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Acyl-CoA synthetase family member 2, also known as ACSF2 is a member of the ATP-dependent AMP-binding enzyme family. Acyl-CoA synthetases are a family of enzymes which catalyze the thioesterification of fatty acids with coenzymeA to form activated intermediates, which play a basic part in lipid metabolism as well as homeostasis of lipid-related processes. ACSF2 is required for the complex of lipid synthesis, energy production via beta-oxidation, protein acylation and fatty-acid dependent transcriptional regulation. Moreover, ACSF2 is required for fatty acid import into cells by the process of vectorial acylation.

HSPH1 analysis is used as an indicator and as a diagnostic aid in problematic lesions. HSPH1 chaperones the responses to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress during its interactions with GRP78 and GSK3, and without HSP105 cell death following ER stress proceeds by a non-caspase-3-dependent process. HSPH1 is highly expressed in a variety of human tumors. HSPH1 is a mammalian member of the HSP105/110 family, a diverged subgroup of the HSP70 family. HSP105 has 2 isoforms, alpha and beta. Hsp105a associates with Hsp70/Hsc70 as complexes in vivo and regulates the chaperone activity of Hsp70/Hsc70 negatively in vitro and in vivo.

Ornithine aminotransferase is a key enzyme in the pathway that converts arginine and ornithine into the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA. Ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) is a 49kDa nucleus-encoded protein imported into mitochondria to give the mature 48kDa OAT polypeptide. It is found in humans, animals, insects, plants and microorganisms. The OAT has a sex-differential expression in the mouse kidney. OAT plays central physiological roles in amino acid metabolism. OAT shows a large structural and mechanistic similarity to other enzymes from the subgroup III of aminotransferases that transfer an amino group from a carbon atom which doesn’t carry a carboxyl function. OAT is vital for nitrogen recycling from arginine but not for the stress-induced proline accumulation. OAT enzyme deficiency causes the autosomal recessive eye disease Gyrate Atrophy.

Cytokeratin 14 is a member of the keratin family, the most diverse group of intermediate filaments. Cytokeratin 14 is a type I keratin, is usually found as a heterotetramer with two keratin 5 molecules, a type II keratin. Together they form the cytoskeleton of epithelial cells. Mutations in the genes for these keratins are associated with epidermolysis bullosa simplex. At least one pseudogene has been identified at 17p12-p11.

PRPS1 catalyzes the synthesis of phosphoribosylpyrophosphate (PRPP) that is essential for nucleotide synthesis. PRPS1 catalyzes the phosphoribosylation of ribose 5-phosphate to 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate, which is essential for purine metabolism and nucleotide biosynthesis. Defects in PRPS1 result in phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase superactivity, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease X-linked recessive type 5 and Arts Syndrome.

A fusion tag called FLAG consists of eight amino acids (AspTyrLysAspAspAspAspLys) including an enterokinase-cleavage site. FLAG is specifically designed for immunoaffinity chromatography. It allows elution under non-denaturing conditions. Several antibodies against this peptide have been developed. One antibody denoted as M1 binds the peptide in the presence of bivalent metal cations preferably Ca(+). Elution is effected by chelating agents. Another strategy is competitive elution with excess of free Flag Peptide. The FLAG peptide purifies and detects recombinant fusion proteins. FLAG peptide is useful in Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, protein purification, and in the study of protein-protein interactions, cell ultrastructure, and protein localization. Flag peptide is a hydrophilic tag which significantly improves the detection and purification of recombinant fusion proteins.

Glutathione synthetase (GSS) is the second enzyme in the glutathione biosynthesis pathway. GSS catalyses the condensation of gamma-glutamylcysteine and glycine to form glutathione. Defects in the GSS are the cause of glutathione synthetase deficiency aka GSS deficiency or 5-oxoprolinuria or pyroglutamic aciduria, which is a severe form characterized by an increased rate of hemolysis and defective function of the central nervous system.

Follistatin is a single-chain gonadal protein that specifically inhibits follicle-stimulating hormone release. The single FST gene encodes two isoforms, FST317 and FST344 containing 317 and 344 amino acids respectively, resulting from alternative splicing of the precursor mRNA. In a study in which 37 candidate genes were tested for linkage and association with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hyperandrogenemia in 150 families, evidence was found for linkage between PCOS and follistatin. Follistatin functions as an ACTV antagonist. specific inhibitor of the biosynthesis and secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (fsh).

PA2G4 belongs to the peptidase M24C family and functions as an RNA-binding protein involved in cellular proliferation and differentiation processes. PA2G4 is a component of pre-ribosomal ribonucleoprotein complexes, participating in ribosome assembly and regulating the later steps of rRNA processing. Also, PA2G4 interacts with ErbB-3 and may function as a modulator of the ErbB-3 mediated signal transduction pathway by regulating the effects of Neuregulin-1. Furthermore, PA2G4 is a transcriptional co-repressor of androgen receptor-regulated genes and other cell cycle regulatory genes through its interactions with histone deacetylases. PA2G4 is implicated in growth inhibition and the induction of differentiation of human cancer cells. In addition, PA2G4 mediates cap-independent translation of specific viral IRESs (internal ribosomal entry site). PA2G4 associates with 28S, 18S and 5.8S mature rRNAs, several rRNA precursors and probably U3 small nucleolar RNA.

