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AKR1C3 is part of the aldo/keto reductase superfamily, which has at least 40 identified proteins. AKR1C3 catalyzes the conversion of aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols by utilizing NADH and/or NADPH as cofactors. AKR1C3 displays overlapping but distinct substrate specificity. AKR1C3 catalyzes the reduction of prostaglandin (PG) D2, PGH2 and phenanthrenequinone (PQ), and the oxidation of 9alpha,11beta-PGF2 to PGD2. AKR1C3 is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases such as asthma. AKR1C3 controls cell growth and/or differentiation. AKR1C3 takes part in adrenal testosterone production. AKR1C3 expression is affected by metabolic disease, and its levels are considerably reduced in response to diet-induced weight loss and correlate with leptin levels.

Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) is a member of the MsrA Met sulfoxide reductase family. The MSRA enzyme has a vital function as a repair enzyme for proteins which have been inactivated by oxidation. MSRA catalyzes the reversible oxidation-reduction of methionine sulfoxide in proteins to methionine. The three substrates of the MSRA enzyme are peptide-L-methionine, thioredoxin disulfide, and H2O, while its 2 products are peptide-L-methionine (R)-S-oxide and thioredoxin. The MSRA protein is ubiquitous and extremely conserved. Human and animal studies have shown the ultimate levels of expression in kidney and nervous tissue.

NCR2 is a member of the natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) family and holds 1 immunoglobulin-like (Ig-like) domain. NCR2 cooperates with TYROBP/DAP12 and is specifically expressed by activated NK cells and by in vitro cultured TCRg/d lymphoid cells. NCR2 is a cytotoxicity-activating receptor which induces the amplified efficiency of activated natural killer (NK) cells to mediate tumor cell lysis.

ASCC1 is a subunit of the triggering signal cointegrator 1 (ASC-1) complex which is a transcriptional coactivator. ASC-1 complex takes a vital part in gene transactivation using various transcription factors such as activating protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) and serum response factor (SRF). ASCC1 has an N-terminal KH-type RNA-binding motif, essential for AP-1 transactivation by the ASC-1 complex. Alterations in ASCC1 result in Barrett esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

NK3 Homeobox1 (NKX3-1) is a homeobox-containing transcription factor, which binds preferentially the consensus sequence 5'-TAAGT[AG]-3' and may act as a transcriptional repressor. The NKX3-1 transcription factor functions as a negative regulator of epithelial cell growth in prostate tissue. NKX3-1 has an imperative role in normal prostate development, regulating proliferation of glandular epithelium and in the formation of ducts in prostate. In addition, NKX3-1 functions as a tumor suppressor controlling prostate carcinogenesis, as shown by its ability to inhibit proliferation and invasion activities of PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Abnormal expression of NKX3-1 is linked with prostate tumor progression.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 5 (CXCL5) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also known as epithelial-derived neutrophil-activating peptide 78 (ENA-78). It is produced following stimulation of cells with the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Expression of CXCL5 has also been observed in eosinophils. This chemokine stimulates the chemotaxis of neutrophils possesses angiogenic properties. It elicits these effects by interacting with the cell surface chemokine receptor CXCR2. The gene for CXCL5 is encoded on four exons and is located on human chromosome 4 amongst several other CXC chemokine genes. CXCL5 has been implicated in connective tissue remodelling.

ENO3 is one of three enolase isoenzymes in mammals. The homodimer ENO3 is located in skeletal muscle cells of adults and has a part in converting phosphoglyceric acid to phosphenolpyruvic acid in the glycolytic pathway. Mutations in ENO3 gene is linked to metabolic myopathies which is caused by low stability of the enzyme.

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that acts as a growth and differentiation factor for both B cells and eosinophils. This cytokine is a main regulator of eosinopoiesis, eosinophil maturation and activation. The elevated production of this cytokine is reported to be related to asthma or hypereosinophilic syndromes. The receptor of this cytokine is a heterodimer, whose beta subunit is shared with the receptors for interleukine 3 (IL3) and colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2/GM-CSF). This gene, together with those for interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 13 (IL13), and CSF2, form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5. This cytokine, IL4, and IL13 are found to be regulated coordinately by long-range regulatory elements spread over 120 kilobases on chromosome 5q31.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemokine produced by macrophages and other cell types such as epithelial cells. It is also synthesized by endothelial cells, which store IL-8 in their storage vesicles, the Weibel-Palade bodies. When first encountering an antigen, the primary cells to encounter it are the macrophages who phagocytose the particle. Upon processing, they release chemokines to signal other immune cells to come in to the site of inflammation. IL-8 is one such chemokine. It serves as a chemical signal that attracts neutrophils at the site of inflammation, and therefore is also known as Neutrophil Chemotactic Factor.

BTLA, also known as B And T Lymphocyte Associated, is an inhibitory molecule which is part of the Ig superfamily. BTLA is a type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein in the CD28 family of T cell costimulatory molecules. BTLA is a 3rd inhibitory receptor on T lymphocytes with resemblances to CTLA-4 & PD-1. Moreover, BTLA is a ligand for TNF (receptor) superfamily, TNFRSF14, and HVEM. BTLA-HVEM complexes negatively regulate T-cell immune responses.

