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BMP2 belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. Bone morphogenic protein induces bone formation. BMP2 is a candidate gene for the autosomal dominant disease of fibrodysplasia (myositis) ossificans progressiva.

Fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) is a member of the large FGF family which has at least 23 members. FGF18 is a heparin binding growth factor with a core 120 amino acid FGF domain which allows for a common tertiary structure. FGFs are expressed in the course of the embryonic development and in restricted adult tissues. FGF-18 is an indispensable regulator of long bone and calvarial development. FGF-18 signals via FGFR 1c, 2c, 3c, and 4.

Human CCL16, also called HCC-4, liver-expressed chemokine (LEC), and lymphocyte and monocyte chemoattractant (LMC), is a novel CC chemokine recognized by bioinformatics. NCC-4 cDNA encodes a 120 amino acids along with a 23 amino acids signal peptide that is cleaved to generate 97 amino acid protein. HCC4 is vaguely related to other CC chemokines, showing less than 30% sequence identity. Among CC chemokines, CCL-16 has the largest similarity to HCC-1. 2 potential polyadenylation signals are present on the human HCC-4 gene, and as a result, 2 transcripts containing roughly 1,500 base pairs and 500 base pairs have been detected. HCC-4 is expressed weakly by some lymphocytes, including NK cells, T cells, and some T cell clones. The expression of HCC-4 in monocytes is greatly upregulated in the presence of IL-10.
CCL16 shows chemotactic activity for lymphocytes and monocytes rather than to neutrophils. NCC-4 has potent myelosuppressive activity, suppresses proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells. CCL16 demonstrates chemotactic activity for monocytes and thp-1 monocytes, rather than for resting lymphocytes and neutrophils. HCC-4 induces a calcium flux in thp-1 cells that desensitized prior to the expression of rantes.

GADD45G is part of the nuclear proteins to interact with various proteins whose transcript levels are raised after stressful growth arrest conditions and treatment with DNA-damaging agents. GADD45G reacts to environmental stresses by mediating activation of the p38/JNK pathway which is mediated through their protein binding and activating MTK1/MEKK4 kinase, which is an upstream activator of both p38 and JNK MAPKs. GADD45G acts as a new-age tumor suppressor however is being frequently inactivated epigenetically in multiple tumors. GADD45G mRNA expression is down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma. GADD45G causes cell cycle arrest at G2/M transition when transfected into Hep-G2 cells. GADD45 Gamma induction by androgens involves new protein synthesis. Overexpression of GADD45 Gamma inhibits cell growth and causes morphological modifications in prostate cell lines thus GADD45 gamma takes part in differentiation induction by androgens.

The GAGA factor is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein, which participates in the regulation of the expression of a variety of different classes of genes in Drosophila such as many developmentally regulated genes, stress induced genes, and cell cycle regulated genes, as well as housekeeping genes. GAGA contains a C-terminal glutamine-rich domain and a highly conserved N-terminal POZ domain which reported to be involved in self-oligomerization in a number of other POZ domain containing proteins. In case of GAGA protein, the N-terminal POZ domain mediates the formation of oligomers both in vitro and in vivo.

Lipocalin-1 (LCN1) belongs to the lipocalin family of small secretory proteins. Lipocalins are extracellular transport proteins, which bind to various hydrophobic ligands. LCN1 protein is the principal lipid binding protein in tears and is overproduced in response to numerous stimuli including infection and stress. LCN1 is a marker for chromosome aneuploidy as well as an autoantigen in Sjogren's syndrome.

Recombinant Human Lipocalin-2 also called Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) belongs to a family of lipocans which include 25 proteins (including a1-microglobulin and b-lactoglobulin), which are characterized by their ability to bind small lipophilic substances in their hydrophobic core.
They thereby serve as transporters of substances like retinal, biliverdins & prostaglandins. There are indications that NGAL is involved in modulation of the inflammatory response and is found in the plasma of patients after stroke.

Leucine zipper down-regulated in cancer 1-like (LDOC1L) is a member of the LDOC1 family. LDOC1L is a nuclear protein containing a leucine zipper-like motif and a proline-rich region that shares noticeable similarity with an SH3-binding domain. LDOC1L localizes to the nucleus and is downregulated in certain cancer cell lines. LDOC1L is believed to regulate the transcriptional response mediated by the nuclear factor kB (NFkB).

Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR/NTR), an enzyme belonging to the flavoprotein family of pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductases. Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), a component of the thioredoxin system, including thioredoxin (Trx) and NADPH, catalyzes the transfer of electrons from NADPH to Trx, acts as a reductant of disulfide-containing proteins and participates in the defense system against oxidative stresses.

GrpE , co-chaperone of E.coli, participates actively in the response to hyperosomotic and heat shock by preventing the aggregation of stress-denatured proteins in association with DnaK. This protein is the nucleotide exchange factor for DnaK and may function as a thermosensor. Several rounds of ATP-dependent interactions between DnaJ, DnaK and GrpE are required for fully efficient folding.

Vaspin (visceral adipose-specific SERPIN) is a newly identified adipokine, which is a member of serine protease inhibitor family. Vaspin is also a unique insulin sensitizing adipocytokine in obesity. A recent publication indicates that induction of human vaspin mRNA expression in adipose tissue is regulated in a fat depot-specific manner and could be associated with parameters of obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism.

