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Hemoglobin Subunit Zeta (Hbz) or Hba-x is a alpha-like hemoglobin and part of the globin family. The protein is expressed and produced in the the yolk sac in early stages of embryonic development. Hemoglobin subunit zeta has 2 pseudogenes and 5 functional genes.

IL13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine produced primarily by activated Th2 cells. IL-13 is involved in several stages of B-cell maturation and differentiation. It up-regulates CD23 and MHC class II expression, and promotes IgE isotype switching of B cells. This cytokine down-regulates macrophage activity, thereby inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This cytokine is found to be critical to the pathogenesis of allergen-induced asthma but operates through mechanisms independent of IgE and eosinophils. This gene, IL3, IL5, IL4, and CSF2 form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5q, with this gene particularly close to IL4.

IL-1 alpha is produced by activated macrophages.IL-1 alpha stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing il-2 release, b-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. IL1A proteins take part in the inflammatory response, being identified as endogenous pyrogens, and stimulate the release of prostaglandin and collagenase from synovial cells.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein present in fetal digestive-tract tissues; it’s involved in cell adhesion. The production of CEA stops before birth. CEA is called tumor marker since its elevated levels are found in the serum from individuals with colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, lung and breast carcinomas and in heavy smokers.
There are also benign conditions that elevate CEA levels such as smoking, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and some benign tumors (in the equivalent organs which have cancers with elevated CEA). Typically, higher levels of CEA are found in men, smokers, and older individuals.
The presence of CEA assists in screening, in evaluating recurrent or disseminated disease, and in determining the success of surgical removal of malignant tumors.
CEA levels can be used as indicators of treatment success. The normal values range from 0.0 to 2.5 ng/ml of serum (from blood), in non-smokers, a greater amount than that may be suggestive of cancer. Levels above 20 ng/ml before treatment are associated with cancer which has already metastasized. Benign conditions do not usually cause a CEA increase over 10 ng/ml.
The high levels of CEA should return to normal after successful therapy, however if during follow up there’s an elevation in CEA levels it indicates a recurrence of tumor.
Carcinoembryonic antigen family belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily; it consists of 29 genes, 18 of which are normally expressed.

GLYAT is a mitochondrial acyltransferase that conjugates glycine with acyl-CoA substrates in the mitochondria. GLYAT is vital to the detoxification of endogenous and xenobiotic acyl-CoA's.

Alpha-synuclein or SNCA is a synuclein protein. SNCA mainly found in the brain, small concentration of the protein can also be located in other tissues such as heart and muscle. When looking in the brain tissue, SNCA is located in the end of the neuron, in an area called presynaptic terminal. In the presynaptic terminal SNCA has interaction with phospholipids & other proteins. Neurotransmitters are released from the synaptic vesicles in the Presynaptic terminals and act as messengers. Once released, the neurotransmitters send signals across the neurons that are crucial for the brain’s operation.

IL-32 is part of the cytokine family and contains a tyrosine sulfation site, 3 potential N-myristoylation sites, multiple putative phosphorylation sites, and an RGD cell-attachment sequence. IL-32 expression is elevated after the activation of T-cells by mitogens or the activation of NK cells by IL-2. IL-32 induces the production of TNF-a from macrophage cells. IL-32 pro-inflammatory pathway is activated in response to influenza A virus infection. Dysregulation of IL-32 in myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia modulates apoptosis and impairs NK function.
Induction of TNF, IL-1beta, and IL-6 by IL-32 is intervened by p38-MAPK. IL-32 induced monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation is mediated through nonapoptotic, caspase-3-dependent mechanisms. IL32 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. IL-32 is involved in activation-induced cell death in T cells, through its intracellular actions. IL-32 is a cell-associated proinflammatory cytokine, which is particularly stimulated by mycobacteria through a caspase-1- and IL-18-dependent production of interferon gamma.
IL-32 is associated with TNF-a, IL-1beta, and IL-18. IL32 is involved in human rheumatoid arthritis and is a novel target in autoimmune diseases.

Influenza-B virus is a genus in the virusfamily Orthomyxoviridae. The only species in this genus is called "Influenza B virus". Influenza B virus only infects humansand seals. This limited host range is apparently in contrast with those caused by the similar Influenza virus Aas both mutate by both genetic drift and reassortment. Influenza-B virus evolves slower than A viruses and faster than C viruses. Influenza-B virus mutates at a rate 2-3 times lower than type A. However, influenza B mutates enough that lasting immunity is not possible. The Influenza B virus capsidis enveloped while its virionconsists of a matrix protein + envelope + nucleoprotein complex + nucleocapsid, and a polymerasecomplex. Influenza B is sometimes spherical and sometimes filamentous. Its 500 or so surface projections are made of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.
The Influenza B virus is 14648 nucleotideslong and consists of eight segments of linear negative-sense, single-stranded RNA. The multipartite genome is encapsidated, each segment in a separate nucleocapsid, and the nucleocapsids are surrounded by one envelope.

