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The somatomedins, or insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), comprise a family of peptides that play important roles in mammalian growth and development. IGF1 mediates many of the growth-promoting effects of growth hormone (GH; MIM 139250). Early studies showed that growth hormone did not directly stimulate the incorporation of sulfate into cartilage, but rather acted through a serum factor, termed 'sulfation factor,' which later became known as 'somatomedin' (Daughaday et al., 1972). Three main somatomedins have been characterized: somatomedin C (IGF1), somatomedin A (IGF2; MIM 147470), and somatomedin B (MIM 193190) (Rotwein, 1986; Rosenfeld, 2003).

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.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor also called LIF is a lymphoid factor that promotes long-term maintenance of embryonic stem cells by suppressing spontaneous differentiation. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor has several functions such as cholinergic neuron differentiation, control of stem cell pluripotency, bone & fat metabolism, mitogenesis of factor dependent cell lines & promotion of megakaryocyte production in vivo. Human and mouse LIF exhibit a 78% identity in its amino acid sequence.

TIE-1 (tyrosine kinase with Ig and EGF homology domains 1) and TIE-2/Tek comprise a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) subfamily with unique structural characteristics: two immunoglobulin-like domains flanking three epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains and followed by three fibronectin type III-like repeats in the extracellular region and a split tyrosine kinase domain in the cytoplasmic region. These receptors are expressed primarily on endothelial and hematopoietic progenitor cells and play critical roles in angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and hematopoiesis. Human TIE-1 cDNA encodes a 1122 amino acid (aa) residue precursor protein with an 18 residue putative signal peptide, a 726 residue extracellular domain and a 353 residue cytoplasmic domain. Two ligands, angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), which bind TIE-2 with high-affinity have been identified. Ang2 has been reported to act as an antagonist for Ang1. Mice engineered to overexpress Ang2 or to lack Ang1 or Tie-1 display similar angiogenic defects.

Procalcitonin is a peptide hormone mainly produced by the C cells of the thyroid and certain endocrine cells of the lung. Under normal expression conditions, procalcitonin is immediately cleaved into three specific fragments, an N terminal residue, calcitonin and katacalcin. Levels of unprocessed procalcitonin rise significantly after bacterial infection, trauma or shock.

Sclerostin Domain Containing 1 (SOSTDC1) belongs to the sclerostin family and an N-glycosylated, secreted protein with a C-terminal cystine knot-like domain. The SOSTDC1 protein acts as a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist. Specifically, SOSTDC1 directly associates with BMPs, prohibiting them from binding their receptors, thus regulating BMP signaling throughout cellular proliferation, differentiation, and programmed cell death. SOSTDC1 may also be involved in the onset of endometrial receptivity for implantation/sensitization for the decidual cell reaction Enhances Wnt signaling and hinders TGF-beta signaling. In addition, SOSTDC1 directly antagonizes the activity of BMP2, BMP4, BMP6 and BMP7 in a dose-dependent manner.

CIB1 (Calcium and integrin binding 1) is regulatory protein with 50% homology to calmodulin and calcineurin B, that encodes a member of the calcium-binding protein family. CIB1 interacts with DNA-dependent protein kinase and may play a role in kinase-phosphatase regulation of DNA end joining. Also CIB1 is widely expressed and binds to a number of effectors, such as integrin ?IIb, PAK1, and polo-like kinases, in different tissues.

Vps20-associated 1 homolog (VTA1) is a member of the VTA1 family. The VTA1 protein is involved in the endosomal multivesicular bodies (MVB) pathway. Furthermore, VTA1 is interacts with CHMP1B, CHMP2A, CHMP5, VPS4B, KIAA0174 (IST1) and possibly CHMP3. VTA1 is believed to be a cofactor of VPS4A/B, which catalyzes membrane-associated ESCRT-III assemblies. In addition, VTA1 is involved in the sorting and down-regulation of EGFR and also in HIV-1 budding.

