Search results

Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the family Flaviviridae and the genus Flavivirus, it is transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus. The Zika virus is related to the dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. Much like the other flaviviruses, Zika virus is enveloped and icosahedral and has a nonsegmented, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome. Zika fever is an infection, which often causes no symptoms or only mild ones, like a mild form of dengue fever, and it is treated by rest. As of February 2016, there has been mounting evidence that Zika fever in pregnant women can cause abnormal brain development in their fetuses by mother-to-child transmission, which may result in miscarriage or microcephaly, however it is not yet known whether Zika virus causes microcephaly. Furthermore, a connection has been established with neurologic conditions in infected adults, including Guillain–Barre syndrome. Since the 1950s, Zika virus has been detected only within a narrow equatorial belt from Africa to Asia. Between the years 2013 and 2014, Zika virus has spread eastward across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, and Easter Island, and in 2015 to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America, where the Zika outbreak has reached pandemic levels.

MAEA is a 396aa widely expressed adhesion protein which has 5 alternatively spliced isoforms. MAEA holds one CTLH domain and one LisH domain. MAEA forms a complex with F-actin, which takes part in regulating actin distribution in erythroblasts and macrophages and is known to assist in cell division and nuclear architecture. MAEA is confined with condensed chromatin at prophase, nuclear spindle poles at metaphase and in the contractile ring throughout cytokinesis phase and telophase.

HTATIP2 is part of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family which acts as a tumor suppressor in metabolic suppression, inhibition of angiogenesis and induces the expression of apoptosis related genes Bad and Siva. HTATIP2 cooperates with the activation domain of HIV-1 TAT and enhances its transcription by phosphorylating RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Defects in HTATIP2 are related with hepatocellular carcinomas and apoptotic resistant tumor cells, implicating a probable use for HTATIP2 in antitumor therapy.

Collagen, a major component of the extracellular matrix, is a fibrous protein that provides tensile strength to tissues giving them structural integrity. Collagen and its derivative, gelatin, have been widely used in medical, pharmaceutical and consumer products for more than 100 years. The supply of these materials, created from animal remains, is both abundant and inexpensive. However, most formulations are not highly purified and have the potential to cause an inflammatory reaction in some product users. In addition, concerns have been raised over the last several years about the potential for contamination of bovine products with the agent that causes mad cow disease and its human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Animal collagens are subject to extensive modifications that continue over the life of the molecule in the extracellular space. These differences influence both the extractability of collagens from tissue and the biophysical characteristics of these collagens. As a result, collagens isolated from tissues exhibit significant lot-to-lot variability and, as bulk materials, are often analytically intractable. Products that contain animal-derived collagen can induce potentially harmful inflammatory or immune responses in humans and pose risk of contamination with viruses or prions, potentially life-threatening pathogens. Recombinant collagens are essentially identical to the native collagen protein thereby reducing the risk of inflammation, immune response, and disease as compared to animal-sourced collagen.

Growth/differentiation factors (GDF1-GDF15) belong to the BMP family of TGF-beta superfamily proteins. These factors are produced as inactive preproproteins which are subsequently cleaved and assembled into active secreted homodimers. BMP13 is a growth factor which controls proliferation and cellular differentiation in the retina and bone formation. BMP13 has a central role in regulating apoptosis during retinal development. GDF proteins are vital during embryonic development, particularly in the skeletal, nervous, and muscular systems. BMP13 gene mutations result in colobomata, which are congenital abnormalities in ocular development, and in Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS), which is a congenital disorder of spinal segmentation.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 11 (CXCL11) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also called Interferon-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC) and Interferon-gamma-inducible protein 9 (IP-9). It is highly expressed in peripheral blood leukocytes, pancreas and liver, with moderate levels in thymus, spleen and lung and low expression levels were in small intestine, placenta and prostate. Gene expression of CXCL11 is strongly induced by IFN-g and IFN-b, and weakly induced by IFN-a. This chemokine elicits its effects on its target cells by interacting with the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR3, with a higher affinity than do the other ligands for this receptor, CXCL9 and CXCL10. CXCL11 is chemotactic for activated T cells. Its gene is located on human chromosome 4 along with many other members of the CXC chemokine family.

EPCAM is a carcinoma-associated antigen and belongs to a family which includes at least 2 type I membrane proteins. The EPCAM protein has a role in embryonic stem cells proliferation and differentiation. EPCAM is used as a target for immunotherapy treatment of human carcinomas. EPCAM is expressed on most normal epithelial cells and gastrointestinal carcinomas and acts as a homotypic calcium-independent cell adhesion molecule. Epithelial cell adhesion molecules (EPCAM) can act as a physical homophilic interaction molecule between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) at the mucosal epithelium for supplying immunological barrier as a first line of defense against mucosal infection. EPCAM gene mutations result in congenital tufting enteropathy.