KRT18 encodes the type I intermediate filament chain keratin 18. Keratin 18, together with its filament partner keratin 8, are perhaps the most commonly found members of the intermediate filament gene family. They are expressed in single layer epithelial tissues of the body. Mutations in this gene have been linked to cryptogenic cirrhosis. Two transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene.

MAT2A is an important enzyme in cellular metabolism and catalyzes the formation of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) from L-methionine and ATP. MAT2A is expressed in extrahepatic tissues. In liver, MAT2A expression associates with growth, dedifferentiation, and cancer. NF-kappa B and AP-1 are necessary for basal MAT2A expression in HepG2 cells and mediate the increase in MAT2A expression in response to TNF-alpha. Up-regulation of MAT2A provides growth improvement and s-adenosylmethionine and methylthioadenosine thus can block mitogenic signaling in colon cancer cells. Lower expression of both MAT2A and MAT2beta and interfere with leptin signaling in liver cancer cells.

ASF1A is part of the H3/H4 family of histone chaperone proteins corresponding to the anti-silencing function-1 gene in yeast. ASF1A is an important element of the histone donor complex that functions in nucleosome assembly. ASF1A interacts with histones H3 and H4, and functions together with a chromatin assembly factor during DNA replication and repair. Deletion of ASF1A in yeast and Drosophila confers sensitivity to various DNA damaging agents and inhibitors of DNA replication, increases genomic instability and sister chromatid exchange, and activates the DNA damage checkpoint.

Salmonella Typhi is a pathogen causing typhoid fever, affecting over 17 million people with approximately 600,000 deaths annually worldwide. If untreated, typhoid fever cases result in mortality rates ranging from 12-30%.

IFN-gamma produced by lymphocytes activated by specific antigens or mitogens.
IFN-gamma, in addition to having antiviral activity, has important immunoregulatory functions, it is a potent activator of macrophages, and has antiproliferative effects on transformed cells and it can potentiate the antiviral and antitumor effects of the type I IFNs.

A 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

Melanotan and Melanotan-II are both analogs of the peptide hormone alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH) that tend to induce skin tanning. Unlike Melanotan, Melanotan-II has the additional effect of increasing libido. Melanotan II has aphrodisiac properties.

IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor-1) is a major hormonal mediator of statural growth. Under regular circumstances, GH (growth hormone) binds to its receptor in the liver, and other tissues, and stimulates the synthesis/secretion of IGF-1. In target tissues, the Type 1 IGF receptor, that is homologous to the insulin receptor, is activated by IGF-1, leading to intracellular signaling which stimulates multiple processes leading to statural growth. IGF-1 metabolic actions are partly directed at stimulating the uptake of glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids so that metabolism supports growing tissues.

Keratin 8 and 18 (K8/18) are the major components of intermediate filament (IF) proteins of simple or single-layered epithelia.

A 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

SARS Associated Coronavirus Envelope is a small membrane protein that takes major part in the life cycle of the virus. This protein is needed for the assembly, budding, creation of the envelope and pathogenesis. This protein contains 3 outer structural proteins, the membrane (M), envelope (E), and spike (S) proteins. Spike (S)-glycoprotein of the virus interacts with a cellular receptor and mediates membrane fusion to assure viral entry thetarget cells. Accordingly, S-protein has a major part in virus infection cycle and is the mainly target of neutralizing antibodies.

Yersinia enterocolitica is a Gram-negative bacillus-shaped bacterium, which is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Y.Enterocolitica is motile at temperatures between 22-29°C, however becomes non-motile at normal human body temperature. Y. Enterocolitica infection causes the yersiniosis disease, which is an animal-borne disease occurring in humans, as well as in a various groups of animals such as cattle, deer, pigs, and birds. Yersinia enterocolitica is a heterogeneous group of strains, which are conventionally classified by bio-typing into six bio-groups on the basis of phenotypic characteristics, and by serotyping into more than 57 “O” serogroups, on the basis of their O (lipopolysaccharide or LPS) surface antigen. Five of the six biogroups (1B and 2–5) are considered as pathogens. Nevertheless, only a few of these serogroups have been linked with disease in either humans or animals. Strains which belong to serogroups O:3 (biogroup 4), O:5,27 (biogroups 2 and 3), O:8 (biogroup 1B), and O:9 (biogroup 2) are most frequently isolated worldwide from human samples. Still, the main Y. enterocolitica serogroup in many European countries is serogroup O:3 followed by O:9, whereas the serogroup O:8 is mostly detected in the United States.

Defensins form a family of microbicidal and cytotoxic peptides made by neutrophils. Members of the defensin family are highly similar in protein sequence. This gene encodes defensin, beta 103A, which has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and may play an important role in innate epithelial defense.

Murine IL-36a belongs to the IL-1 family that includes IL-1b, IL-1a, IL-1ra, IL-18, IL-36ra (IL1F5), IL-36b (IL1F8), IL-36g (IL1F9), IL-37 (IL1F7) and IL-38 (IL-1F10). The IL-1 family members display a 12 b-strand, b-trefoil configuration, and are thought to have ascended from a mutual ancestral gene. Murine IL-36a is a 160 amino acid intracellular and secreted protein which holds no signal sequence, no prosegment and no potential N-linked glycosylation sites. IL-36a is released as a reaction to LPS and the cell ATP-induced activation of the P2X7 receptor.
Mouse to human, full length IL-36a/IL-1F6 shares 54% aa sequence homology. IL-36a is mostly found in skin and lymphoid tissues, but also in fetal brain, trachea, stomach and intestine.