Search results

Ectodysplasin A Receptor, also known as EDAR belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. EDAR is a receptor for the soluble ligand ectodysplasin A, and is capable of activating the nuclear factor-kappaB, JNK, as well as caspase-independent cell death pathways. EDAR is necessary for the development of hair, teeth, and other ectodermal derivatives. Furthermore, mutations in EDAR resulted in autosomal dominant and recessive forms of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

P4HB is a multifunctional and highly abundant enzyme that is part of the protein disulfide isomerase family. When present as a tetramer consisting of two alpha and two beta subunits, P4HB has a role in hydroxylation of prolyl residues in preprocollagen. P4HB is a disulfide isomerase containing two thioredoxin domains that catalyze the formation, breakage and rearrangement of disulfide bonds.

TRAF2 protein is related with transduce signals from members of the TNFR superfamily. TRAF2 is located in the cytoplasm binds to TRAF1, TRAF2, or TRAF3, thus inhibiting TRAF function by sequestering the TRAFs in a suppressed state in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of TANK inhibits TRAF2-mediated NF-Kappa-B activation signaled by CD40 and both TNF receptors and inhibits LMP1-mediated NF-kappa-B activation by blocking the association of TRAF2 with LMP1. TRAF2 is necessary for the cellular response to TNF-alpha by connecting upstream signalling molecules to the IKKs and p65.

PGM2 or Phosphoglucomutase-2 is a protein of the alpha-d-phosphohexomutase family that shares about 20% similarity with mammalian phosphoglucomutase 1. PGM2 Has low glucose 1,6-bisphosphate synthase activity. Furthermore, PGM2 catalyzes the conversion of the nucleoside breakdown products ribose-1-phosphate and deoxyribose-1-phosphate to the corresponding 5-phosphopentoses. In addition, PGM2 catalyzes the interconversion of glucose-1-phosphate and glucose-6-phosphate.

Phospholipid Scramblase 3, (PLSCR3) may mediate accelerated ATP-independent bidirectional transbilayer migration of phospholipids upon binding calcium ions which results in a loss of phospholipid asymmetry in the plasma membrane. PLSCR3 may play a key role in the initiation of fibrin clot formation, in the activation of mast cells and in the recognition of apoptotic and injured cells by the reticuloendothelial system. In addition, PLSCR3 seems to play a role in apoptosis, through translocation of cardiolipin from the inner to the outer mitochondrial membrane which promotes BID recruitment and enhances tBid-induced mitochondrial damages. Among the diseases associated with PLSCR3 are brain ischemia, and ischemia.

PRDX2 is part of the peroxiredoxin family of antioxidant enzymes, which reduce hydrogen peroxide and alkyl hydroperoxides. PRDX2 takes part as an antioxidant protective role in cells, and contributes to the antiviral activity of CD8(+) T-cells. PRDX2 has proliferative effect in cancer development or progression.
If PRDX2 protection is insufficient against peroxidases, the DNA damage results in neurological disease such as Alzheimer's or DNA damage leading to cancer.

Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic, Alpha 6 (CHRNA6) is a part of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) family. nAChRs are heteropentameric ligand-gated ion channels generating from the assembly of alpha and beta protein subunits. After binding acetylcholine, the AChRs respond by a major change in conformation which affects all subunits and leads to opening of an ion-conducting channel across the plasma membrane. CHRNA6 receptors have a rather selective localization to the nigrostriatal pathway.

RAC2 is a small signaling G protein/GTPase which is part of the RAS superfamily of small GTP-binding proteins which regulate cell growth, actin cytoskeletal organization, cell proliferation, survival, cell cycle progression, gene transcription rgulation and the activation of protein kinases. RAC2 cycles between an active gtp-bound and inactive gdp-bound state. In active state, RAC2 binds to a variety of effector proteins to regulate cellular responses, such as secretory processes, phagocytose of apoptotic cells and epithelial cell polarization. RAC2 is involved in the regulation of the nadph oxidase.

Ribosomes (the organelles that catalyze protein synthesis) consist of a small 40S subunit and a large 60S subunit. Jointly these subunits are composed of 4 RNA species and approximately 80 structurally distinct proteins. RPS10 which is is located in the cytoplasm and a part of the S10E family of ribosomal proteins, is a ribosomal protein that is a component of the 40S subunit. Variable expression of this gene in colorectal cancers compared to adjacent normal tissues has been observed, although no correlation between the level of expression and the severity of the disease has been found.

