Search results

TSC22 domain family protein 3 (TSC22D3) protects T-cells from IL2 deprivation-induced apoptosis through the inhibition of FOXO3A transcriptional activity which initiates the down-regulation of the pro-apoptotic factor BCL2L11. In macrophages, TSC22D3 has a role in the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids and IL10. In T-cells, TSC22D3 hinders anti-CD3-induced NFKB1 nuclear translocation. In vitro, TSC22D3 curbs AP1 and NFKB1 DNA-binding activities.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 8 (CEACAM8) is a cell surface glycoprotein which takes part in cell adhesion in a calciumindependent manner.CEACAM8mediates heterophilic cell adhesion with other carcinoembryonic antigen-related celladhesion molecules (CEACAM6 for example).CEACAM8main role is cell migration,cell adhesion, and pathogen binding.CEACAM-8 isexpressed mainly on the surface of human peripheral blood eosinophils isolated from healthy individuals andused as granulocyte marker.

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family of iron binding proteins. It is found in human breast milk as well as most epithelial surface secretions including tears, nasogastric, saliva, and bronchial. Lactoferrin binds 2 molecules of iron with very high affinity. Lactoferrin inhibits bacterial growth by withholding iron, its N-terminal region is an antimicrobial peptide. Lactotransferrin acts synergistically with lysozyme to potentiate the activity of both proteins. The multifunctional protein lactoferrin has many physiological possible roles. It is often referred to as an innate defense protein and frequently serves as the first line of defense in protection against pathogens. It has been shown to have the ability to bind iron, it is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral, it is an antioxidant and it also has immunomodulatory properties. It has many beneficial properties, which make it a good candidate for a number of product applications. Considerable research is currently going on to explain the various suggested biological functions of lactoferrin.

TGFBR2 is part of the Ser/Thr protein kinase family and the TGFB receptor subfamily. TGFBR2 is a transmembrane protein that has a protein kinase domain, forms a heterodimeric complex with another receptor protein, and binds TGF-beta. This receptor/ligand complex phosphorylates proteins, which then enter the nucleus and regulate the transcription of a subset of genes related to cell proliferation. Mutations in TGFBR2 gene have been associated with Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Deitz Aortic Aneurysm Syndrome, and the development of various types of tumors. TGFBR2 expression is increased in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. TGFBR2 attenuates the biological activities of TGF-beta in colorectal cancer. TGFBR2 expression is decreased by IL-1beta while inducing Sp3 via NFkappaB.

Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor, Clade D Member 1 (SERPIND1) is a serine proteinase inhibitor which rapidly inhibits thrombin in the presence of dermatan sulfate. SERPIND1 gene is a member of the serpin gene superfamily. SERPIND1 protein contains 5 exons and 4 introns. SERPIND1 shares homology with antithrombin III and other members of the alpha 1-antitrypsin superfamily. SERPIND1 gene mutations are linked with cofactor II deficiency. SERPIND1 protein is activated by dermatan sulfate, and glycosaminoglycans. Allelic variations in the SERPIND1 gene are linked with cofactor II deficiency.

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).

Thrombopoietin is a glycoprotein hormone produced mainly by the liver and the kidney which regulates the production of platelets by the bone marrow. TPO stimulates the production as well as differentiation of megakaryocytes, the bone marrow cells which fragment into large numbers of platelets.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least eighteen structurally related proteins that are involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family of type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. Four distinct genes encoding closely related FGF receptors, FGF R1 - 4, are known. All four genes for FGF Rs encode proteins with an N-terminal signal peptide, three immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, an acid-box region containing a run of acidic residues between the IgI and IgII domains, a transmembrane domain and the split tyrosine-kinase domain. Multiple forms of FGF R1 - 3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGF R1 and 2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the a isoform, or only IgII and IgIII, referred to as the b isoform. Only the a isoform has been identified for FGF R3 and FGF R4. Additional splicing events for FGF R1 - 3, involving the C-terminal half of the IgIII domain encoded by two mutually exclusive alternative exons, generate FGF receptors with alternative IgIII domains (IIIb and IIIc). A IIIa isoform which is a secreted FGF binding protein containing only the N-terminal half of the IgIII domain plus some intron sequences has also been reported for FGF R1. Mutations in FGF R1 - 3 have been found in patients with birth defects involving craniosynostosis. The complex patterns of expression of these receptors as well as the specificity of their interactions with the various FGF ligand family members are under investigation.

Growth Differentiation Factor-7 (GDF-7) belongs to the BMP family of TGF-b superfamily proteins. GDF7 elicits its bioactivity via a heterodimeric receptor complex comprised of a type 1 (BMPR-IB) and a type II (BMPR-II or Activin RII) serine/threonine kinase receptor. GDF7 signaling results in the phosphorylation and activation of Smad proteins. GDF-7 is also involved in tendon and ligament formation and repair. In addition, GDF7 regulates bone formation, mesenchymal stem cell differentiation, neuronal differentiation, and axon guidance.

