Search results

Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3 also known as NCR3 is a natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) which assists NK cells in the lysis of tumor cells. Moreover, NCR3 interacts with CD3-zeta (CD247), a T-cell receptor. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the 5' untranslated region of NCR3 has been related with mild malaria suceptibility. Three transcript variants encoding various isoforms have been found for this gene.

YY1 Transcription Factor, also known as YY1, is a part of the GLI-Kruppel class of zinc finger proteins. YY1 has a positive and negative effect on a various cellular and viral genes by binding to sites overlapping the transcription start site. YY1 leads histone deacetylases and histone acetyltransferases to a promoter in order to activate or repress the promoter.

This gene is a member of the EPO/TPO family and encodes a secreted, glycosylated cytokine composed of four alpha helical bundles. The protein is found in the plasma and regulates red cell production by promoting erythroid differentiation and initiating hemoglobin synthesis. This protein also has neuroprotective activity against a variety of potential brain injuries and antiapoptotic functions in several tissue types.

ACTN1 encodes a nonmuscle, cytoskeletal, alpha actinin isoform and maps to the same site as the structurally similar erythroid beta spectrin gene. Alpha actinins belong to the spectrin gene superfamily which represents a diverse group of cytoskeletal proteins, including the alpha and beta spectrins and dystrophins. Alpha actinin is an actin-binding protein with multiple roles in different cell types. In nonmuscle cells, the cytoskeletal isoform is found along microfilament bundles and adherens-type junctions, where it is involved in binding actin to the membrane. In contrast, skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle isoforms are localized to the Z-disc and analogous dense bodies, where they help anchor the myofibrillar actin filaments.

Osteoprotegerin acts as decoy receptor for rankl and thereby neutralizes its function in osteoclastogenesis. OPG inhibits the activation of osteoclasts and promotes osteoclast apoptosis in vitro. Bone homeostasis seems to depend on the local rankl/opg ratio. Osteoprotegerin may also play a role in preventing arterial calcification. May act as decoy receptor for trail and protect against apoptosis. Trail binding blocks the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.

NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 5 (NDUFA5) is a member of the complex I NDUFA5 subunit family. The human NDUFA5 gene codes for the B13 subunit of complex I of the respiratory chain that transfers electrons from NADH to ubiquinone. The NDUFA5 protein localizes to the inner mitochondrial membrane as part of the seven component-containing, water soluble 'iron-sulfur protein' (IP) fraction of complex I, even though its exact role is undetermined.

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP-4) belongs to the insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) family. IGFBP4 includes an IGFBP domain and a thyroglobulin type-I domain. IGFBP4 binds both insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) I and II. IGFBP-4 circulates in the plasma in both glycosylated and non-glycosylated forms. IGFBPs can either inhibit or enhance the biological activities of IGF, or act in an IGF independent manner. IGFBP-4 is exceptional since it consistently inhibits several cancer cells in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that it may function as an apoptotic factor. IGFBP4 is produced by all colon cancer cells. Binding of IGFBP-4 prolongs the half-life of the IGFs and changes their interaction with cell surface receptors.

TAFA-2 is a 11 kDa secreted protein that belongs to the FAM19/TAFA family of chemokine-like proteins. Similar to other FAM19/TAFA family members, mature TAFA-1 contains 10 regularly spaced cysteine residues with the same pattern: CX7CCX13CXCX14CX11CX4CX5CX10C (C symbolizes a conserved cysteine residue and X symbolizes any noncysteine amino acid). Human TAFA-2 is 97% aa identical to mouse TAFA-2 and is expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), colon, heart, lung, spleen, kidney, and thymus, however its expression in the CNS is 50 to 1000 fold higher than in other tissues. The biological roles of TAFA family members have not yet been determined.

A 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

Acidic fibroblast growth factor 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, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. This protein functions as a modifier of endothelial cell migration and proliferation, as well as an angiogenic factor. It acts as a mitogen for a variety of mesoderm- and neuroectoderm-derived cells in vitro, thus is thought to be involved in organogenesis. Three alternatively spliced variants encoding different isoforms have been described. The binding growth factors are angiogenic agents in vivo and are potent mitogens for a variety of cell types in vitro. There are differences in the tissue distribution and concentration of these 2 growth factors.

4-1BBR is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. 4-1BB receptor contributes to the clonal expansion, survival, and development of T cells.4-1BBRcan also induce proliferation in peripheral monocytes, enhance T cell apoptosis induced by TCR/CD3 triggered activation, and regulate CD28 co-stimulation to promote Th1 cell responses. The expression of this receptor is induced by lymphocyte activation. TRAF adaptor proteins have been shown to bind to this receptor and transduce the signals leading to activation of NF-kappaB.

GH is a member of the somatotropin/prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the growth hormone 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 growth hormones, 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 growth hormone locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to growth hormone deficiency and short stature.

The enzyme horseradish peroxidase, found in horseradish, is used extensively in molecular biologyand in antibody amplification and detection, among other things. For example, "In recent years the technique of marking neurons with the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) has become a major tool. In its brief history, this method has probably been used by more neurobiologists than have used the Golgi stainsince its discovery in 1870." Horseradish peroxidase is also highly used in techniques such as Western blottingand ELISAs.
HRP is widely used as an enzymatic label in immunoassays. Usually, the enzyme is coupled to antibodies, lectins or haptens. Coupling to antibodies etc. may be performed through the carbohydrate side chains of the HRP.

