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Inositol oxygenase is a non-heme di-iron enzyme which oxidizes myo-inositol to glucuronic acid. In addition, inositol oxygenase oxidizes the less abundant chiro isomer of inositol. MIOX enzyme is a component of the only known pathway for the catabolism of inositol in humans. MIOX is expressed mostly in the kidneys. Reduction of Inositol Oxygenase and accumulation of polyols, such as inositol and xylitol, have been implicated as contributing factors in complications linked with diabetes.

Decorin (DCN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which is closely related in structure to biglycan protein. Decorin is a secreted protein which binds to collagen and fibronectin in extracellular matrix. Decorin appears in different glycoforms, substituted with chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate consistent with the original tissue. DCN contains one attached glycosaminoglycan chain. Decorin influences the rate of fibril formation. Decorin is capable of suppressing the growth of various tumor cell lines. DCN gene defects cause corneal dystrophy. The DCN gene is a candidate gene for Marfan syndrome.

Myosin light polypeptide 6 (MYL6) is a hexameric ATPase cellular motor protein. MYL6 is composed of 2 heavy chains, 2 nonphosphorylatable alkali light chains, and 2o phosphorylatable regulatory light chains. MYL6 is a myosin alkali light chain which is expressed in smooth muscle and non-muscle tissues. MYL6 partakes in generating the force for cellular movements, thus having an imperative role in overall cellular function.

SERPINB2 is an inhibitory serpin produced primarily in keratinocytes, stimulated monocytes, and placental trophoblasts. SERPINB2 is found primarily as a 47 kDa non-glycosylated intracellular protein that is induced to be secreted as 60 kDa glycoprotein. The glycosylated and unglycosylated SERPINB2 are similarly effective as inhibitors of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), the only proven physiological target of SERPINB2.

Nogginwhich is encoded by the NOG gene, binds and inactivates members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling proteins, such as bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4). By diffusing through extracellular matrices more efficiently than members of the TGF-beta superfamily, noggin may play and important role in creating morphogenic gradients. Noggin appears to have pleiotropic effect, both early in development as well as in later stages. Noggin was originally isolated from Xenopus based on its ability to restore normal dorsal-ventral body axis in embryos that had been artificially ventralized by UV treatment. The results of the mouse knockout of noggin suggest that it is involved in numerous developmental processes, such as neural tube fusion and joint formation. There are several dominant human NOG mutations in unrelated families with proximal symphalangism (SYM1) and multiple synostoses syndrome (SYNS1). All NOG mutations altered evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of human noggin is highly homologous to that of Xenopus, rat and mouse.

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that regulates T and natural killer cell activation and proliferation. This cytokine and interleukine 2 share many biological activities. They are found to bind common hematopoietin receptor subunits, and may compete for the same receptor, and thus negatively regulate each other's activity. The number of CD8+ memory cells is shown to be controlled by a balance between this cytokine and IL2. This cytokine induces the activation of JAK kinases, as well as the phosphorylation and activation of transcription activators STAT3, STAT5, and STAT6. Studies of the mouse counterpart suggested that this cytokine may increase the expression of apoptosis inhibitor BCL2L1/BCL-x(L), possibly through the transcription activation activity of STAT6, and thus prevent apoptosis. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding the same protein have been reported.

P-Selectin also called Platelet Alpha-Granule Membrane Protein, CD62, and Granulocyte Membrane Protein GRMP belongs to a family of divalent cation-dependent carbohydrate-binding glycoproteins or adhesion molecules. Pselectin is expressed transiently on the surface of activated platelets and endothelial cells. P-Selectin is a 140 kDa protein which is stored in the alpha-granules of platelets and Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells. Secreted P-selectin is thought to play a key role in the adhesion of platelets to monocytes and neutrophils during an inflammatory response. P-Selectin is a calcium-dependent receptor that binds to sialylated forms of Lewis blood group carbohydrate antigens on neutrophils and monocytes. Levels of P-Selectin may be elevated in a number of pathological conditions.

Carbonic anhydrase (carbonate dehydratase) is a family of metalloenzymes (enzymes that contain one or more metal atoms as a functional component of the enzyme) that catalyze the rapid (and reversible) conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and protons, a reaction that occurs rather slowly in the absence of a catalyst. Carbonic anhydrase greatly increases the rate of the reaction, with typical catalytic rates of the different forms of this enzyme ranging between 104 and 106 reactions per second. The active site of most carbonic anhydrases contains a zincion. CAIII is a cytoplasmic isoenzyme, but is released into the circulation following injury.

Inositol monophosphatase 3 (IMPAD1) belongs to the inositol monophosphatase family. IMPAD1 is restricted to the Golgi apparatus and catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphoadenosine phosphate (PAP) to adenosine monophosphate (AMP). IMPAD1 gene mutations cause the GRAPP type chondrodysplasia with joint dislocations, and a pseudogene of the IMPAD1 gene is located on the long arm of chromosome 1.