Plasmodium falciparum is a protozoan parasite, one of the species of Plasmodium that cause malaria. Malaria parasites are members of the Apicomplexa. Apicomplexa are characterized by a set of organelles found in some stages of the parasite's life cycle. These organelles, collectively known as apical organelles because of their localization at one end of the parasite, are involved in interactions between the parasite and host. In particular, the apical organelles have been implicated in the process of host cell invasion. In the case of Plasmodium, three distinct invasive forms have been identified: sporozoite, merozoite, and ookinete.

NHP2L1 is a member of the ribosomal protein L7Ae family. NHP2L1 protein limited to the nucleus, primarily focused in the dense fibrillar component of the nucleolus. NHP2L1 directly binds to the 5' stem-loop of U4 snRNA and has a vital part in the late stage of spliceosome assembly, prior to step I of splicing catalysis.

SERPINI1 (Neuroserpin) is an inhibitory serpin which is expressed primarily in the central nervous system. Even though the physiological target of SERPINI1 is still vague, amassed evidence suggest that SERPINI1 has an imperative role in controlling proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) during synaptogenesis and the subsequent development of neuronal plasticity. The neuroprotective role of SERPINI1 has been demonstrated in transgenic mice lacking SERPINI1 expression. The deficiency of SERPINI1 in these mice is linked with motor neuron disease characterized by axonal degradation. In humans, defects in SERPINI1, caused by point mutations in the neuroserpin gene, trigger a hereditary disorder known as the familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB).

C8, a component of the complement system consists of three polypeptides C8A, C8B and C8G and takes part in the formation of Membrane Attack Complex (MAC). Patients with C8 deficiency are exposed to several bacteria infections. C8G, a member of the lipocalin family and calycin superfamily, is a secreted protein that can bind retinol. C8G is created in the liver, monocytes and fibroblast and has a role in clearing pathogens from an infected host.

MICB (MHC class I chain-related gene B) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that functions as a ligand for human NKG2D type II receptor. A closely related protein, MICA, shares 85% amino acid identity with MICB. These 2 proteins are distantly related to the MHC class I proteins. MICA and MICB (MICA/B) possess three extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, but have no capacity to bind peptide or interact with ?2-microglobulin. The genes encoding MICA/B are found within the major histocompatibility complex on human chromosome 6. The MICB locus is polymorphic with more than 15 recognized human alleles. MICA/B are minimally expressed on normal cells, but are frequently expressed on epithelial tumors and can be induced by bacterial and viral infections. MICA/B are ligands for NKG2D, an activating receptor expressed on NK cells, NKT cells, ?? T cells, and CD8+ ?? T cells. Recognition of MICA/B by NKG2D results in the activation of cytolytic activity and/or cytokine production by these effector cells. MICA/B recognition is involved in tumor surveillance, viral infections, and autoimmune diseases. The release of soluble forms of MICA/B from tumors down-regulates NKG2D surface expression on effector cells resulting in the impairment of anti-tumor immune response.

The Sec61 complex is the key component of the protein translocation apparatus of the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) membrane. Oligomers of the Sec61 complex construct a transmembrane channel where proteins are translocated across and incorporated into the ER membrane. This complex consists of 3 membrane proteins- alpha, beta, and gamma. The SEC61B gene encodes the beta-subunit protein. The Sec61 subunits are also detected in the post-ER compartment, suggesting that these proteins can get out of the ER and recycle back.

PRMT1 Methylates (mono & asymmetric dimethylation) the guanidino nitrogens of arginyl residues present in a glycine and arginine-rich domain (may methylate HNRNPA1 and histones). Methylates SUPT5H.
The PRMT1 protein functions as a histone methyltransferase specific for H4.
PRMT1 is an essential factor in oncogenesis and is a potential novel therapeutic target in cancer.
PRMT1-mediated methylation serves as a positive modulator of IR/IRS-1/PI3K pathway and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells.
CAF1 is a new regulator of PRMT1-dependent arginine methylation.
PRMT1 arginine-methylates MRE11 therefore it regulates the activity of MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 complex during the intra-S-phase DNA damage checkpoint response.
PRMT1 plays a post-translationally part in regulating the transcriptional activity.
PRMT1 is found predominantly in the cytoplasma though a fraction of PRMT1 is located in the nucleus.