Tachykinin-1 (TAC1) belongs to the tachykinin peptide hormone family. TAC1 are a family of peptides which have similar biologic activities and share a common C-terminal sequence, phe-X-gly-leu-met-NH2, however they have distinct N-terminal sequences that convey receptor specificities. TAC1 is assumed to act as neurotransmitters which interact with nerve receptors and smooth muscle cells. TAC1 induces behavioral responses and serves as vasodilators and secretagogues.

Ketosamine-3-kinase (FN3KRP) catalyzes the phosphorylation of psicosamines and ribulosamines compared to the adjacent gene which encodes a highly analogous enzyme, fructosamine-3-kinase that has different substrate specificity. The activity of both enzymes may cause deglycation of proteins to reinstate their function. A high concentration of glucose can result in non-enzymatic oxidation of proteins by reaction of glucose and lysine residues (glycation). The proteins altered in this way, are less active or functional.

Polymerase (RNA) II (DNA directed) Polypeptide K, also knownas POLR2K is am ember of the archaeal RpoP/eukaryotic RPC10 RNA polymerase subunit family. POLR2K is one of the smallest subunits of RNA polymerase II, the polymerase is responsible for synthesizing messenger RNA in eukaryotes. In addition, the other two DNA-directed RNA polymerases share this subunit.

Leukocyte Cell Derived Chemotaxin 1, 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.

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.

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.

Clusterin also named Apolipoprotein J (APO-J) is a 75-80 kD disulfide-linked heterodimeric protein containing about 30% of N-linked carbohydrate rich in sialic acid but truncated forms targeted to the nucleus have also been identified.
The precursor polypeptide chain is cleaved proteolytically to remove the 22-mer secretory signal peptide and subsequently between residues 227/228 to generate the a and b chains. These are assembled in anti-parallel to give a heterodimeric molecule in which the cysteine-rich centers are linked by five disulfide bridges and are flanked by two predicted coiled-coil a-helices and three predicted amphipathic a-helices.
Across a broad range of species clusterin shows a high degree of sequence homology ranging from 70% to 80%. It is nearly ubiquitously expressed in most mammalian tissues and can be found in plasma, milk, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and semen.
It is able to bind and form complexes with numerous partners such as immunoglobulins, lipids, heparin, bacteria, complement components, paraoxonase, beta amyloid, leptin and others. Clusterin has been ascribed a plethora of functions such as phagocyte recruitment, aggregation induction, complement attack prevention, apoptosis inhibition, membrane remodeling, lipid transport, hormone transport and/or scavenging, matrix metalloproteinase inhibition.
A genuine function of clusterin has not been defined. One tempting hypothesis says that clusterin is an extracellular chaperone protecting cells from stress induced insults caused by degraded and misfolded protein precipitates.
Clusterin is up- or down regulated on the mRNA or protein level in many pathological and clinically relevant situations including cancer, organ regeneration, infection, Alzheimer disease, retinitis pigmentosa, myocardial infarction, renal tubular damage, autoimmunity and others.

RAB31 Member RAS Oncogene Family (RAB31) is a 194 amino lipid-anchored protein which localizes to the cytoplasmic side of the cell membrane and is a member of the Ras related GTPase superfamily. RAB31 is expressed at high levels in the lung, brain and heart. RAB31 functions in a similar mode to other Rab proteins, namely playing a part in protein transport. Small GTP-binding proteins of the RAB family, for example RAB31, play critical roles in vesicle and granule targeting. RAB31 gas the highest expression in the placenta and brain with lower levels in the heart and lung. However, RAB31 is not detected in liver, skeletal muscle, kidney or pancreas.

RAB32 is a member of the small GTPase superfamily. RAB32 controls ER calcium management and disturbs the specific enhancement of calnexin on the MAM (mitochondria-associated membrane), however avoids affecting the ER distribution of protein-disulfide isomerase and mitofusin-2. Furthermore, RAB32 regulates the targeting of PKA (cAMP-dependent protein kinase) to mitochondrial and ER membranes and by inactivation or overexpression enhances the phosphorylation of Drp1 and Bad. Using a combination of its functions as a regulator of MAM properties and a PKA-anchoring protein, the activity and expression level of RAB32 define the speed of apoptosis onset.

Regulator of G-protein signaling 21 (RGS21) belongs to the RGS family and regulatory molecules which act as GTPase activating proteins for G alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. The RGS21 protein inhibits signal transduction by increasing the GTPase activity of G protein alpha subunits thus driving them into their inactive GDP-bound form.

Ring Finger Protein 7, also known as RNF7, is an extremely conserved ring finger protein. RNF7 is a vital subunit of SKP1-cullin/CDC53-F box protein ubiquitin ligases that are a part of the protein degradation machinery important for cell cycle progression and signal transduction. RNF7 is a substrate of casein kinase II (CSNK2A1/CKII) and also interacts with it. The phosphorylation of RNF7 by CSNK2A1 promotes the degradation of IkappaBalpha (CHUK/IKK-alpha/IKBKA) and p27Kip1(CDKN1B).

Interleukin-7 receptor (IL7R) ,is a hematopoietin receptor superfamily member. IL7R takes a vital part in lymphocyte differentiation, proliferation, multiple sclerosis, as well as survival. IL7R protein signaling is vital for T-cell development and regulation of native and memory T-cell homeostasis. Likewise, IL7R is critically needed for the proper function & development of lymphoid cells.