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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.

Connective Tissue Growth Factor is a part of the CCN family of proteins. The CCN family presently consists of six members in human also known as: Cyr61 (Cystein rich 61), CTGF, Nov (Nephroblastoma Overexpressed gene), WISP-1, 2 and 3 (Wnt-1 Induced Secreted Proteins). CCN proteins are matricellular proteins which are involved in the regulation of various cellular functions including: proliferation, differentiation, survival, adhesion and migration. They are expressed in derivatives of the three embryonic sheets and are implicated in the development of kidney, nervous system, muscle, bone marrow, cartilage and bone. During adulthood, they are implicated in wound healing, bone fracture repair, and pathologies such as: tumorigenesis,fibrosis and vascular ailments. Full length secreted CCN proteins can show an antiproliferative activity, whereas truncated isoforms are likely to stimulate proliferation and behave as oncogenes.
The full length protein consists of 4 modules: Module I shares partial identity with the N-terminal part of the Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins (IGFBPs).
Module II includes a stretch of 70amino acid residues – which shares sequence identity with the Von Willebrand Factor Type C repeat (VWC).
Module III contains sequences sharing identity with the Thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSP1) (WSXCSXXCG), which is thought to be implicated in the binding of sulfated glycoconjugates and to be important for cell adhesion.
Module IV, also designated CT, is encoded by exon5. It is the leasts conserved one of the four domains at the level of nucleotide sequence, but it appears to be critical for several of the biological functions attributed to the CCN proteins.
Proteolysis of the secreted full-length CCN proteins that has been reported in the case of CCN2 and CCN3 might result in the production of CCN-derived peptides with high affinity for ligands that full-length CNN proteins bind only poorly. Amino-truncated CCN2 isoforms were biologically active whereas no specific biological activity has been attributed to the truncated CCN3. Although the molecular processes underlying the production of these secreted isoforms is presently unknown, it is important to note that proteolysis occur at the same amino acid residues in both CCN2 and CCN3. An elevated expression of CCN2 has also been detected by Northern blotting in human invasive mammary ductal carcinomas, dermatofibromas, pyogenic granuloma, endothelial cells of angiolipomas and angioleiomyomas, and in pancreatic tumors. A study performed with chondrosarcomas representative of various histological grades established that CCN2 expression was closely correlated with increasing levels of malignancy.
In agreement with CCN2 playing a role in brain tumor angiogenesis, immunocytochemistry studies indicated that both glioblastoma tumor cells and proliferating endothelial cells stained positive for CCN2. In astrocytomas, CCN2 expression was particularly elevated in high grade tumors, with a marked effect of CCN2 on cell proliferation. Downregulation of CCN2 expression in these cells was associated with a growth arrest at the G1/S transition while over-expression of CCN2 induced a two-fold increase of the number of cells in the G1 phase. Gene profiling analysis allowed to identify a set of about 50 genes whose expression might account for the proliferative activity of CCN2 in these cells.
CCN2 was seen in a higher proportion of mononuclear cells of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), are a family of cell surface glycoproteins found on Natural Killer (NK) Cells, which are important cells of the immune system. They control the killing function of these cells by interacting with MHC class I molecules, which are expressed on all cell types. This interaction allows them to identify virally infected cells or tumor cells that have a distinctive low level of Class I MHC on their surface. The majority of KIRs are inhibitory, which means that their recognition of MHC suppresses the cytotoxic activity of their NK cell. Only a limited number of KIRs have the capacity to activate cells.
The KIR genes are found in a cluster on chromosome 19q13.4 within the 1 Mb leukocyte receptor complex (LRC). KIR molecules are extremely polymorphic, meaning their gene sequences differ significantly between individuals, so that different individuals have different arrays/repertoires of KIR genes.
The KIR proteins are categorized by the number of extracellular immunoglobulin domains (2D or 3D) and by whether they have a long (L) or short (S) cytoplasmic domain. KIR proteins with the long cytoplasmic domain transduce inhibitory signals upon ligand binding via an immune tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM). Whereas KIR proteins with the short cytoplasmic domain lack the ITIM motif and instead associate with the TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein to transduce activating signals.
KIR2DL1 is an inhibitory Killer Cell Ig-like Receptor (KIR, previously called p58 KIR, p58.1, cl-42, NKAT1, or KIR-K6), which recognizes class I MHC molecules (HLA-Cw2, -Cw4, -Cw5, and Cw6). The extracellular domain of KIR2DL1 was over expressed as insoluble protein aggregates (inclusion bodies).

