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SPARC, an acronym for “secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine”, is also known as osteonectin or BM-40. It is the founding member of a family of secreted matricellular proteins with similar domain structure. The 303 amino acid, 43 kDa protein contains a 17 aa signal sequence, an N-terminal acidic region that binds calcium, a follistatin domain containing Kazal-like sequences, and a C-terminal extracellular calcium (EC) binding domain with two EF-hand motifs. SPARC is produced by fibroblasts, capillary endothelial cells, platelets and macrophages, especially in areas of tissue morphogenesis and remodeling. SPARC shows context-specific effects, but generally inhibits adhesion, spreading and proliferation, and promotes collagen matrix formation. For endothelial cells, SPARC disrupts focal adhesions and binds and sequesters PDGF and VEGF. SPARC is abundantly expressed in bone, where it promotes osteoblast differentiation and inhibits adipogenesis.

VEGF-C, also known as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Related Protein (VRP), is a recently discovered VEGF growth factor family member that is most closely related to VEGF-D. The rat VEGFC cDNA encodes a pre-pro-protein of 416 amino acids residues.
It is almost identical to the mouse VEGF-C protein. Similar to VEGF-D, VEGF-C has a VEGF homology domain spanning the middle third of the precursor molecule and long N- and C-terminal extensions. In adults, VEGF-C is highly expressed in heart, placenta, ovary and small intestine. Recombinant rat VEGF-C, lacking the N- and C-terminal extensions and containing only the middle VEGF homology domain, forms primarily non-covalently linked dimers. This protein is a ligand for both VEGFR-2/KDR and VEGFR-3/FLT -4. Since VEGFR-3 is strongly expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells, it has been postulated that VEGF-C is involved in the regulation of the growth and/or differentiation of lymphatic endothelium. Although recombinant rat VEGF-C is also a mitogen for vascular endothelial cells, it is much less potent than VEGF-A.

ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 9 (ARL9) is a member of to 2 novel subfamilies coding for small GTPases that were found to be highly conserved among eukaryotes.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3, subunit I (EIF3I) is part of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF-3) complex, which is essential for numerous steps in the initiation of protein synthesis. The eIF-3 complex links with the 40S ribosome and facilitates the recruitment of eIF-1, eIF-1A, eIF-2: GTP: methionyl-tRNAi and eIF-5 to form the 43S pre-initiation complex (43S PIC). The eIF-3 complex stimulates mRNA recruitment to the 43S PIC and scanning of the mRNA for AUG recognition. The eIF-3 complex is also essential for disassembly and recycling of post-termination ribosomal complexes and subsequently prevents premature joining of the 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits prior to initiation. Among the diseases associated with EIF3I are clonorchiasis, and tonsillitis.

NFKB inhibitor interacting Ras-like 2 (NKIRAS2) is an inhibitor of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. NKIRAS2 is similar to the Ras-like small GTPases which associate with IkappaB. The Ras-like proteins- NKIRAS1 and NKIRAS2, interact with the PEST domains of I?B? and I?B? and reduce their rate of degradation. NKIRAS2 is an atypical Ras-like protein which functions as a potent regulator of NF-kappa-B activity by preventing the degradation of NF-kappa-B inhibitor beta (NFKBIB) by most signals, explaining why NFKBIB is more impervious to degradation.

Gastrokine-2 (GKN2) is expressed in the gastric mucosa. GKN2 forms a heterodimer with TFF1- disulfide linked. GKN2 interacts with TFF2.

Gamma-glutamylaminecyclotransferase (A2LD1) is an enzyme which converts gamma-glutamylamines to free amines and 5-oxoproline. A2LD1 demonstrates high activity toward gamma-glutamyl-epsilon-lysine, derived from the breakdown of fibrin and other proteins cross-linked by transglutaminases. A2LD1 assists in the proteolytic degradation of crosslinked fibrin by breaking down isodipeptide L-gamma-glutamyl-L-epsilon-lysine, which is a byproduct of fibrin degradation. The reaction catalyzed by the A2LD1 produces 5-oxo-L-proline and a free alkylamine.