MCL1 is a member of the Bcl-2 family. MCL1 takes part in the control of apoptosis against cell existence, and in the preservation of viability but not of proliferation. Alternative splicing happens at this locus and two transcript variants encoding different isoforms are known. Isoform 1 is the longer gene product and it increases cell existence by inhibiting apoptosis. Isoform 2 is a shorter gene product which indorses apoptosis and is death-inducing.

HTLV-1 is the etiological agent for Adult T-Cell Leukemia which encodes a 40kDa cell-transforming oncoprotein called Tax. HTLV-1 Tax protein sensitizes cells to apoptotic cell death induced by DNA damaging agents. Constitutive Activation of TAK1 by HTLV-1 Tax-dependent Overexpression of TAB2 Induces Activation of JNK-ATF2 but Not IKK-NF-kB.

Sterile Alpha Motif Domain Containing 13 (SAMD13) is a putative protein interaction module which is present in various proteins involved in numerous biological processes. SAMD13 contains one SAM (sterile alpha motif) domain. The SAM domain, which spreads over around 70 residues, is found in various eukaryotic organisms. SAM domains are known to homo- and hetero-oligomerise, forming multiple self-association constructions and also binding to various non-SAM domain-containing proteins, however with a low affinity constant.

Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) belongs to the sirtuin family of proteins, homologs to the yeast Sir2 protein. Sirtuin family members are characterized by a sirtuin core domain and grouped into 4 classes. The functions of human sirtuins have not yet been established; though, yeast sirtuin proteins are known to regulate epigenetic gene silencing and suppress recombination of rDNA. It has been proposed that the human sirtuins may serve as intracellular regulatory proteins with mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase activity.

APIP catalyzes the dehydration of methylthioribulose-1-phosphate (MTRu-1-P) into 2,3-diketo-5-methylthiopentyl-1-phosphate (DK-MTP-1-P). APIP has an anti-apoptotic function and inhibits muscle ischemic impairment. APIP inhibits the cytochrome c-dependent and APAF1-mediated cell death.

Uteroglobin (SCGB1A1) which belongs to the Secretoglobin (SCGBs) superfamily, is a multifunctional protein that exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic effects by binding small hydrophobic molecules such as phospholipids and prostaglandins. Uteroglobin is involved in numerous functions including anti-inflammation, inhibition of phospholipase A2 and the sequestering of hydrophobic ligands. SCGB1A1 is expressed by Clara cells, the non-ciliated, non-mucous secretory cells predominant in lung bronchioles, and by other epithelia which communicate with the external environment. On top of sequestering pro-inflammatory mediators and carcinogens, Uteroglobin is implicated in the inhibition of cell migration and invasion, platelet aggregation, and T cell differentiation. SCGB1A1 gene defects are associated with a susceptibility to asthma.

HSP90 has been identified in the cytosol, nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum, and is reported to exist in many tissue types. In several tissues, including smooth muscle, HSP90 comprises up to 2% of total cellular protein. HSP90 functions as a dimer, assembled as part of heterocomplex. It possesses ATP-binding site and low ATPase activity. HSP90 is able to associate with actin filaments in certain conditions. Another important property of HSP90 is the binding of unoccupied steroid hormone receptors. HSP90 has been characterized as a molecular chaperone able to keep the target protein in a folding-competent state. It has an enhanced chaperone activity in oligomeric form at high temperatures. HSP90 function is sensitive to bivalent cations concentration.

Ferredoxin-1 is a small iron-sulfur protein who transfers electrons from NADPH through ferredoxin reductase to a terminal cytochrome P450. This specific oxidation/reduction system is located in steroidogenic tissues, and is involved with the synthesis of bile acid and vitamin D. FDX1 takes part in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and transfers electrons from adrenodoxin reductase to the cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P450. FDX1 supports reactions catalyzed by human microsomal P450s- full length CYP17, truncated CYP17, and truncated CYP21. In addition to the FDX1 at the 11q22chromosomal locus, there are pseudogenes located on chromosomes 20 and 21.

Mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes) consist of a small 28S subunit and a large 39S subunit. Mitochondrial Ribosomal Protein S28, also known as MRPS28, is a protein coding gene which encodes a 28S subunit protein which is known as mitochondrial ribosomal protein S35.

CRCP is a ubiquitous coupling protein for the calcitonin gene-related peptide and adrenomedullin receptors. CRCP controls ligand sensitivity in several tissues and has DNA-directed RNA polymerase activity, catalytic activity and calcitonin receptor activity.