IL10 is a cytokine produced primarily by monocytes and to a lesser extent by lymphocytes. This cytokine has pleiotropic effects in immunoregulation and inflammation. It down-regulates the expression of Th1 cytokines, MHC class II Ags, and costimulatory molecules on macrophages. It also enhances B cell survival, proliferation, and antibody production. This cytokine can block NF-kappa B activity, and is involved in the regulation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Knockout studies in mice suggested the function of this cytokine as an essential immunoregulator in the intestinal tract.

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.

Transforming growth factor betas (TGF Betas) mediate many cell-cell interactions that occur during embryonic development. Three TGF Betas have been identified in mammals. TGF Beta 1, TGF Beta 2 and TGF Beta 3 are each synthesized as precursor proteins that are very similar in that each is cleaved to yield a 112 amino acid polypeptide that remains associated with the latent portion of the molecule.

Nephroblastoma Overexpressed (NOV) which is encoded by the NOV gene is a part of the CCN (CTGF/CYR61/NOV) family. NOV takes part in reducing tumorgenicity and proliferation of certain cancer cell lines. NOV interacts with numerous proteins and is involved in both internal and external cell signaling. NOV is expressed in particular tumors, including Wilm’s tumor and most nephroblastomas and is also exerts proangiogenic activities.

GADD45GIP1 is a nuclear protein which takes part in apoptosis control. GADD45GIP1 is expressed in several tissues, such as heart, thyroid, trachea, kidney, ovary, pancreas, testis and stomach and acts as a negative regulator of G1 to S phase cell cycle production by collaborating with GADD45 proteins to inhibit the activity of cyclin-dependent kinases.

FGF-23 is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities and are involved in a variety of biological processes including embryonic development, cell growth, tissue repair, morphogenesis, tumor growth and invasion. FGF-23 inhibits renal tubular phosphate transport. This gene was identified by its mutations associated with autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR), an inherited phosphate wasting disorder. a high level expression of FGF23 was found in oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia (OHO), a phenotypically similar disease caused by abnormal phosphate metabolism.

Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. MCSF induces cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. MCSF plays a role in immunological defenses, bone metabolism, lipoproteins clearance, fertility and pregnancy.

Transforming growth factor betas (TGF Betas) mediate many cell-cell interactions that occur during embryonic development. Three TGF Betas have been identified in mammals. TGF Beta 1, TGF Beta 2 and TGF Beta 3 are each synthesized as precursor proteins that are very similar in that each is cleaved to yield a 112 amino acid polypeptide that remains associated with the latent portion of the molecule.

PLGF is a growth factor active in angiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth, stimulating their proliferation and migration. It binds to receptor vegfr-1/flt1.

Fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF-13) is a member of the large FGF family which has at least 23 members. Most of its members are binding growth factors with a core 120 amino acid (aa) FGF domain which allows for a mutual tertiary structure. Human and mouse FGF13 are 245 aa proteins which arise from genes that show N-terminal alternative splicing. Transcripts for 245 aa, 199 aa, 226 aa, 192 aa and 255 aa have been identified in human and mouse, with almost complete cross-species aa identity among all splice forms (greater than 98%). FGF13 is identified in the fetal ependyma, dorsal root and cranial ganglia, both atrial and ventricular myocardium, and in renal collecting duct-associated mesenchyme.