MAPRE1 (EB1) is a member of the intermediate/early gene family. MAPRE1 was first identified by its binding to the APC protein, which is often mutated in familial and sporadic, forms of colorectal cancer. MAPRE1 localizes to microtubules, especially the growing ends, in interphase cells. During mitosis, MAPRE1 is associated with the centrosomes and spindle microtubules. MAPRE1 is involved in microtubule polymerization, and spindle function by stabilizing microtubules and anchoring them at centrosomes.

Fibrinogen Beta Chain 9 (FGB) is the beta component of fibrinogen, a blood-borne glycoprotein composed of 3 pairs of nonidentical polypeptide chains. When vascular injury accrues, fibrinogen is cleaved by thrombin to form fibrin which is found in abundance in blood clots.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (HNRNPA1) is a member of the A/B subfamily of ubiquitously expressed heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs). HNRNPA1 is involved in the packing of pre-mRNA into hnRNP particles, transport of poly(A) mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and may control splice site selection. The HNRNPA1 protein may also have a role in HCV RNA replication. In addition, HNRNPA1 is believed to have a key role in the formation of specific myometrial protein species in parturition.
The hnRNP proteins have distinctive nucleic acid binding properties. HNRNPA1 has 2 repeats of quasi-RRM domains that bind to RNAs. HNRNPA1 is one of the most copious core proteins of hnRNP complexes and it is restricted to the nucleoplasm. The HNRNPA1 protein, along with other hnRNP proteins, is exported from the nucleus, most likely bound to mRNA, and is immediately re-imported. The M9 domain of HNRNPA1 functions as both a nuclear localization and nuclear export signal.

IFIH1 is a DEAD box protein which is upregulated in response to treatment with beta-interferon and a protein kinase C-activating compound, mezerein. Irreversible reprogramming of melanomas can be attained by therapy with both these agents; treatment with either agent alone only achieves reversible differentiation. DEAD box proteins are implicated in several cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure such as translation initiation, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly.

SIVA1, also referred to asApoptosis regulatory protein Siva isoform 1, is a death domain-containing proapoptotic protein. It is known as glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related gene, and also as an intracellular ligand of CD27, which are both members of the TNFR family expressed on lymphoid cells. There isn’t much known about the signalling pathway underlying the Siva-induced apoptosis.SIVA1 expression is modulated in multiple pathological processes.

Canopy 3 homolog (CNPY3) is a 271 a.aToll-like receptor specific co-chaperone for HSP90B1. CNPY3 is necessitated for proper TLR folding, excluding that of TLR3, and so controls TLR exit from the endoplasmic reticulum. Therefore, CNPY3i s required for both innate and adaptive immune responses.

HTATIP2 is part of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family which acts as a tumor suppressor in metabolic suppression, inhibition of angiogenesis and induces the expression of apoptosis related genes Bad and Siva. HTATIP2 cooperates with the activation domain of HIV-1 TAT and enhances its transcription by phosphorylating RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Defects in HTATIP2 are related with hepatocellular carcinomas and apoptotic resistant tumor cells, implicating a probable use for HTATIP2 in antitumor therapy.

Filamin is a large (270kd) dimeric actin crosslinking protein from a variety of sources, which helps to stabilize the 3D cortical actin network. The fundamental structure of filamin is well conserved and consists of an actin binding domain at the N-terminus followed by a C-terminal rod domain consisting of numerous repeat segments ranging from 4 in C. elegans to 24 in mammalian cells. Each repeat in the rod domain consists of roughly 100 residues and forms an immunoglobulin like fold. Such immunoglobulin folds have been found in a variety of proteins and are responsible for protein-protein interactions. Filamin Human actin-binding protein (ABP), aka filamin, crosslinks actin filaments into orthogonal networks in cortical cytoplasm and participates in the anchoring of membrane proteins for the actin cytoskeleton. Mammalian filamin interacts directly with at least 30 proteins such as transmembrane receptors, second messenger-associated proteins, protein kinases, phosphatases and cytoskeletal proteins and these interactions have been shown to require one or more of the repeat elements in the rod domain.

