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PMF1-BGLAP is a locus which represents naturally occurring read-through transcription between the neighboring polyamine-modulated factor 1 (PMF1) and bone gamma-carboxyglutamate Gla protein (BGLAP) genes on chromosome 1. There are multiple transcript variants encoding isoforms as a results of alternative splicing which share sequence identity with the upstream gene product, but they have a different C-termini because of frameshifts as opposed to the downstream gene coding sequence.

Leukocyte Cell Derived Chemotaxin 1 (214-333 a.a.), also known as LECT1, is a glycosylated transmembrane protein which is cleaved to form a mature, secreted protein. The mature protein encourages chondrocyte growth and inhibits angiogenesis. The mature protein takes part in endochondral bone development by permitting cartilaginous anlagen to be vascularized and replaced by bone. LECT1 is expressed in the avascular area of prehypertrophic cartilage and its expression reduces during vascular invasion and chondrocyte hypertrophy.

CDNF is a member of the ARMET family and acts as a trophic factor for dopamine neurons. CDNF inhibits the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. When CDNF controlled after 6-OHDA-lesioning, it reestablishes the dopaminergic function and inhibits the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. CDNF is universally expressed in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. The highest levels in the brain are found in the optic nerve and corpus callosum.

GLRX1 has a glutathione-disulfide oxidoreductase activity in the presence of nadph and glutathione reductase. reduces low molecular weight disulfides and proteins. Glutaredoxin is a glutathione (GSH)-dependent hydrogen donor for ribonucleotide reductase and also catalyzes glutathione-disulfide oxidoreduction reactions in the presence of NADPH and glutathione reductase. GLRX1 is multifunctional enzyme with glutathione-dependent oxidoreductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity. The disulfide bond functions as an electron carrier in the glutathione-dependent synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides by the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase. In addition, it is also involved in reducing cytosolic protein- and non-protein-disulfides in a coupled system with glutathione reductase. Required for resistance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) by directly reducing hydroperoxides and for the detoxification of ROS-mediated damage.

The precise role of CFLAR is not yet revealed but it seems it is vital in apoptosis regulation downstream of all identified death receptors.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha factor (LITAF) is a small integral membrane protein of lysosome/late endosome. The expression of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha in Lipopolysaccharide-induced processes is mediated by LITAF. LITAF connects to STAT6B, which belongs to the STAT6 family forming a complex on the TNF-alpha promoter that modifies TNF activity. High levels of expression of LITAF mRNA are observed mostly in the placenta, peripheral blood leukocytes, lymph nodes and spleen.

MAP1LC3B is a member of the MAP1 LC3 family. MAP1LC3B is a subunit of neuronal microtubule-associated MAP1A and MAP1B proteins, that are involved in microtubule assembly and important for neurogenesis. In addition, MAP1LC3B takes part in formation of autophagosomal vacuoles and is expressed mainly in heart, testis, brain and skeletal muscle.

TNFSF15 is a cytokine that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. This protein is abundantly expressed in endothelial cells, but is not expressed in either B or T cells. The expression of TNFSF15 is inducible by TNF and IL-1 alpha. This cytokine is a ligand for receptor TNFRSF25 and decoy receptor TNFRSF21/DR6. It can activate NF-kappaB and MAP kinases, and acts as an autocrine factor to induce apoptosis in endothelial cells. TNFSF15 is also found to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation, and thus may function as an angiogenesis inhibitor. An additional isoform encoded by an alternatively spliced transcript variant has been reported but the sequence of this transcript has not been determined.

RAD51 family members are evolutionarily conserved proteins vital for DNA repair by homologous recombination. RAD51B is a part of the RAD51 protein family. RAD51B is involved in the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway of double-stranded DNA breaks occurring during DNA replication or induced by DNA-damaging agents. RAD51B forms a stable heterodimer with the family member RAD51C, which interacts with the other family members, such as RAD51, XRCC2, and XRCC3. Overexpression of RAD51B leads to cell cycle G1 delay and cell apoptosis.

Mediator Complex Subunit 20 (MED20) is a subunit of the Mediator complex, which is a multiprotein coactivator of RNA transcription that interacts with DNA-bound transcriptional activators, RNA polymerase II, and general initiation factors. The Mediator functions as a link to transmit information from gene-specific regulatory proteins to the basal RNA polymerase II transcription apparatus. Mediator is recruited to promoters by direct interactions with regulatory proteins and functions as a scaffold for the compilation of a functional preinitiation complex with RNA polymerase II and the general transcription factors.

Zinc Ribbon Domain Containing 1 (ZNRD1) is a protein which shows similarity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rpa12p subunit of RNA polymerase I. ZNRD1 contains two potential zinc-binding motifs and takes part in regulation of cell proliferation. ZNRD1 is involved in cancer and human immunodeficiency virus progression. Alternate splicing of this gene results in two transcript variants encoding the same protein. Additional splice variants have been found, but their full-length sequences have not been determined.