IL10 is a cytokine produced primarily by monocytes and to a lesser extent by lymphocytes. This cytokine has pleiotropic effects in immunoregulation and inflammation. It down-regulates the expression of Th1 cytokines, MHC class II Ags, and costimulatory molecules on macrophages. It also enhances B cell survival, proliferation, and antibody production. This cytokine can block NF-kappa B activity, and is involved in the regulation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Knockout studies in mice suggested the function of this cytokine as an essential immunoregulator in the intestinal tract.

C1q is the first component of the classical pathway of complement activation. C1q along with the enzymatically active components C1r and C1s forms the C1 complex. When C1 binds to immunoglobulins in the form of immune complexes, it leads to activation of C1r and C1s proteases and a further activates the classical pathway of complement. C1q is a glycoprotein that belongs to the collectin family, having a molecular weight of about 410-462 kDa. C1q is a hexamer composed of globular heads attached to collagen-like triple-helix tails. The globular heads of C1q exclusively bind to the CH2 domain of IgG molecules or the CH3 domain of IgM. Each heavy chain of the immunoglobulin molecule contains a single binding site for C1q. Given that C1q must bind to no less than two heavy chains in order to alter its conformation and activate C1r and C1s, its activation follows only after binding to immunoglobulins in the form of immune complexes bound to multivalent antigens. C1q’s main physiological role is in the clearance of immune complexes and apoptotic bodies from the organism. Interruption of this process may lead to development of autoimmunity. Individuals with genetic deficiencies of C1q or other components of the classical pathway are at risk to develop SLE. C1q specifically binds to apoptotic bodies of human keratinocytes, vascular endothelial cells and lymphocytes. Complement components C1q and bound C3 mediate the clearance of apoptotic bodies. Hence, C1q may advance the clearance of autoantigens, avoiding stimulation of the immune system. Nonetheless, an extended exposition of the immune system to the neoepitope exposed on C1q molecules bound to immune complexes or apoptotic bodies could ultimately lead to an autoimmune response against C1q itself and to an altered complement function. C1q deficiency may also lead to disruption of the negative selection of autoreactive B cells. C1q along with other specific recognition proteins bind to the highly conserved lupus antigens (dsDNA and nuclear proteins) and activate the complement system. Autoantibodies against C1q (anti-C1q) are found in a number of autoimmune and infectious diseases like glomerulonephritis (GN) and lupus erythematosus (SLE), these antibodies are significant in clinical practice due to their negative predictive value.

Complement Factor B, also known as CFB, encodes complement factor B which is a component of the alternative pathway of complement activation. Factor B circulates in the blood as a single chain polypeptide. Once the alternative pathway is activated it is cleaved by complement factor D yielding the noncatalytic chain Ba and the catalytic subunit Bb. The active subunit Bb is a serine protease which connects with C3b to form the alternative pathway C3 convertase. Also, Bb is involved in the proliferation of preactivated B lymphocytes, while Ba inhibits their proliferation.

CD23 is a 45kDa glycoprotein, which is present on a subpopulation of freshly isolated peripheral blood and tonsil B cells and strongly expressed on EBV-transformed B lymphoblasts. The CD23 molecule is identical to the low affinity IgE receptor found on B cells. Expression of CD23 has been detected in neoplastic cells from cases of B cell chronic lymphocyctic leukaemia and some cases of centroblastic/centrocytic lymphoma.

CDK16 is a member of the CDK family of serine/threonine protein kinases which are known to regulate the cell cycle. These proteins have a core kinase domain flanked by unique amino- and carboxy- terminal domains. CDK16, which is expressed mainly in mammalian brain, cooperates with an assortment of proteins, and is a part of a multiple signal transduction cascade.