AFP is normally synthesized in the liver, intestinal tract, and yolk sac of the fetus. Antibody to AFP has been shown to be useful in detecting hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and germ cell neoplasms, especially yolk sac tumors.

Ataxin 3 is otherwise known as Machado-Joseph disease protein 1. Machado–Joseph disease is a hereditary autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder. ATXN3 contains trinucleotide CAG repeats in the coding region, and the expansion of these repeats from the normal 13-36 to 68-79 causes the Machado-Joseph disease. ATXN3 is a poly-ubiquitin-binding protein whose cellular turnover is regulated by its catalytic activity.
In addition, ATXN3 is a proteasome-associated factor which mediates the degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. ATXN3 folds reversibly using a single intermediate; partial destabilization of ATXN3 by chemical denaturation causes the formation of fibrillar aggregates by the non-pathological variant.
Ataxin-3 interacts with the major histone acetyltransferases cAMP-response-element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein, p300, and p300/CREB-binding protein-associated factor and hinders transcription by these coactivators.

Ebolavirus (EVD) belongs to the Filoviridae family of proteins which is comprised of a single-strand, non-infectious RNA genome. EVD genome is about 19,000 base pairs long and covers 7 genes in the order 3'-UTR-NP-VP35-VP40-GP-VP30-VP24-L-5'-UTR. There are 4 different ebolaviruses such as: Zaire (EBO-Z), Sudan (EBO-S), Cote d’Ivoire (EBO-CI) and Reston (EBO-R) that differ in amino acid sequence and location of where the gene overlaps. Similar to filoviruses and ebolavirions, EVD is a filamentous element that could appear in 3 forms: shepherd's crook, U shape or a 6 shape. Ebolaviruses may be coiled, toroid, or branched. Most ebolavirions are 80nm wideand 14,000nm long.

PTX-2 or Pentraxin-2 is a phylogenetically conserved protein, commonly moving with homopentameric blood protein or with a protein that recognizes receptors of the innate immune system. The protein’s specific binding abilities may show that PTX-2 is specially bound in sites where injury accrued, therefore helps to eliminate damaged tissue by ways that are not phlogistics.

TGFB2 is a 27.08 kDa protein having two identical 118 amino acid peptide chains linked by a single disulfide bond. TGFB2 is part of a family of five related cytokines that have an extensive variation of normal and neoplastic cells, indicating the importance of these homo-dimmer proteins as multi-functional regulators of cellular activity. The three mammalian isoforms of TGF-β (TGFb1, TGFb2 and TGFb3) signal through the same receptor and stimulate similar biological responses. They are involved in physiological processes as embryogenesis, tissue remodelling and wound healing.

CRK belongs to the signaling adapter protein family which binds to several tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. CRK is involved in many cellular processes such as apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. CRK has a modular domain architecture consisting of an SH2 followed by two SH3 domains (src-homology domains). The N-terminal SH2 domain of the CRK protein functions as a positive regulator of transformation whereas the C-terminal SH3 domain functions as a negative regulator of transformation.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 11 (CXCL11) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokinen family. I-TAC is highly expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes, pancreas and liver, with moderate levels in thymus, spleen and lung and low expression levels were in small intestine, placenta and prostate. Gene expression of CXCL11 is strongly induced by IFN-g and IFN-b, and weakly induced by IFN-a. The I-TACchemokine elicits its effects on its target cells by interacting with the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR3, with a higher affinity than do the other ligands for this receptor, CXCL9 and CXCL10. I-TAC is chemotactic for activated T cells.The CXCL11 gene is located on human chromosome 4 along with many other members of the CXC chemokine family.