HLA-G (Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I G) is a member of the HLA class I heavy chain paralogues. This class I molecule is a heterodimer which comprises a heavy chain as well as a light chain, beta-2 microglobulin, while the heavy chain is fixed in the membrane. HLA-G is expressed on fetal derived placental cells. HLA-G is a non-classical class-I HLA molecule linked with immuno-modulatory & anti-inflammatory properties which interacts with inhibitory receptors such as, ILT2/ILT4/KIR2DL4, that are present on different immune cells. HLA-G inhibits the proliferation of T cells, B cells & natural killer cells, moreover it also induces regulatory T cells.

CMV is part of the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily of Herpesviridae; including herpes simplex virustypes 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barrvirus. The herpesviruses has the common ability to stay latentover long periods of time. CMV has the largest genome of the herpes viruses, ranging from 230-240 kilobase pairs. CMV is a double-stranded linear DNA virus with 162 hexagonal protein capsomeres surrounded by a lipid membrane. Human CMV is composed of unique and inverted repeats that include the existence of 4 genome isomers caused by inversion of L-S genome components (class E). Replication may be divided into immediate early, delayed early, and late gene expression based on time of synthesis after infection. The DNA is replicated by rolling circles. In vitro, CMV replicates in human fibroblasts.

CRP is an acute phase protein that correlates with inflammatory disease and is synthesized by hepatocytes during the acute phase response by certain cytokines (IL-1 and TNF Alpha and Beta). CRP levels increase dramatically and serve as a useful marker of inflammation in such conditions as bacterial infection, rheumatoid arthritis, viral infections, transplantation rejection, meningitis, myocardial infarction, septicemia, osteomyelitis and others. CRP is also highly correlated to Serum Amyloid A levels.

Sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a beta-globulin which specifically binds steroid hormones; it is involved in the transport of sex steroids in plasma. The main site of SHBG synthesis is assumed to be the hepatocytes. The production of SHBG is regulated by androgen/estrogen balance, thyroid hormones, and dietary factors, among others. The concentration of SHBG is a key factor regulating their distribution between protein-bound and free states. SHBG concentration determination is primarily significant in the evaluation of mild disorders of androgen metabolism and it allows detection of women with hirsutism who are likely to react to estrogen therapy. Testosterone/SHBG-ratios correlate well with both measured and calculated values for free testosterone thus aid to distinguish between subjects with excessive androgen activity and normal individuals. SHBG gene polymorphisms are linked with polycystic ovary syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Borrelia belongs to a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. Borrelia causes borreliosis, which is a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted mainly by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species. Of the 36 known species of Borrelia, 12 are distinguished to cause Lyme disease or borreliosis and are transmitted by ticks. The main Borrelia species causing Lyme disease are Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. The Borrelia genus members have a linear chromosome which is about 900 kbp in length as well as an excess of both linear and circular plasmids in the 5-220 kbp size range. The plasmids are atypical, as compared to most bacterial plasmids, since they contain many paralogous sequences, a large number of pseudogenes and, in some cases, essential genes. Moreover, a number of the plasmids have features suggesting that they are prophages.

Progesterone-Associated Endometrial Protein (PAEP) is a member of the kernel lipocalin super family whose members share rather low sequence similarity but have highly conserved exon/intron structure and three-dimensional protein folding. Most lipocalins are clustered on the long arm of chromosome 9. PAEP protein has been previously referred to as pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha-2-globulin, placental protein 14, and glycodelin.

PPIL4 belongs to an evolutionarily conserved cyclophilin-type PPIase family of proteins. PPIL4, which is ubiquitously expressed with predominant expression in kidney localizes to the nucleus and contains one PPIase cyclophilin-type domain, a lysine-rich domain, a pair of bipartite nuclear targeting sequences and one RRM (RNA recognition motif) domain. The presence of the RRM domain along with nuclear targeting sequences implies that PPIL4 may be involved in transcriptional regulation.

Ras-related protein Rab-21 (RAB21) belongs to the Ras superfamily of small GTP-binding proteins. Rab21 is an integrin-associated protein and a positive regulator of integrin traffic. Rab21 associates with the cytoplasmic domains of alpha-integrin chains and their expression influences the endo/exocytic traffic of integrins. This function of Rab21 depends on its GTP/GDP cycle and right membrane targeting.

Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) constitute a family of structurally related enzymes which catalyze disulfide bonds formation, reduction, or isomerization of newly synthesized proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). They act also as chaperones, and are, therefore, part of a quality-control system for the correct folding of the proteins in the same subcellular compartment. PDI has been found to have moderate effects (25-fold) on the rate of oxidative folding of proteins in vitro.
Recombinant Human Protein Disulfide Isomerase is involved in disulphide-bond formation and isomerization, as well as the reduction of disulphide bonds in proteins. Recombinant PDI has been found to have moderate effects (25-fold) on the rate of oxidative folding of proteins in vitro.

Akt1, also known as "Akt" or protein kinaseB (PKB) is an important molecule in mammaliancellular signaling.
In humans, there are three genes in the "Akt family": Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3. These enzymesare members of the serine/threonine-specific protein kinasefamily (EC2.7.11.1).
Akt1 is involved in cellular survival pathways, by inhibiting apoptoticprocesses. Akt1 is also able to induce protein synthesispathways, and is therefore a key signaling protein in the cellular pathways that lead to skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and general tissue growth. Since it can block apoptosis, and thereby promote cell survival, Akt1 has been implicated as a major factor in many types of cancer. Akt (now also called Akt1) was originally identified as the oncogenein the transforming retrovirus, AKT8.

NFKB inhibitor interacting Ras-like 2 (NKIRAS2) is an inhibitor of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. NKIRAS2 is similar to the Ras-like small GTPases which associate with IkappaB. The Ras-like proteins- NKIRAS1 and NKIRAS2, interact with the PEST domains of I?B? and I?B? and reduce their rate of degradation. NKIRAS2 is an atypical Ras-like protein which functions as a potent regulator of NF-kappa-B activity by preventing the degradation of NF-kappa-B inhibitor beta (NFKBIB) by most signals, explaining why NFKBIB is more impervious to degradation.

BAG3 Inhibits the chaperone activity of HSP70/HSC70 by promoting substrate release. BAG3 has anti-apoptotic activity. BAG proteins participate with Hip for their binding to Hsc70/Hsp70 ATPase domain and encourage substrate release. BAG proteins have about 45 amino acid BAG domain close to the C terminus however they differ noticeably in their N-terminal regions. BAG3 includes a WW domain in the N-terminal region and a BAG domain in the C-terminal region. The BAG domains of BAG1, BAG2, and BAG3 interact particularly with the Hsc70 ATPase domain in vitro and in mammalian cells. They bind with high affinity to the ATPase domain of Hsc70 and inhibit its chaperone activity in a Hip-repressible manner. BAG3 plays a role as a protein-refolding cochaperone of the bcl2 binding protein BAG family and as upregulated in response to persistent stress of cellular calcium balance dysregulation. BAG3 has been shown to diminish stress-induced apoptosis.

Nucleopurin 62kDa (NUP62) belongs to the FG-repeat containing nucleoporins and is localized to the nuclear pore central plug. Nucleoporins are the principal components of the nuclear pore complex in eukaryotic cells. This complex is a colossal structure which extends across the nuclear envelope, forming an entryway that regulates the stream of macromolecules between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. NUP62 associates with the importin alpha/beta complex that is involved in the import of proteins containing nuclear localization signals. Defects in the NUP62 are the cause of SNDI (infantile striatonigral degeneration), aka infantile bilateral striatal necrosis (IBSN) or familial striatal degeneration.

Pyruvate kinase is a key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway. The M2 isoenzyme of pyruvate kinase is specifically expressed at high levels in tumor cells, and can be measured in plasma of patients with advanced breast cancer. The marker is useful for measuring disease activity, sensitivity to chemotherapy and recurrence.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor Alpha or LIFR is a protein, part of the Interleukin-6 receptor group of proteins. As such, LIFR acts as a mediator for various proteins (IL-6, IL-11, IL-27, Oncostatin M etc). LIFR has many functions as a cytokine, he has an affect on the cell proliferation, differentiation and survival in the different stages of life. In different types of breast cancer LIFR is down regulated, and as such, can be used as a prognostic tool.