CMRF35-like molecule 2 precursor (CD300E) is a member of the CD300 family. CD300E is a 205 amino acid single-pass type I membrane protein which contains one Ig-like V-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain. While interacting with DAP12, CD300E probably performs as an activating receptor. CD300E is present on the surface of mature hematopoietic cells of the monocyte & myeloid lineages.

Galectin-3 mediates with the alpha-3, beta-1 integrin the stimulation by cspg4 of endothelial cells migration. Galectin-3 plays an necessary part during the acquisition of vasculogenic mimicry and angiogenic properties associated with melanoma progression. LGALS3 overexpression is highly expressed in early stages of papillary carcinoma, and its expression intensity declines during tumor progression. Serum levels of LGALS3 are high in patients with thyroid malignancy but there is considerable overlap in serum LGALS3 concentrations between those with benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease. LGLAS3 takes part as an immune regulator to inhibit T-cell immune responses and promote tumor growth, as a result providing a new mechanism for tumor immune tolerance.

GRAP2 belongs to the GRB2/Sem5/Drk family. GRAP2 is an adaptor-like protein has a part in leukocyte-specific protein-tyrosine kinase signaling. Similar to related family member, GRB2-related adaptor protein contains an SH2 domain flanked by two SH3 domains and it interacts with other proteins, for example GRB2-associated binding protein 1 (GAB1) and the SLP-76 leukocyte protein (LCP2), through its SH3 domains.

Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. MCSF induces cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. MCSF plays a role in immunological defenses, bone metabolism, lipoproteins clearance, fertility and pregnancy.

CD3D, also known as Delta Polypeptide (TiT3 Complex), is a single-pass type 1 membrane protein. CD3D jointly with CD3-zeta, CD3-gamma, CD3-epsilon and the T-cell receptor alpha/beta and gamma/delta heterodimers, creates the T-cell receptor-CD3 complex. Once antigen presenting cells (APCs) activate T-cell receptor (TCR), TCR-mediated signals are transferred through the cell membrane by the CD3 chains CD3D, CD3E, CD3G and CD3Z. Likewise, CD3D takes an important part in adaptive immune response and participates in thymocyte differentiation.

Energy Homeostasis Associated (ENHO) participates in glucose homeostasis maintenance and lipid metabolism. ENHO is expressed in the liver and the brain. The role of ENHO in obesity or diabetes is studied.

Obestatin is a hormone that is produced in the cells lining the stomach and small intestine of several mammals including humans; it drastically reduces appetite in mice and is expected to do the same in humans. Obestatin is a peptide hormone - a relatively small protein. It is encoded by the same gene that also encodes ghrelin, a peptide hormone that increases appetite. The protein produced by that gene breaks into two smaller peptides, ghrelin and obestatin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and is involved in regulating growth hormone release. Ghrelin is derived from a preprohormone called preproghrelin, which also generates a second peptide called obestatin. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR39 and is involved in satiety and decreased food intake.

SNF8 belongs to the SNF8 family of vacuolar sorting proteins and is restricts to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. SNF8 is a subunit of the endosomal sorting complex essential for transport II (ESCRT-II), which is necessary for multivesicular body (MVB) formation and sorting of endosomal cargo proteins into MVBs. The MVB pathway facilitates transfer of transmembrane proteins into the lumen of the lysosome for degradation. Additionally, the ESCRT-II complex takes part in transcription regulation by contributing to derepression of transcription by RNA polymerase II, probably by its interface with ELL.

TYRO3 Protein Tyrosine Kinase or TYRO3 is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase. TYRO3 has crucial role in essential processes such as cell migration, actin reorganization and cell survival. It is activated and signaled by MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT that expedites the cellular functions of protein.

CBFB beta subunit is a heterodimeric core-binding transcription factor that is part of the PEBP2/CBF transcription factor family which controls a host of genes particulary to hematopoiesis and osteogenesis. CBFB is a non-DNA binding regulatory subunit which increases DNA binding by alpha subunit.