RGS19 is a member of RGS (regulator of G protein signaling) family and negatively regulates G protein coupled receptor signaling. RGS19 protein specifically cooperates with heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein G alpha i3 (GAI3).

DnaJ (Hsp40) Homolog, Subfamily C, Member 12 (DNAJC12) belongs to the DnaJ/Hsp40 family. DnaJ/Hsp40 family members are linked with complex assembly, protein folding, and export. DnaJ/Hsp40 proteins are extremely conserved throughout evolution and function as co-chaperones regulating protein folding, transport, translational initiation and gene expression. DnaJC12 has a role in protein folding and export and is believed to be involved in estrogen control and the development of breast cancer. DNAJC12 is expressed at high levels in the brain, heart, and testis, and at reduced levels in the kidney and stomach.

E-selectin which is also called Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1, ELAM1, ELAM belongs to a family of divalent cation-dependent carbohydrate-binding glycoproteins or adhesion molecules. Eselectin is expressed on the surface of endothelial cells and mediates the interaction of leukocytes and platelets with endothelial cells during an inflammatory response. E-selectin is present in single copy in the human genome and contains 14 exons spanning about 13 kb of DNA.

PDCD6 is a calcium-binding protein and is a member of the penta-EF-hand protein family. Calcium binding is vital for homodimerization and for conformational changes essential for binding to other protein partners. PDCD6 takes part in T cell receptor-, Fas-, and glucocorticoid-induced programmed cell death. However, tests showed that in mice deficient for PDCD6, apoptosis was not blocked which suggests that PDCD6 is functionally redundant.

Penta-EF-hand domain containing 1 (PEF1) is a member of the penta-EF-hand protein family, which shares similarities to the apoptosis linked gene ALG-2. PEF1 forms heterodimers with PDCD6/ALG2 and dissociates from PDCD6/ALG2 in the presence of Ca (2+). Furthermore, PEF1 proteins bind calcium and participate in a various calcium-dependent processes in vertebrates.

CD55 belongs to the RCA (regulators of complement activation) family characterized by 4-30 SCRs (short consensus repeats) in their plasma-exposed regions. CD55 is widely expressed in malignant tumors and nevertheless functions as an inhibitor of the complement system.

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.

PYCR1 is a universal housekeeping enzyme which catalyzes the NAD(P)H-dependent conversion of pyrroline-5-carboxylate to proline. PYCR1 enzyme also takes a physiologic part in the generation of NADP(+) in certain cell types. PYCR1 forms a homopolymer and localizes to the mitochondrion. Mutations in PYCR1 are the source of cutis laxa autosomal recessive type 2B (ARCL2B).

Microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT or Tau) is a protein that stabilizes microtubules. MAPT is abundant in neurons in the central nervous system and is less common elsewhere. When MAPT is defective, and no longer stabilizes microtubules properly, it can result in dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease.

PDCD12 (AVEN) represents a new class of cell death regulator. PDCD12 is a conserved intracellular membrane protein which blocks apoptosis impeded by Apaf-1 mediated caspase activation. BAD and Bcl-2 also interact with PDCD12 to prevent apoptosis. PDCD12 is expressed in a wide variety of normal tissues including the heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, liver, testis, and also in diseases such as cancer.

The Melanoma Inhibitory protein (MIA) was identified as an inhibitor of in vitro growth of malignant melanoma cells. The protein contains a SH3 domain. MIA acts as a potent tumor cell growth inhibitor for malignant melanoma cells and some other neuroectodermal tumors, including gliomas, in an autocrine fashion. In a study of human melanoma cell lines with different metastatic capacity MIA mRNA expression appeared to be inversely correlated with pigmentation. MIA has been shown to represent a very sensitive and specific serum marker for systemic malignant melanoma that might be useful for staging of primary melanomas, detection of progression from localized to metastatic disease during follow-up, and monitoring therapy of advanced melanomas.

Adiponectin, also referred to as Acrp30, AdipoQ and GBP-28, is a recently discovered 244 amino acid protein, the product of the apM1 gene, which is physiologically active and specifically and highly expressed in adipose cells (Adipokine). The protein belongs to the soluble defense collagen super family; it has a collagen-like domain structurally homologous with collagen VIII and X and complement factor C1q-like globular domain. APM-1 forms homotrimers, which are the building blocks for higher order complexes found circulating in serum.

a-Synuclein (amino acids 1-140), an acidic neuronal protein of 140 amino acids, is extremely heat-resistant and is natively unfolded with an extended structure primarily composed of random coils. a-synuclein has been suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, and more recently, to be an important regulatory component of vesicular transport in neuronal cells. Moreover, recent studies have shown that a-synuclein has chaperone activity and that this activity is lost upon removing its C-terminal acidic tail (amino acids 96-140).