Excess adiposity is the most important risk in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Adipose tissue produces several proteins (adipocytokines) such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6, that modulate insulin sensitivity and appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms by which fat tissue induces insulin resistance and the role of adipocytokines in the pathogenesis of T2DM have not been well established. Visfatin, also known as pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF), is a cytokine that is highly expressed in visceral fat and was originally isolated as a secreted factor that synergizes with IL-7 and stem cell factors to promote the growth of B cell precursors. Visfatin homologs have been identified in carp, invertebrate mollusks, and bacteria, as well as in vertebrates, including humans and the mouse. It h

Interleukin-9 is a protein that acts as one of the regulators of hematopoiesis. IL-9 is an enhancer of cells and megakaryoblastic leukemic cells’ growth. Among this protein’s producers we can find cells like mast cells, Treg, NKT cells, Th17, Th2, ILC2, and Th9 cells in various amounts. Th9 are the primary CD4 cells (T cells) that IL-9 is produced in.

Complement Factor D (Adipsin), which belongs to the trypsin family of peptidases, is involved in the alternative complement pathway of the complement system where it cleaves factor B. In the alternative complement pathway, Adipsin is best known for its role in humoral suppression of infectious agents. In addition, Adipsin is a serine protease which is secreted by adipocytes into the bloodstream. Ultimately, Adipsin has a high level of expression in fat, proposing a role for adipose tissue in immune system biology.

SHC1 is a member of the SH2 domain family. SHC1 is vital to the regulation of apoptosis and drug resistance in mammalian cells. SHC1 is a signaling adapter which links activated growth factor receptors to signaling pathway. SHC1 is found in neural stem cells but not in mature neurons.

Ubiquitin-like-conjugating enzyme ATG10 (ATG10) is a 220 amino acid protein which localizes to the cytoplasm and has a role in autophagy, specifically acting as an E2-like enzyme providing Atg recognition sites during autophagosome synthesis. ATG10 functions as an E2-like enzyme which catalyzes the conjugation of ATG12 to ATG5, which is required for autophagy. In addition, ATG10 interacts with ATG12 in human embryonic kidney cells in the presence of ATG7. ATG10 probably serves as an ATG5-recognition molecule. Furthermore, ATG10 has a role in adenovirus-mediated cell lysis.

IHH belongs to the hedgehog family of secreted signaling molecules. Hedgehog proteins are vital regulators of various developmental processes including growth, patterning and morphogenesis. The vertebrate homologues of Hh comprise several proteins including sonic hedgehog (Shh), Indian hedgehog (Ihh), and Desert hedgehog (Dhh). IHH has a specific role in bone growth and differentiation. In addition, IHH is involved in yolk sac vasculogenesis, having a central role in differentiation of epiblast cells into endothelial and red blood cells. IHH mRNA expression is detected in fetal lung, gut, stomach, liver, kidney, pancreas and strongly in cartilage in growth regions of the developing bone. IHH gene mutations cause the brachydactyly type A1 which is characterized by shortening or malformation of the phalanges and also the acrocapitofemoral dysplasia.

SH3 and Cysteine Rich Domain, which is also known as STAC, holds one phorbol-ester/DAG-type zinc finger and one SH3 domain. STAC takes part in a neuron-specific signal transduction.

Interleukin-1 ra is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. This protein inhibits the activities of interleukin 1, alpha (IL1A) and interleukin 1, beta (IL1B), and modulates a variety of interleukin 1 related immune and inflammatory responses. This gene and five other closely related cytokine genes form a gene cluster spanning approximately 400 kb on chromosome 2. A polymorphism of this gene is reported to be associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and gastric cancer. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

Interleukin-1 ra is a member of the interleukin 1 cytokine family. This protein inhibits the activities of interleukin 1, alpha (IL1A) and interleukin 1, beta (IL1B), and modulates a variety of interleukin 1 related immune and inflammatory responses. This gene and five other closely related cytokine genes form a gene cluster spanning approximately 400 kb on chromosome 2. A polymorphism of this gene is reported to be associated with increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and gastric cancer. Four alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

TRAPPC3 is a part of the TRAPP complex that takes part in connection of transport vesicles to the cis-Golgi membrane. Additionally, TRAPPC3 is involved in vesicular transport from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi.