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TARDBP binds both DNA and RNA and have numerous roles in transcriptional repression, pre-mRNA splicing and translational regulation. TARDBP was initially identified as a transcriptional repressor that binds to chromosomally integrated TAR DNA and represses HIV-1 transcription. TARDBP has also been identified in individuals diagnosed with chronic traumatic ncephalopathy, a condition which frequently mimics ALS and that has been associated with athletes who have experienced multiple concussions and other types of head injury. TARDBP may also be involved in microRNA biogenesis, apoptosis and cell division.

ANXA1 is part of the family of Ca(2+)-dependent phospholipid binding proteins which have a Mw between 35kDa-40kDa and are situated on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. ANXA1 protein has a Mw of 40kDa, with phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity to bind from two to four calcium ions with high affinity. Since phospholipase A2 is necessary for the biosynthesis of the potent mediators of inflammation, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, ANXA1 might have potential anti-inflammatory activity. ANXA1 promotes membrane fusion and iplays a role in exocytosis. The recognition of ANXA1 protein by immunocytochemical leads a simple, highly sensitive and specific assay for diagnosis of hairy cell leukemia.

Kallikrein-3 (KLK3) is a part of the kallikrein-related peptidase family. Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases having various physiological functions. Numerous kallikreins take part in carcinogenesis and some may be prospective cancer and other disease biomarkers. Kallikrein-3 is 1 of the 15 kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19 and is a protease present in seminal plasma. KLK3 hydrolyzes semenogelin-1 consequently leading to the liquefaction of the seminal coagulum. KLK3 acts normally in the liquefaction of seminal coagulum, probably by hydrolysis of the high molecular mass seminal vesicle protein. Serum level of the KLK3 protein, called PSA in the clinical setting, is beneficial in the diagnosis and monitoring of prostatic carcinoma.

Phospholipid scramblase (PLSCR1) is a member of the phospholipid scramblase family. PLSCR1 has a significant part in the antiviral reaction of IFN by intensifying and improving the IFN reaction via increasing expression of select subset of potent antiviral genes. PLSCR1 promotes cytokine-regulated cell proliferation and differentiation.

Hemoglobin Subunit Zeta (Hbz) or Hba-x is a alpha-like hemoglobin and part of the globin family. The protein is expressed and produced in the the yolk sac in early stages of embryonic development. Hemoglobin subunit zeta has 2 pseudogenes and 5 functional genes.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) is a zinc metallopeptidase vital for blood pressure control and salt and water metabolism.ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II by release of the terminal His-Leu which causes the vasoconstrictor activity of angiotensin to increase.ACE inactivates bradykinin, a potent vasodilator and has also a glycosidase activity which releases GPI-anchored proteins from the membrane by cleaving the mannose linkage in the GPI moiety.

ATF1, a cyclic-AMP dependent transcription factor, is expressed in a large selection of cell types and can dimerize with CREB. MSK1 and MSK2 protein kinases are essential for the stress-induced phosphorylation of transcription factors CREB and ATF1 in primary embryonic fibroblasts. Epidermal growth factor induction of c-jun expression needs ATF1 and MEF2 sites in the c-jun promoter.

Synovial Sarcoma, X Breakpoint 1 (SSX1) is a member of a family of highly homologous synovial sarcoma X (SSX) breakpoint proteins. SSX proteins are localized to the nucleus and expressed in testis and some types of cancers and, hence, they are classified as C/T (cancer/testis) antigens. These proteins may serve as transcriptional repressors. SSX1 genes are involved in the t (X;18) translocation typically found in all synovial sarcomas. This translocation leads to the fusion of the synovial sarcoma translocation gene on chromosome 18 to one of the SSX genes on chromosome X. These hybrid proteins are most likely responsible for transforming activity.

Syntaxin-2 (STX2) is a member of the syntaxin/epimorphin family of proteins. Syntaxin family members are cellular receptors for transport vesicles which participate in exocytosis in neutrophils. STX2 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and epithelial cell morphogenesis and activation. STX2 is a t-SNARE which localizes to the apical plasma membrane and intracellular vesicular structures. In addition, STX2, along with SNAP-23, is essential for regulated surfactant secretion.

BPNT1 belongs to the magnesium-dependent, lithium-sensitive phosphomono-esterase superfamily. BPNT1 catalyzes the conversion of PAPS (adenosine 3'-phosphate 5' phosphosulfate) to APS (adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate) and the conversion of PAP (3'(2')-phosphoadenosine 5' phosphate) to AMP (adenosine 5'-phosphate) using magnesium as a cofactor. BPNT1 is expressed everywhere but at maximum levels in brain and kidney. BPNT1 is potently inhibited by lithium, a drug used for the treatment of manic depression and bipolar affective disorder, which suggests that BPNT1 has a possible role in the etiology of mood disorders.

The IL-6 receptor complex is composed of two membrane glycoproteins: the low affinity receptor and the signaltransducing component. The soluble form of IL6R is found in the urine of healthy adult humans and the serum of HIV positive individuals, as well as in the cell culture supernatants of stimulated PBMC’s. This soluble form of IL6R results from either proteolytic cleavage from the membrane, or an isoform derived splice variant.

Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least eighteen structurally realted proteins that are involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cell growth, differentation, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family if type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. Four distinct genes encoding closely related FGF receptors, FGFR-1to -4 are known. Multiple forms of FGFR-1 to -3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGFR-1 and -2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the alpha isoform, or only IgII and IgIII, referred to as the ? isoform. Only the alpha isoform has been identified for FGFR-3 and FGFR-4. Additional splicing events for FGFR-1 to -3, involving the C-terminal half of the IgIII domain encoded by two mutually exclusive alternative exons, generate FGF receptors with alternative IgIII domains (IIIb and IIIc). A IIIa isoform which is a secreted FGF binding protein containing only the N-terminal half of the IgIII domain plus some intron sequences has also been reported for FGFR-1. Mutations in FGFR-1 to -3 have been found in patients with birth defects involving craniosynostosis.

Potassium Channel Tetramerisation Domain Containing 11 (KCTD11) is a 232 amino acid regulator of neuronal differentiation which induces growth arrest, apoptosis and the expression of p27 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor). KCTD11 is expressed most highly in cerebellum. KCTD11 functions as an antagonist of the Hedgehog pathway and activator of the caspase cascade and among its related super-pathways are Melatonin Signaling and Activation of cAMP-Dependent PKA.

TNFR2 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR2 is receptor with high affinity for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and approximately 5-fold lower affinity for homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha. TNFR2 mediates the majority of the metabolic effects of TNF-alpha. In addition, knockout studies in mice propose a role for TNFR2 in protecting neurons from apoptosis by stimulating antioxidative pathways. TNFR2 expression might have a significant role in the angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and metastasis of Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast.
There are 2 types of soluble TNF receptors: sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II, which act to neutralize the biological activities of TNF alpha and TNF beta. The levels of these soluble receptors seem to increase as a result of shedding of the extracellular domains of the membrane bound receptors. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women. TNFR2 and TNFR1 form a heterocomplex which mediates the recruitment of 2 anti-apoptotic proteins, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2, which possess E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. IAPs’ function in TNF-receptor signaling is unknown; nevertheless, c-IAP1 is believed to potentiate TNF-induced apoptosis by the ubiquitination and degradation of TNF-receptor-associated factor 2, which mediates anti-apoptotic signals. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 8 (TNFRSF8) is a receptor for TNFSF8/CD30L. TNFRSF8 has a role in the regulation of cellular growth and transformation of activated lymphoblasts. In addition, the TNFRSF8 protein regulates gene expression via activation of NF-kappa-B. TNFRSF8 being a regulator of apoptosis, induces cell death or proliferation, depending on the cell type.

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.

Procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer 1, also known as PCOLCE binds to the C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen and enhances procollagen C-proteinase activity. In addition, C-terminal processed part of PCPE (CT-PCPE) has a metalloproteinase inhibitory activity. Among the diseases which are associated with PCOLCE: bone fracture & oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

GH is a member of the prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the GH locus on chromosome 17 where they are interspersed in the same transcriptional orientation; an arrangement which is thought to have evolved by a series of gene duplications. The five genes share a remarkably high degree of sequence identity. Alternative splicing generates additional isoforms of each of the five GHs, leading to further diversity and potential for specialization. This particular family member is expressed in the pituitary but not in placental tissue as is the case for the other four genes in the GH locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to GH deficiency and short stature.

Insulin decreases blood glucose concentration. It increases cell permeability to monosaccharides, amino acids and fatty acids. It accelerates glycolysis, the pentose phosphate cycle, and glycogen synthesis in liver.

LIN28 plays an important role as a 'translational enhancer', leading specific mRNAs to polysomes and therefore increasing the competence of protein synthesis. LIN28 is a marker of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells and it enhances the efficiency of the formation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from human fibroblasts. LIN28 binds to the let-7 pre-miRNA and blocks production of the mature let-7 microRNA in mouse embryonic stem cells. Overexpression of LIN28 is associated with human germ-cell tumors.

Heparanase is an endo β-D-glucuronidase, which degrades heparan sulfate side chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in the extracellular matrix. Heparanase plays an important role in ECM degradation, facilitating the migration and extravasation of tumor cells and inflammatory leukocytes (1,2,3). Upon degradation, heparanase releases growth factors and cytokines that stimulate cell proliferation and chemotaxis (4,5). Heparanase is a heterodimer comprised of a 50 kDa subunit harboring the active site and a 8 kDa subunit. It is produced as a latent 65 kDa precursor and proteolytically processed to its active form (1,6). Heparanase is highly expressed in myeloid leukocytes (i.e. neutrophils) in platelets and in human placenta. Human heparanase was found to be upregulated in various types of primary tumors, correlating in some cases with increased tumor invasiveness and vascularity and with poor prospective survival (7,8).

GDF-5 is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. Mutations in this gene are associated with acromesomelic dysplasia, Hunter-Thompson type; brachydactyly, type C; and chondrodysplasia, Grebe type. These associations confirm that the gene product plays a role in skeletal development.

SARS Coronavirus is an enveloped virus containing three outer structural proteins, namely the membrane (M), envelope (E), and spike (S) proteins. Spike (S)-glycoprotein of the virus interacts with a cellular receptor and mediates membrane fusion to allow viral entry into susceptible target cells. Accordingly, S-protein plays an important role in virus infection cycle and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies.It has recently been shown that SARS is caused by a human coronavirus. Human coronaviruses are the major cause of upper respiratory tract illness in humans, such as the common cold. Coronaviruses are positive-stranded RNA viruses, featuring the largest viral RNA genomes known to date (27-31 kb). The first step in coronavirus infection is binding of the viral spike protein, a 139-kDa protein, to certain receptors on host cells. The spike protein is the main surface antigen of the coronavirus. The most prominent protein in the culture supernatants infected with SARS virus is a 46 kDa nucleocapsid protein. This suggests that the nucleocapsid protein is a major immunogen that may be useful for early diagnostics.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.VEGF activity has been mostly studied on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g. stimulation monocyte/macrophage migration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ).VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesis and cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.
Elevated levels of VEGF is linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in VEGF have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.