Search results

Tumor necrosis factor is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction. TNF is mainly secreted by macrophages.
TNF causes apoptotic cell death, cellular proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, tumorigenesis and viral replication, TNF is also involved in lipid metabolism, and coagulation. TNF's primary role is in the regulation of immune cells.
Dysregulation and, in particular, overproduction of TNF have been implicated in a variety of human diseases- autoimmune diseases, insulin resistance, and cancer.

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.

LAIR1 is a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of the majority of human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes including T cells, B cells, NK cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. LAIR-1 functions as an inhibitory receptor in NK cells, T cells and B cells. Inhibitory receptors control the immune response to prevent lysis of cells recognized as self. Lair1 consists of a leader sequence, extracellular domain, transmembrane domain, cytoplasmic region.LAIR1 is a member of both the immunoglobulin superfamily and the leukocyte-associated inhibitory receptor family. LAIR1 maps to a region of 19q13.4 labeled the leukocyte receptor cluster, which contains at least 29 genes encoding leukocyte-expressed receptors of the immunoglobulin superfamily.

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.

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.

Stem cell factor / KIT ligand (SCF) is a cytokine which binds CD117(c-Kit). SCF is also known as "steel factor" or "c-kit ligand". SCF exists in two forms, cell surface bound SCF and soluble (or free) SCF. Soluble SCF is produced by the cleavage of surface bound SCF by metalloproteases. SCF is a growth factor important for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and other hematopoietic progenitor cells. One of its roles is to change the BFU-E (burst-forming unit-erythroid) cells, which are the earliest erythrocyte precursors in the erythrocytic series, into the CFU-E (colony-forming unit-erythroid).

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.

Chromosome 19 Open Reading Frame 80 (C19ORF80) is a significant new regulator of lipid metabolism which regulates serum triglyceride levels, possibly by promoting ANGPTL3 cleavage. C19ORF80 belongs to the ANGPTL protein family. C19ORF80 is a hormone which specifically promotes pancreatic beta cell proliferation and beta cell mass expansion, thus improving glucose tolerance. C19ORF80 is mainly expressed in the liver; it is also expressed in adipose tissues. C19ORF80 is expressed in response to food intake and stimulated by insulin.

All three VEGF receptors belong to the class III subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) characterised by the seven immunoglobulin-like loops in the extracellular domain. The expression of VEGFR-1 to -3 is almost exclusively restricted to hematopoietic precursor cells, vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells and to the monocyte/macrophage lineage. They play key roles in vasculogenesis, hematopoiesis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. The FLT-4 cDNA encodes a 1298 amino acid (aa) residue precursor protein with a 23 aa residue signal peptide. Mature VEGFR-3/FLT-4 is composed of a 751 aa residue extracellular domain, a 22 aa transmembrane domain and a 482 aa residue cytoplasmic domain. Both VEGF family members VEGF-C and VEGF-D have been shown to bind and activate VEGFR-3/FLT-4. The Flt-4 gene is widely expressed in the early embryo but becomes restricted to the lymphatic endothelial a latter stages of development. It is important for lymphangiogenesis.

Thioredoxins are small disulphide-containing redox proteins (within the conserved Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys active site) that have been found in all the kingdoms of living organisms. Thioredoxin contains a single disulfide active site and serves as a general protein disulphide oxidoreductase. Thioredoxins are involved in the first unique step in DNA synthesis. It interacts with a broad range of proteins by a redox mechanism based on reversible oxidation of two cysteine thiol groups to a disulphide, accompanied by the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The net result is the covalent interconversion of a disulphide and a dithiol. Trx also provides control over a number of transcription factors affecting cell proliferation and death through a mechanism referred to as redox regulation. It has been suggested that thioredoxin may catalyze the formation of correct disulfides during protein folding because of its ability to act as an efficient oxidoreductant. This could be especially useful in

Lymphotoxin Beta Receptor, also known as LTBR takes part in signaling during the development of lymphoid and other organs, lipid metabolism, immune response, and programmed cell death. In addition, the activity of this receptor has been associated to carcinogenesis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for LTBR.

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.

IL1R2 is a cytokine receptor which is a part of the interleukin-1 receptor family. IL1R2 is expressed mainly by T cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts. IL1R2 binds IL1A, IL1B and IL1RN preventing them from binding to their regular receptors and thus inhibiting the transduction of their signaling. Also, Interleukin-4 antagonizes the activity of interleukin-1 by inducing the expression and release of this protein.

Ro 60 kDa autoantigen is an RNA-binding protein that binds to several small cytoplasmic RNA molecules known as Y RNAs. SSA2 may stabilize these RNAs from degradation. Sera taken from patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) often contains antibodies that react with the normal cellular SSA2 protein as if this antigen was foreign.

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.

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.

Carboxymethylenebutenolidase homolog (CMBL) is a cysteine hydrolase of the dienelactone hydrolase family which is highly expressed in the liver cytosol. CMBL is the human homolog of Pseudomonas dienelactone hydrolase, which is a protein that participates in the bacterial halocatechol degradation pathway. CMBL which preferentially cleaves cyclic esters activates medoxomil-ester prodrugs in which the medoxomil moiety is coupled with an oxygen atom. CMBL is inhibited by PCMB (p-chloromercuribenzoate) and is encoded by a gene which maps to human chromosome 5p15.2. Furthermore, CMBL converts the prodrug olmesartan medoxomil into its pharmacologically active metabolite olmerstatan, which is an angiotensin receptor blocker, in the liver and intestine. CMBL can also activate beta-lactam antibiotics faropenem medoxomil and lenampicillin. CMBL is widely expressed, with the highest levels in the liver, followed by the kidney, small intestine and the colon.

MMP-3 enzyme is also known as Stromelysin-1or as Transin-1 which hydrolyzes natural collagen at physiological pH and temperature. It dissolves the intervertebral nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus of Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disk . MMP-3 hydrolyzes components of the extracellular matrix like proteoglycan, laminin, fibronectin, gelatin and collagen types III, IV and IX. It also activates pro-MMP-9 and pro-MMP-8 and superactivates plasmin activated MMP-1. MMP-3 is secreted as a latent proenzyme and is activated by a variety of proteinases, e.g. plasmin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, cathepsin G or human neutrophil elastase. MMP-3 was found to be capable of activating the precursor of IL1-beta.

LGALS8 is a prostate-specific antigen that is solely overexpressed in malignant tumors and thus is a supplementary specific identifier of malignancies. LGALS8 is part of the galectin gene family which facilitates both cell-cell and cell matrix interactions in a method parallel to the selectin subgroup of C-type lectins.

IL1B or Interleukin-1b is made and produced by activated macrophages, IL-1B stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing il-2 release, b-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. IL1B proteins take part in the inflammatory response, being identified as endogenous pyrogens, and are reported to stimulate the release of prostaglandin from synovial cells.

MMP-3 enzyme is also known as Stromelysin-1or as Transin-1 which hydrolyzes natural collagen at physiological pH and temperature. It dissolves the intervertebral nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus of Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disk . MMP-3 hydrolyzes components of the extracellular matrix like proteoglycan, laminin, fibronectin, gelatin and collagen types III, IV and IX. It also activates pro-MMP-9 and pro-MMP-8 and superactivates plasmin activated MMP-1. MMP-3 is secreted as a latent proenzyme and is activated by a variety of proteinases, e.g. plasmin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, cathepsin G or human neutrophil elastase. MMP-3 was found to be capable of activating the precursor of IL1-beta.

The acute phase plasma protein ORM1 synthesized by the liver mediates the interaction between blood cells and endothelial cells. In addition, together with haptoglobin and C reactive protein, ORM1 regulates the extravasation of the cells through infection and inflammation. Expression of ORM1 is induced by acute-phase stimulatory mediators such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

Stem cell factor / KIT ligand (SCF) is a cytokine which binds CD117(c-Kit). SCF is also known as "steel factor" or "c-kit ligand". SCF exists in two forms, cell surface bound SCF and soluble (or free) SCF. Soluble SCF is produced by the cleavage of surface bound SCF by metalloproteases.
SCF is a growth factor important for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and other hematopoietic progenitor cells. One of its roles is to change the BFU-E (burst-forming unit-erythroid) cells, which are the earliest erythrocyte precursors in the erythrocytic series, into the CFU-E (colony-forming unit-erythroid).