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Platelet factor-4 is a 70-amino acid protein that is released from the alpha-granules of activated platelets.PF4’s major physiologic role appears to be neutralization of molecules on the endothelial surface of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting local antithrombin III activity and promoting coagulation. As a strong chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts, PF4 probably has a role in inflammation and wound repair. Oncostatin-A is a member of the CXC chemokine family. Furthermore, it is used as an inhibitor in the angiogenesis during tumor therapy.

Cathepsin-Z (CTSZ) is a lysosomal cysteine proteinase and member of the peptidase C1 family. CTSZ, which has been also known as cathepsin X and cathepsin P, exhibits carboxy-monopeptidase and carboxy-dipeptidase activities. CTSZ is expressed ubiquitously in cancer cell lines and primary tumors and, similar to other members of this family, takes part in tumorigenesis.

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.

EPH Receptor A2 (EPHA2) is a member of the ephrin receptor subfamily of the protein-tyrosine kinase family. EPHA2 is a protein which binds ephrin-A ligands. EPH and EPH-related receptors are associated with mediating developmental events, particularly in the nervous system. Receptors in the EPH subfamily normally have a single kinase domain and an extracellular region containing a Cys-rich domain and 2 fibronectin type III repeats. The ephrin receptors are divided into two groups based on the similarity of their extracellular domain sequences and their affinities for binding ephrin-A and ephrin-B ligands. EPHA2 gene mutations are the cause of certain genetically-related cataract disorders.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important signaling protein involved in vessel formation 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/macrophage migration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ). VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces vasculogenesis and endothelial cell production, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesis and cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor. VEGF is located in normal cartilage though only osteoarthritic cartilage expresses the VEGF receptors, NP1, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. The VEGF level in the culture media from OA chondrocytes was more than 3 folds higher than in media from normal chondrocytes

EBI3 has an induced expression in B lymphocytes in reaction to Epstein-Barr virus infection. EBI3 encodes a secreted glycoprotein belonging to the hematopoietin receptor family, and heterodimerizes with a 28 kDa protein to form iIL-27. EBI3 drives rapid clonal expansion of naive cd4(+) t-cells. EBI3 strongly synergizes with IL-12 to activate IFN-gamma production of naive cd4(+) t-cells. EBI3 mediates its biologic effects through the cytokine receptor wsx-1/tccr.

Caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, each serotype is sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. In cell culture experiments and mice Morpholino antisense oligos have shown specific activity against Dengue virus.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-transmitted obligate intracellular bacterium leading to human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Its outer membrane protein A is a peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein which plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease. OmpA is a part of the porin superfamily sharing a beta-barrel structure.

Cathepsin-A (CTSA) is a protective protein which is crucial for both the activity of beta-galactosidase and neuraminidase, CTSA associates with these enzymes and exerts a protective function required for their stability and activity. The CTSA protein is also a carboxypeptidase and can deamidate tachykinins. CTSA is a component of the lysosomal multienzyme complex along with beta-galactosidase and sialidase Neu1. CTSA is a multicatalytic enzyme with deamidase and esterase in addition to carboxypeptidase activities.

MRPL28 is found in a variety of normal tissues such as spleen, testis, thymus, liver, kidney, brain, adrenal, lung and retinal tissue. 39S ribosomal protein L28, mitochondrial (MRPL28), is a part of the ribosomal protein L28P family. Mammalian mitochondrial ribosomal proteins encoded by nuclear genes and helps in protein synthesis within the mitochondrion. Mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes) consist of a small 28S subunit and a large 39S subunit. MRPL28 is an important therapeutic reagent for HLA-A24 (A24) patients since this antigen is distinguished by tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) 1290, which targets the A24 serotype.

GDF8 is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. This gene is thought to encode a secreted protein which negatively regulates skeletal muscle growth.

Myostatin (GDF-8), a member of the TGFbeta superfamily, is a potent and specific negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. In serum, myostatin circulates as part of a latent complex containing myostatin propeptide and/or follistatin-related gene. The myostatin propeptide is known to bind and inhibit myostatin in vitro. This interaction is relevant in vivo, with a majority (>70%) of myostatin in serum bound to its propeptide. The myostatin propeptide is negative regulator of myostatin in vivo.

DIRAS1 is a member of a distinct branch of the functionally diverse Ras superfamily of monomeric GTPases. DIRAS1 demonstrates low GTPase activity and exists mainly in the GTP-bound form. Ras proteins operate as binary molecular switches that control intracellular signaling networks. Ras-regulated signal pathways regulate such processes as actin cytoskeletal integrity, proliferation, differentiation, cell adhesion, apoptosis, and cell migration. Ras and ras-related proteins are frequently deregulated in cancers, leading to increased invasion and metastasis, and decreased apoptosis.

