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Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. As its name implies, 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/ macrophagemigration, 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 mitogenesisand cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.
Elevated levels of this protein are linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

RRAS belongs to the Ras family which functions in signal transduction pathways. RRAS interacts with RASSF5, NCK1, Bcl-2, ARAF and RALGDS. RRAS binds GTP and GDP, and it has intrinsic GTPase activity. RRAS regulates the organization of the actin cytoskeleton

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.

Cytosolic and membrane-bound types of GST are encoded by 2 different supergene families. There are 8 classes of the soluble cytoplasmic mammalian GST: alpha, kappa, mu, omega, pi, sigma, theta and zeta. The mu class of enzymes functions in the detoxification of electrophilic compounds, including carcinogens, therapeutic drugs, environmental toxins and products of oxidative stress, by conjugation with glutathione. The genes encoding the mu class of enzymes are arranged in a gene cluster on chromosome 1p13.3 and aare highly polymorphic. These genetic differences can change an individual's resistance to carcinogens and toxins as well as affect the toxicity and efficacy of certain drugs. Null mutations of this class mu gene have been linked with the rise in a number of cancers.

Staphylokinase (SAK) is a 136-amino acidenzymefrom Staphylococcus aureus. It is positively regulated by the "agr" gene regulator. It activates plasminogen, which in turn can degrade various host proteins during infection.

L-lactate dehydrogenase (lldD) is present in a various organisms, including plants and animals. lldD is an oxidoreductase which catalyses the interconversion of pyruvate and lactate with concurrent interconversion of NADH and NAD+. Seeing that lldD can catalyze the oxidation of hydroxybutyrate, it is occasionally called Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase (HBD).

HIV-1 and HIV-2 appear to package their RNA differently. HIV-1 binds to any appropriate RNA whereas HIV-2 preferentially binds to mRNA which creates the Gag protein itself. This means that HIV-1 is better able to mutate. HIV-2 is transmitted in the same ways as HIV-1: Through exposure to bodily fluids such as blood, semen, tears and vaginal fluids.
Immunodeficiency develops more slowly with HIV-2.
HIV-2 is less infectious in the early stages of the virus than with HIV-1.
The infectiousness of HIV-2 increases as the virus progresses.
Major differences include reduced pathogenicity of HIV-2 relative to HIV-1, enhanced immune control of HIV-2 infection and often some degree of CD4-independence. Despite considerable sequence and phenotypic differences between HIV-1 and 2 envelopes, structurally they are quite similar. Both membrane-anchored proteins eventually form the 6-helix bundles from the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the ectodomain, which is common to many viral and cellular fusion proteins and which seems to drive fusion.
HIV-1 gp41 helical regions can form more stable 6-helix bundles than HIV-2 gp41 helical regions however HIV-2 fusion occurs at a lower threshold temperature (25°C), does not require Ca2+ in the medium, is insensitive to treatment of target cells with cytochalasin B, and is not affected by target membrane glycosphingolipid composition.

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.

ACADVL is an inner mitochondrial membrane enzyme that is part of the family of acyl-CoA dehydrogenases. ACADVL protein participates in lipid metabolism and has catalytic activity toward esters of long chain and very long chain fatty acids such as palmitoyl-CoA and stearoyl-CoA, and is involved in the first step of the fatty acid β-oxidation pathway. ACADVL deficiency in reduces myocardial fatty acid beta-oxidation and is related with cardiomyopathy.

Acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (ACAT1) is an enzyme member of the membrane-bound acyltransferase family and Sterol o-acyltransferase subfamily. The ACAT1 enzyme catalyzes the reversible formation of acetoacetyl-CoA from 2 molecules of acetyl-CoA. ACAT1 plays a part in lipoprotein compilation and dietary cholesterol absorption. Added to its acyltransferase activity, ACAT1 acts as a ligase.

Prostatic Acid Phosphatase or ACPP is part of a family of proteins called histidine acid phosphatase. ACPP enhances the hydrolyzation of many phosphate monoesters and proteins that are phosphorylated. In order to function best, ACPP needs a range of range of 4-6 pH, furthermore, L(+)-tartrate inhibits ACPP’s catalyzation. This enzyme can act as a lipid phosphatase as well and can inhibit lysophosphatidic acid in seminal plasma.

CTLA-4 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and encodes a protein which transmits an inhibitory signal to T cells. The protein contains a V domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized. The membrane-bound isoform functions as a homodimer interconnected by a disulfide bond, while the soluble isoform functions as a monomer. Mutations in this gene have been associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Graves disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis, celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, thyroid-associated orbitopathy, and other autoimmune diseases.

Haloacid dehalogenase-like hydrolase domain-containing protein 1A (HDHD1A) is a member of the adiponutrin family. HDHD1A is interesting because it is an X-linked gene that escapes X-inactivation. HDHD1A is particularly important in the perception of human X chromosome structural organization as well as the mechanism of X-inactivation.

Cathepsin F (CTSF) is a member of the peptidase C1 family. Cathepsins are papain family cysteine proteinases which are a main component of the lysosomal proteolytic system. The CTSF gene is ubiquitously expressed, and it maps to chromosome 11q13, close to the gene encoding cathepsin W. CTSF plays a role in normal protein catabolism. CTSF is involved in some degradative processes occurring in tumor progression since it is highly expressed in some cancer cell lines.