GlsA1 is a member of the great superfamily of serine-dependent beta-lactamases and penicillin-binding proteins which exist almost in every bacteria and eukaryotes and catalyze the hydrolytic deamidation of l-glutamine to l-glutamate and free NH4+.

UDP Glycosyltransferase 8 (UGT8) is a member of the UDP-glycosyltransferase family. UGT8 catalyzes the transfer of galactose to ceramide, a crucial enzymatic step in the biosynthesis of galactocerebrosides, which are abundant sphingolipids of the myelin membrane of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

2-Enoyl-Coenzyme A (CoA) Hydratase, Beta (HADHB) is the beta subunit of the mitochondrial trifunctional protein, that catalyzes the last 3 phases of mitochondrial beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids. HADHB binds RNA and reduces the stability of various mRNAs. Mutations in HADHB cause trifunctional protein deficiency.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirusthat can lead to a condition in which the immune systembegins to fail, leading to opportunistic infections. HIV primarily infects vital cells in the humanimmune systemsuch as helper T cells(specifically CD4+ T cells), macrophagesand dendritic cells. HIV infection leads to low levels of CD4+ T cells through three main mechanisms: firstly, direct viral killing of infected cells; secondly, increased rates of apoptosisin infected cells; and thirdly, killing of infected CD4+ T cells by CD8 cytotoxic lymphocytesthat recognize infected cells. When CD4+ T cell numbers decline below a critical level, cell-mediated immunityis lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections. HIV was classified as a member of the genus Lentivirus, part of the family of Retroviridae. Lentiviruses have many common morphologies and biological properties. Many species are infected by lentiviruses, which are characteristically responsible for long-duration illnesses with a long incubation period.HIV-1 gp41 Subtype-c reacts to the specific antibody from HIV1 infection, in lateral flow assay, it is usually coated on the membrane to capture the specific antibody from HIV1 infection.

Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) is a human, single-stranded RNA retrovirus that causes T-cell leukemia and T-cell lymphoma. The virus activates a subset of T-helper cellscalled Th1cells. The result is a proliferation of Th1 cells and overproduction of Th1 related cytokines (mainly IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha). Feedback mechanisms of these cytokines cause a suppression of the Th2 lymphocytes and a reduction of Th2 cytokine production (mainly IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13). The end result is a reduction in the ability of the infected host to mount an adequate immune response to invading organisms that require a predominantly Th2 dependant response (these include parasitic infections and production of mucosal and humoral antibodies).

Branched-chain ?-keto acid dehydrogenase E1 component ? chain (BCKDHA) is a member of the BCKDHA family. The BCKD (branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase) complex is an inner mitochondrial enzyme complex which catalyzes the second major step in the catabolism of the branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine. This complex consists of 3 catalytic components: a heterotetrameric (alpha2-beta2) branched-chain alpha-keto acid decarboxylase (E1), a dihydrolipoyl transacylase (E2), and a dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (E3). Mutations in the BCKDHA gene result in maple syrup urine disease, type IA.

Galactose-1-Phosphate Uridylyltransferase (GALT) catalyzes the 2nd step of the “Leloir pathway” of galactose metabolism, specifically the conversion of UDP-glucose + galactose-1-phosphate to glucose-1-phosphate + UDP-galactose. The deficiency of the GALT enzyme results in typical galactosemia in humans and may be fatal in the newborn stage if lactose is not eliminated from the diet. Galactosemia pathophysiology has not been clearly defined.

Leukotriene A-4 hydrolase (LTA4H) is a bifunctional enzyme that converts leukotriene A4 to leukotriene B4 and functions as an aminopeptidase. The LTA4H enzyme is a member of the family of hydrolases, specifically those acting on ether bonds (ether hydrolases). LTA4H participates in arachidonic acid metabolism.

Glucuronidase Beta (GUSB) is a lysosomal hydrolase which is taking part in the stepwise degradation of glucuronic acid-containing glycosaminoglycans and plays a significant role in the degradation of dermatan and keratin sulfates. GUSB is comprised of heparin sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronan.

Zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is found in body fluids such as serum, sweat, and seminal and breast cyst fluids. It is identical in amino acid sequence to tumor-derived lipid mobilizing factor (LMF), a protein associated with the dramatic loss of adipose body stores in cancer cachexia, and has been shown to stimulate lipolysis by adipocytes in vivo and in vitro. A role for ZAG has been proposed in the regulation of body weight, and age-dependent changes in genetically influenced obesity, and also it regulates melanin production by normal and malignant melanocytes. It has also recently been classified as a novel adipokine in that it is produced by both white and brown fat adipocytes and may act in a local autocrine fashion in the reduction of adiposity in cachexia. Controlling ZAG/LMF's activity could be life-saving in the management of certain cancers and other cachexiainducing conditions, and its possible normal role in body fat store homeostasis is deserving of understanding in its own right. ZAG exhibits a class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) fold but is a soluble protein rather than being anchored to plasma membranes and does not associate with alpha-2-microglobulin in humans. Like antigen-presenting MHC class I proteins, ZAG has an open apical groove, and X-ray crystallography of human derived ZAG revealed an unidentifiable electron density in a similar position to that occupied by antigenic peptides in classical MHC proteins and glycolipids in isoforms of CD1. This presumptive ligand is not a peptide, and the groove is too small to hold a glycolipid such as is presented by CD1 isoforms. By analogy with all other MHC class I-related proteins that have an open apical groove [some do not ], occupancy by a ligand is probably crucial to ZAG's biological function. Despite all of the structural and biochemical evidence that ZAG binds a ligand, none has so far been found by extraction from protein isolated from biological fluids. This difficulty could be because the ligand is labile, heterogeneous, or readily lost during purification procedures. Knowing more about how ZAG interacts with the compounds it has been found to bind, both natural and artificial, will inform searches for the elusive ligand(s) and its/their role in ZAG's signaling function.

Allergen Fra e 1.0101 (Fra e 1.0101) causes an allergic reaction in humans.

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 isoform 1 or AKR1C3 is an enzyme, part of the aldo-keto reductase family that promotes conversion of ketones & aldehydes to the alcohol forms while using cofactors such as NADPH & NADH. AKR1C3 promotes the reduction of PG molecule (prostaglandin), PQ (phenanthrenequinone) & PGH2. Another role is oxidation of 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2 to PGD2. AKR1C3 holds a crucial part in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases like asthma and can also take part in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation.

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.

GST family of enzymes comprises a long list of cytosolic, mitochondrial, and microsomal proteins that are 45-55 kDa (dimer form) size and are capable of multiple reactions with a multitude of substrates, both endogenous and xenobiotic. GST catalyses the conjugation of reduced glutathione meaning the sulfhydryl group, to electrophilic centers on a wide variety of substrates. This activity is useful in the detoxification of endogenous compounds such as peroxidised lipids, as well as the metabolism of xenobiotics. GST binds toxins and function as transport protein. Glutathione S-transferase is used to create the so-called 'GST gene fusion system'. The GST is used to purify and detect proteins of interest. In a GST gene fusion system, the GST sequence is incorporated into an expression vector alongside the gene sequence encoding the protein of interest. Induction of protein expression from the vector's multiple cloning sites results in expression of a fusion protein - the protein of interest fused to the GST protein. This GST-fusion protein can then be purified from cells via its high affinity for glutathione. Fusion proteins offer an important biological assay for direct protein-to-protein interactions. The GST tag has the size of 220 amino acids, which, compared to other tags like the myc- or the FLAG-tag, is quite big. It is fused to the N-terminus of a protein. However, many commercially-available sources of GST-tagged plasmids include a thrombin domain for cleavage of the GST tag during protein purification. A GST-tag is often used to separate and purify proteins that contain the GST-fusion. GST-fusion proteins can be produced in Escherichia coli, as recombinant proteins.

ANXA2 is part of the annexin family and is involved in the regulation of cellular growth and in signal transduction pathways. ANXA2 protein functions as an autocrine factor which increases osteoclast formation and bone resorption. ANXA2 is associated with sickle cell osteonecrosis. Reduced ANXA2 expression is associated with osteosarcoma metastases. ANXA2 is part of the putative cell surface vitamin D binding protein binding site complex and functions to mediate the chemotactic cofactor effect. ANXA2 is involved in dysferlin deficiency and in muscular dystrophies. Human colon adenocarcinoma cell differentiation is related with an up-regulation of ANXA2.

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.