CD207 (C-type lectin domain family 4 member K) is expressed in Langerhans cells which are immature dendritic cells of the epidermis and mucosa. Moreover, CD207 is expressed in several other dendritic cell types including dermal CD103+ DCs and splenic CD8+ DCs. Langerin is localized in the Birbeck granules, the organelles present in the cytoplasm of Langerhans cells and comprised of superimposed and zippered membranes. CD207 is a C-type lectin with mannose binding specificity, and it has been suggested that mannose binding by the CD207 protein leads to internalization of antigen into Birbeck granules thus providing access to a nonclassical antigen-processing pathway.

Tripartite Motif Containing 33 (TRIM33) belongs to the tripartite motif family. This motif includes 3 zinc-binding domains, a RING, a B-box type 1 and a B-box type 2, and a coiled-coil region. TRIM33 is assumed to be a transcriptional corepressor. TRIM33 functions as an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. TRIM33 also promotes SMAD4 ubiquitination, nuclear exclusion and degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. In addition, TRIM33 inhibits the transcriptional response to TGF-beta/BMP signaling cascade. Furthermore, TRIM33 has a role in the control of cell proliferation.

TSLP protein is a hemopoietic cytokine which signals throughout a heterodimeric receptor complex composed of the thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor & the Interleukin-7 receptor alpha chain. TSLP impacts myeloid cells thus induces the discharge of T cell-attracting chemokines from monocytes & increases the growth of CD11c(+) dendritic cells. TSLP is mainly expressed in the heart, liver and prostate. TSLP is related in its biological activities with IL-7 and binds with the heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of the Interleukin-7 receptor alpha chain & the TSLPR. Similar to IL-7, TSLP enhances phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT5, though uses kinases excluding JAKs for its activation. TSLP induces the release of T cell-attracting chemokines such asTARC & MDC from monocytes & triggers CD11c(+) dendritic cells. TSLP activated dendritic cells primes naive T cells to manufacture pro-allergic cytokines such as Iinterleukin-4, Interleukin-5, Interleukin-13 and TNF-alpha whereas down-regulating Interleukin-10 and IFN-gamma play a role in the initiation of allergic inflammation.

Tetraspanin 7, also known as TSPAN7, is part of the transmembrane 4 superfamily, which is also familiar as the tetraspanin family. Most of these proteins mediate signal transduction events which play a role in the regulation of cell development, activation, growth as well as motility. Furthermore, TSPAN7 is associated with X-linked mental retardation in addition to neuropsychiatric diseases such as Huntington's chorea, fragile X syndrome and myotonic dystrophy. Lately, TSPAN7 has been acknowledged as a key immune system target in type 1 diabetes.

Ubiquitin-like domain-containing CTD phosphatase 1 (UBLCP1) dephosphorylates 26S nuclear proteasomes, thereby decreasing their proteolytic activity. The dephosphorylation averts assembly of the core and regulatory particles (CP and RP) into mature 26S proteasome.

Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. CSF-1 induces cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. It plays a role in immunological defenses, bone metabolism, lipoproteins clearance, fertility and pregnancy.

RAP1A is part of the family of RAS-related proteins which possess 50% amino acid identity with the classical RAS proteins and have various structural characteristics in common. RAP proteins differ from RAS proteins in their 61st amino acid, glutamine in RAS is replaced by threonine in RAP proteins. RAP1A induces morphological reversion of a cell line transformed by a Ras oncogene and counteracts the mitogenic function of Ras, since it can interact with Ras GAPs and RAF in a competitive manner.

Diphthamide Biosynthesis 3 Pseudogene 1 also known as DPH3P1 may stand for a processed pseudogene of DPH3 since it lacks the exon/intron structurefound in the functional gene. Yet, DPH3P1 does contain an intact open reading frame, though its translation has not been established.

DYNLL1 is a protein that cooperates with NOS1 causing NOS1 inhibition. Binding of DYNLL1 weakens NOS1 (Neuronal nitric oxide synthase) dimer, a conformation needed for activity, and it regulates several biologic processes through its effects on nitric oxide synthase activity. DYNLL1 is a ubiquitously expressed protein that demonstrates high expression in testis and moderate expression in brain.

BATF is a nuclear basic leucine zipper protein which is a member of the AP-1/ATF superfamily of transcription factors. BATF is intensely expressed in mature T and B lymphocytes, and is up-regulated after transformation by human T-cell leukemia virus type I. BATF acts as a tissue-specific modulator of the AP-1 transcription complex in human cells. Furthermore, BATF connects with IFP35 which is a leucine zipper protein that translocates to the nucleus following IFN treatment.

NTAL participates in FCER1 (high affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor)-mediated signaling in mast cells. NTAL takes part in BCR (B-cell antigen receptor)-mediated signaling in B-cells and FCGR1 (high affinity immunoglobulin gamma Fc receptor I)-mediated signaling in myeloid cells. Couples activation of these receptors and their associated kinases with distal intracellular events through the recruitment of GRB2.