead to speculation of possible bone inductive activity.