Platelet glycoprotein IV, also known as CD36 is an integral membrane glycoprotein which has multiple physiological functions. CD36 is broadly expressed on a wide array of cell types. CD36 is part of the scavenger receptor family and acts as a multiligand pattern recognition receptor which interacts with a large number of structurally dissimilar ligands. Furthermore, CD36 participates in lipid metabolism and has been known as a fatty acid translocase which is required for the binding as well as transport of LCFA in cells & tissues. CD36 also takes a major part in the initiation as well as pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and atherosclerosis. CD36 is an integral membrane protein which mainly functions as a receptor for thrombospondin & collagen. CD36 directly mediates the cytoadherence of Plasmodium falciparum parasitized erythrocytes.

CD55 belongs to the RCA (regulators of complement activation) family characterized by 4-30 SCRs (short consensus repeats) in their plasma-exposed regions. CD55 is widely expressed in malignant tumors and nevertheless functions as an inhibitor of the complement system.

Cadherin-2 isoform 1, also known as CDH2 is a transmembrane, homophilic glycoprotein which belongs to the calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule family. CDH2 takes part in neurons and later on was discovered to participate in cardiac muscle and in cancer metastasis as well. The CDH2 loss promotes tumorigenesis through releasing membrane-bound β-catenin, and so stimulating Wnt signaling. Furthermore, CDH2 appears to be implicated in tumor development, however this discovery is limited in adrenocortical tumors-ACTs.

Chromgranin-A is part of the neuroendocrine secretory protein family. CHGA is located in secretory vesicles of neurons and endocrine cells. Chromgranin-A is a precursor to three biologically active peptides; vasostatin, pancreastatin, and parastatin. These peptides act as autocrine or paracrine negative modulators of the neuroendocrine system. Other peptides, including chromostatin, beta-granin, WE-14 and GE-25, are also derived from the full-length protein. Chromgranin-A has numerous biological activities on some tissues and organs and exerts a large spectrum of homeostatic actions, including antifungal and antimicrobial effect, modulation of cell adhesion, and inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion.

Creatine Kinase BB is a cytoplasmic enzyme involved in energy homeostasis. The encoded protein reversibly catalyzes the transfer of phosphate between ATP and various phosphogens such as creatine phosphate. It acts as a homodimer in brain as well as in other tissues, and as a heterodimer with a similar muscle isozyme in heart. The encoded protein is a member of the ATP:guanido phosphotransferase protein family. A pseudogene of this gene has been characterized.

Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor, also known as CNTFR is a member of the type I cytokine receptor family. CNTFR binds to CNTF.The alpha subunit provides the receptor specificity.Sole nucleotide polymorphisms in CNTFR has been associated with variations in muscle strength, in addition to early onset of eating disorders.

Haptoglogin participates in intestinal permeability, permitting intercellular tight junction disassembly, and controlling the equilibrium among tolerance and immunity to non-self antigens. Haptoglobin has antibacterial activity and takes part in modulating many aspects of the acute phase response. Haptoglobin is processed to yield both alpha and beta chains, which later unite as a tetramer to produce haptoglobin. Haptoglobin binds free hemoglobin (Hb) secreted from erythrocytes In blood plasma with high affinity and thus inhibits its oxidative activity. Further, the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex is being removed by the reticuloendothelial system.

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.

The cytokine Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been identified to be secreted by the pituitary gland and the monocyte/macrophage and to play an important role in endotoxic shock. MIF has the unique property of being released from macrophages and T cells in response to physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. The secretion of MIF is tightly regulated and decreases at high, anti-inflammatory steroid concentration.

SARS Associated Coronavirus Spike is a causative agent of SARS virus. Diseases caused by Coronaviruses are usually controlled by CD8 T cells. The spike antigen is one of the main surface proteins on Coronavirus, therefore one of the main proteins that are candidates for vaccines.

Endothelial sialomucin (Endomucin) interferes with the assembly of focal adhesion complexes and inhibits interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix. Endomucin is expressed in the heart, kidney and lung.

Kidney associated antigen 1 (KAAG1) is expressed in testis and kidney, and, at lower levels, in urinary bladder and liver. KAAG1 is expressed by numerous tumors of various histologic origin, including melanomas, sarcomas and colorectal carcinomas.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to IFN-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to IFN-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram negative bacteria which colonizes in the human stomach and stimulates gastric mucosal inflammations leading to acute gastritis-associated diseases among them are atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer.

H. pylori is found in half of the world’s population and is defined as a group I carcinogens. .

An important virulence factor of H. pylori is Cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) which is located at the end of an approximately 40-kb cluster of genes called cag pathoge¬nicity island (PAI).

Cag PAI encodes a type-IV secretion system and transfers CagA protein into the intracellular region of gastric epithelial cell.

This relocation induces cellular hyper proliferation, apoptosis and leading to failure of gastric epithelial cell in maintaining its normal cytoskeletal structure. Furthermore it increases the secretion of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL) 1, 6 and 8 by the epithelial cells.

The IL-8 leads to extreme inflammatory responses and also stimulates the production of oxygen free radicals that could cause DNA damage to adjacent cells and lead to genetic modifications of gastric epithelial cells which are carcinogenic.