Osteopontin is a glycoprotein that was primarilyfound in osteoblasts and takes part in bone remodeling, immune functions in fibroblasts, macrophages, & lymphocytes during inflammation and wound healing. SPP1 highlybinds to hydroxyapatite. SPP1 forms an integral part of the mineralized matrix. SPP1 is vital to cell-matrix interaction.
Secreted Phosphoprotein-1 protects against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury through late preconditioning. Expression of Ostepontin and CD44 in hepatocellular carcinoma is linked to advanced tumor stage &leads to prognosis information. SPP1 is the most over-expressed gene in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Secreted Phosphoprotein-1 overexpression is related with interstitial lung diseases.

The Argonaute protein is part of the RISC or RNA-induced silencing complex, as so, the protein has a key part in the slicing processes of RNA. The RNA interference (RNAi) is being held by RISC. Small non-coding RNA fragments bond to the Argonaute proteins, through base pairing, eventually leads to the cleavage of messenger RNA or translation suppression.

BPHL is a Serine hydrolase that is a part of the AB hydrolase superfamily which catalyzes the hydrolytic activation of amino acid ester prodrugs of nucleoside analogs. BPHL is expressed large quantities in liver and kidney and in minor quantities in heart, intestine and skeletal muscle. BPHL takes part in detoxification processes and is a specific alpha-amino acid ester hydrolase which favors small, hydrophobic, and aromatic side chains and does not have a strict necessity for the leaving group except for favoring a primary alcohol.

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.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the sn-2 position of membrane glycerophospholipids to liberate arachidonic acid (AA), a precursor of eicosanoids including prostaglandins and leukotrienes. The same reaction also produces lysophosholipids, which represent another class of lipid mediators.
The secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) family, in which 10 isozymes have been identified, consists of low molecular weight, Ca2+-requiring secretory enzymes that have been implicated in a number of biological processes, such as modification of eicosanoid generation, inflammation, and host defense.
This enzyme has been proposed to hydrolyze phosphatidylcholine (PC) in lipoproteins to liberate lyso- PC and free fatty acids in the arterial wall, thereby facilitating the accumulation of bioactive lipids and modified lipoproteins in atherosclerotic foci.
In mice, sPLA2 expression significantly influences HDL particle size and composition and demonstrate that an induction of sPLA2 is required for the decrease in plasma HDL cholesterol in response to inflammatory stimuli. Instillation of bacteria into the bronchi was associated with surfactant degradation and a decrease in large:small ratio of surfactant aggregates in rats.

TNFRSF14, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is a type I transmembrane protein. TNFRSF14 is expressed in peripheral blood T cells, B cells, monocytes and in various tissues enriched in lymphoid cells. TNFRSF14 operates as a co-stimulatory factor for the activation of lymphoid cells and as a deterrent to infection by herpesvirus. Additionally, TNFRSF14 encourages the proliferation of T cells, and triggers apoptosis of various tumor cells.

S100A8 is a part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a broad range of cells, and participate in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100A8 plays a role in the inhibition of casein kinase and as a cytokine. S100A8 altered expression is related with cystic fibrosis disease. S100A8 is a calcium-binding protein that has antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.S100A8 is crucial for resistance towards invasion by pathogenic bacteria. S100A8 up-regulates transcription of genes that are under the control of NF-kappa-B. S100A8 plays a role in the development of endotoxic shock in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. S100A8 endorses tubulin polymerization and promotes phagocyte migration and infiltration of granulocytes at sites of wounding. S100A8 takes part as a pro-inflammatory mediator in acute and chronic inflammation and up-regulates the release of IL8 and cell-surface expression of ICAM1.

IRF7 belongs to the interferon regulatory transcription factor (IRF) family. IRF7 plays a role in the transcriptional activation of virus-inducible cellular genes, including interferon beta chain genes. Inducible expression of IRF7 is largely restricted to lymphoid tissue.

PEDF is a noninhibitory serpin with neurotrophic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-tumorigenic properties. PEDF is a 50,000 dalton glycoprotein created and secreted in many tissues all the way through the body. A key component of the anti-angiogenic action of PEDF is the induction of apoptosis in proliferating endothelial cells. Additionally, PEDF is capable to inhibit the activity of angiogenic factors such as VEGF and FGF-2. The neuro-protective effects of PEDF are achieved through suppression of neuronal apoptosis induced by peroxide, glutamate, or other neurotoxins. The recognition of a lipase-linked cell membrane receptor for PEDF (PEDF-R) that binds to PEDF with high affinity should facilitate further elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of this pluripotent serpin. To date, PEDF-R is the only signaling receptor known to be used by a serpin family member. The unique range of PEDF activities associate it as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of vasculature related neurodegenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). PEDF in addition has the potential to be functional in the treatment of various angiogenesis-related diseases including a number of cancers.

RBP5 is a member of the Retinol-binding proteins family. Estimation of retinol-binding protein is used to determine visceral protein mass in nutritional studies related to health. RBP5 has a higher expression in the adult kidney and liver and to a lesser extent in the adult and fetal spleen, adult lymph nodes and appendix, and fetal liver and kidney. RBP5 expression is strongly decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.