Cathepsin S (CTSS) belongs to the peptidase C1 family. CTSS is a lysosomal cysteine proteinase that participates in the degradation of antigenic proteins to peptides for presentation on MHC class II molecules. CTSS functions as an elastase over a broad pH range in alveolar macrophages.

MPI is a member of the mannose-6-phosphate isomerase type 1 family. Although MPI is expressed in all tissues, it can be found more abundantly in heart, brain and skeletal muscle. Localized to the cytoplasm, MPI exploits zinc as a cofactor and catalyzes the interconversion of fructose-6-phosphate and mannose-6-phosphate. Mutations in the MPI gene are the cause of carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome, type Ib.

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member D1 (AKR1D1) belongs to the AKR superfamily. The AKR family proteins are soluble NADPH oxidoreductases, which have vital roles in the metabolism of drugs, carcinogens and reactive aldehydes. AKR1D1 is also responsible for the catalysis of the 5-beta-reduction of bile acid intermediates and steroid hormones that carry a delta (4)-3-1 structure. AKR1D1 is highly expressed in the liver, colon and testis. Deficiency of the AKR1D1 enzyme may contribute to hepatic dysfunction.

Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D Synthase (HPGDS) belongs to the sigma class glutathione-S-transferase family. The HPGDS enzyme catalyzes the conversion of PGH2 to PGD2 and has a role in the production of prostanoids in the immune system and mast cells. The presence of the HPGDS enzyme can be utilized to identify the differentiation stage of human megakaryocytes. Furthermore, HPGDS is a prostaglandin involved in smooth muscle contraction/relaxation and an effective inhibitor of platelet aggregation, and the conjugation of glutathione with a extensive range of aryl halides and organic isothiocyanates. In addition, HPGDS displays low glutathione-peroxidase activity towards cumene hydroperoxide. HPGDS is expressed in a number of megakaryocytic cell lines but not in platelets. HPGDS is highly expressed in the adipose tissue, macrophages and placenta; however it is expressed at lower levels in the lung, heart, lymph nodes, appendix, bone marrow and fetal liver.

E2 17-beta-dehydrogenase 8 (HSD17B8) is a member of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family. In mice, the HSD17B8 protein is a 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase which can regulate the concentration of biologically active estrogens and androgens. HSD17B8 is preferentially an oxidative enzyme and inactivates E2, testosterone, and DHT. However, the HSD17B8 enzyme has some reductive activity and can synthesize E2 from E1. HSD17B8 may have a role in biosynthesis of fatty acids in mitochondria.

Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) catalyzes the primary and rate-limiting stage in tryptophan catabolism to N-formyl-kynurenine. IDO1 affects on various tryptophan substrates including D-tryptophan, and serotonin and is expressed in dendritic cells, monocytes, and macrophages. IDO1 takes part in a range of pathophysiological processes like neuropathology, antimicrobial and antitumor defense, immunoregulation, and antioxidant activity. IDO1 regulates T-cell behavior by its pericellular catabolization of the necessary amino acid tryptophan.

NNMT is part of the family of transferases, especially those transferring one-carbon group methyltransferases. NNMT is mostly expressed in the liver, and a lower expression is seen in the kidney, lung, skeletal muscle, placenta and heart. NNMT catalyzes the N-methylation of nicotinamide and other pyridines to form pyridinium ions. This activity is significant for biotransformation of many drugs and xenobiotic compounds. NNMT is accountable for the enzymatic activity which uses S-adenosyl methionine as the methyl donor. NNMT expression is related with tumor stage and DFS time in hepatocellular carcinoma cases. NNMT is a good candidate as a tumor marker of various kinds of cancers. NNMT serum levels have significance in the premature detection and in the management of patients with colorectal cancer.

NT5C2 (NT5B/PNT5) has a vital role in the maintenance of purine/pyrimidine nucleotides. NT5C2 contains a phosphotransferase active site which catalyzes the dephosphorylation of 6-hydroxypurine nucleoside 5'-monophosphates. Furthermore, NT5C2 regulates the level of inosine monophosphate (IMP) and guanosine monophosphate (GMP) pools inside cells by way of hydrolysis.

EMG1 is a 244 aa protein which has a role in ribosome biogenesis. EMG1 is a key protein in the small ribosomal subunit assembly, controls methylation during ribosome synthesis and takes part in pre-18S rRNA processing. EMG1 is localized to the nucleolus and a mutation in this gene is linked with Bowen-Conradi syndrome.

NUDT2 belongs to the MutT family of nucleotide pyrophosphatases, a subset of the larger NUDIX hydrolase family. NUDT2 conserves homeostasis by using water to cleave the metabolite NUDT symmetrically back into its original ATP and AMP molecules. In addition, NUDT2 is active towards other adenosine and diadenosine polyphosphates with four or more phosphate groups, however, not towards diadenosine triphosphate. NUDT2 has a role in heat shock and metabolic stress by regulating intracellular dinucleoside polyphosphate concentrations.