Vaspin (visceral adipose-specific SERPIN), a newly identified adipokine, which is a member of serine protease inhibitor family. Vaspin is also a unique insulin sensitizing adipocytokine in obesity. A recent publication indicates that induction of human vaspin mRNA expression in adipose tissue is regulated in a fat depot-specific manner and could be associated with parameters of obesity, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism.

TNFSF15 is a cytokine that belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. This protein is abundantly expressed in endothelial cells, but is not expressed in either B or T cells. The expression of TNFSF15 is inducible by TNF and IL-1 alpha. This cytokine is a ligand for receptor TNFRSF25 and decoy receptor TNFRSF21/DR6. It can activate NF-kappaB and MAP kinases, and acts as an autocrine factor to induce apoptosis in endothelial cells. TNFSF15 is also found to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation, and thus may function as an angiogenesis inhibitor. An additional isoform encoded by an alternatively spliced transcript variant has been reported but the sequence of this transcript has not been determined.

The acute phase plasma protein ORM1 synthesized by the liver mediates the interaction between blood cells and endothelial cells. In addition, together with haptoglobin and C reactive protein, ORM1 regulates the extravasation of the cells through infection and inflammation. Expression of ORM1 is induced by acute-phase stimulatory mediators such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides.

Cystatins are a superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in both plants and animals. They comprise a group of proteinase inhibitors, widely distributed in tissues and body fluids, and form tight complexes with cysteine proteases such as cathepsin B, H, L and S. Cystatin C, a secreted molecule of this family, is of interest from biochemical, medicine and evolutionary points of view. Cystatin C, with molecular weight of 13260 Da, is composed of 120 amino acids, lacks carbohydrate and has two disulfide bridges located near the carboxyl terminus. Cystatin C is increased in patients with malignant diseases, and is related to the insufficiency of renal function and appears to be a better marker than creatinine. On the other hand, low levels of cystatin C involve cause the breakdown of the elastic laminae and, subsequently, the atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Cystatins are a superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in both plants and animals. They comprise a group of proteinase inhibitors, widely distributed in tissues and body fluids, and form tight complexes with cysteine proteases such as cathepsin B, H, L and S. Cystatin C, a secreted molecule of this family, is of interest from biochemical, medicine and evolutionary points of view. Cystatin C, with molecular weight of 13260 Da, is composed of 120 amino acids, lacks carbohydrate and has two disulfide bridges located near the carboxyl terminus. Cystatin C is increased in patients with malignant diseases, and is related to the insufficiency of renal function and appears to be a better marker than creatinine. On the other hand, low levels of cystatin C involve cause the breakdown of the elastic laminae and, subsequently, the atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Adiponectin is an important negative regulator in hematopoiesis and immune systems. It may be involved in ending inflammatory responses through its inhibitory functions. Inhibits endothelial nf-kappa-b signaling through a camp-dependent pathway. Inhibits tnf-alpha- induced expression of endothelial adhesion molecules. Involved in the control of fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Cathepsin F (CTSF) is a member of the peptidase C1 family. Cathepsins are papain family cysteine proteinases which are a main component of the lysosomal proteolytic system. The CTSF gene is ubiquitously expressed, and it maps to chromosome 11q13, close to the gene encoding cathepsin W. CTSF plays a role in normal protein catabolism. CTSF is involved in some degradative processes occurring in tumor progression since it is highly expressed in some cancer cell lines.

Neudesin Neurotrophic Factor (NENF) is a member of the cytochrome b5 family, MAPR subfamily. NENF contains 1 cytochrome b5 heme-binding domain. NENF exhibits neurotrophic activity and activates phosphorylation of MAPK1/ERK2, MAPK3/ERK1 and AKT1/AKT in primary cultured neurons. NENF doesn’t have mitogenic activity in primary cultured astrocytes. NENF may play a part in neuronal differentiation and may have a transient influence on neural cell proliferation in neural precursor cells. NENF neurotrophic activity is increased by binding to heme. NENF is up-regulated in immortal cells and induced in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer expressing progesterone receptor.

NFKBIA belongs to the I-kappa-B family of proteins which is separated into four groups (IkB-a, IkB-b, IkB-g, IkB-e). NFKBIA inhibits the NFkB complex by binding and impounding it in the cytoplasm. When stimulated, NFKBIA is phosphorylated on serine residues targeting it for degradation by the ubiquitin pathway.

Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3, also known as SOCS3 belongs to the SOCS family; in addition SOCS3 is a member of the STAT-induced STAT inhibitor (SSI). The SSI family members are cytokine-inducible negative regulators of cytokine signaling. The expression of SOCS3 is induced by different cytokines, including IL6 and IL10. SOCS3 can bind to JAK2 kinase, and inhibit the activity of JAK2 kinase. Studies of the mouse counterpart of SOCS3 have shown the roles of SOCS3 in the negative regulation of fetal liver hematopoiesis, and placental development.

E-cadherin (uvomorulin, cell-CAM120/80) is a calcium dependent cell adhesion molecule expressed predominately in epithelial tissues. It plays an important role in the growth and development of cells via the mechanisms of control of tissue architecture and the maintenance of tissue integrity. Numerous studies have demonstrated that reduction and/or loss of Ecadherin expression in carcinomas correlates positively with the potential of these tumors for invasion and metastasis.