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a family of secreted signaling molecules that can induce ectopic bone growth. Many BMPs are part of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. BMPs were originally identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site. Based on its expression early in embryogenesis, the BMP encoded by this gene has a proposed role in early development. In addition, the fact that this BMP is closely related to BMP5 and BMP7 has lead to speculation of possible bone inductive activity.

PLGF is a growth factor active in angiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth, stimulating their proliferation and migration. It binds to receptor vegfr-1/flt1.
PLGF-2 binds neuropilin-1 and 2 in a heparin-dependent manner.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 3 (CXCL3) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also known as GRO3 oncogene (GRO3), GRO protein gamma (GROg) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2-beta (MIP2b). CXCL3 controls migration and adhesion of monocytes and mediates it effects on its target cell by interacting with a cell surface chemokine receptor called CXCR2. The gene for CXCL3 is located on chromosome 4 in a cluster of other CXC chemokines.

PDGFRa is a cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor for PDGF family members. PDGFRa binds to both A and B subunits of PDGF. It is known that PDGFRa is vital for kidney development since mice heterozygous for the receptor display defective kidney phenotypes.

ACTN1 encodes a nonmuscle, cytoskeletal, alpha actinin isoform and maps to the same site as the structurally similar erythroid beta spectrin gene. Alpha actinins belong to the spectrin gene superfamily which represents a diverse group of cytoskeletal proteins, including the alpha and beta spectrins and dystrophins. Alpha actinin is an actin-binding protein with multiple roles in different cell types. In nonmuscle cells, the cytoskeletal isoform is found along microfilament bundles and adherens-type junctions, where it is involved in binding actin to the membrane. In contrast, skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle isoforms are localized to the Z-disc and analogous dense bodies, where they help anchor the myofibrillar actin filaments.

ADP-ribosylation factor 5 (ARF5) is a small guanine nucleotide-binding protein which enhances the enzymatic activities of cholera toxin. ARF-dependent regulatory mechanisms include the coordination of spectrin interactions with golgi membranes and the connection of actin to the golgi via rho family-dependent G-protein localization and WASP/Arp2/3 complexes. ARF5 is involved in vesicular transport and functioning via phospholipase D activation.

GAS7 is mainly expressed in terminally differentiated brain cells and predominantly in mature cerebellar Purkinje neurons. GAS7 is involved in neuronal development by promoting maturation and morphological differentiation of cerebellar neurons. Inhibition of GAS7 production in terminally differentiating cultures of embryonic murine cerebellum impedes neurite outgrowth. Over-expression of GAS7 initiats the development of human osteosarcoma.

CDC34 is important in the control of cell cycle and DNA replication. Cdc34 in association with different E3 complexes, including SCF, has been shown to target many different substrates for ubiquitination and degradation during cell division, signal transduction, and development. Cdc34 substrates that have been characterized include I?B, B-Myb, Wee1, MyoD, ICERII?, ATF5, p27Xic1, and p27Kip1. Additionally, substrates such as ?-catenin, p21Cip1, E2F, cyclin E, and cyclin D are putative substrates of Cdc34 by virtue of their SCF requirement for proteolysis. Cdc34 has been demonstrated to self-associate through a domain in the C-terminus, and is phosphorylated and ubiquitinylated in vivo. This protein is useful for in vitro ubiquitinylation reactions.

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.

MMP-3 enzyme is also known as Stromelysin-1or as Transin-1 which hydrolyzes natural collagen at physiological pH and temperature. It dissolves the intervertebral nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus of Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disk . MMP-3 hydrolyzes components of the extracellular matrix like proteoglycan, laminin, fibronectin, gelatin and collagen types III, IV and IX. It also activates pro-MMP-9 and pro-MMP-8 and superactivates plasmin activated MMP-1. MMP-3 is secreted as a latent proenzyme and is activated by a variety of proteinases, e.g. plasmin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, cathepsin G or human neutrophil elastase. MMP-3 was found to be capable of activating the precursor of IL1-beta.

Metalloproteinase inhibitor 4 (TIMP4) is a member of a family of secreted proteins which regulate the activation and proteolytic activity of the zinc enzymes known as matrix metalloproteinases. The four known members of this family are TIMP1, 2, 3 and 4. TIMP4 is produced by various tissues, particularly the brain, heart, ovary and skeletal muscle. Limited studies have shown that the TIMP4 protein has a tumor suppressive effect against Wilm92s tumor, exhibiting a negative correlation with glioma malignancy and is found in breast carcinoma cells.

VZV is closely related to the herpes simplex viruses(HSV), sharing much genomehomology. The known envelope glycoproteins (gB, gC, gE, gH, gI, gK, gL) correspond with those in HSV, however there is no equivalent of HSV gD. VZV virons are spherical and 150-200 nm in diameter. Their lipidenvelope encloses the nucleocapsid of 162 capsomeres arranged in a hexagonalform. Its DNAis a single, linear, double-stranded molecule, 125,000 nt long. The virus is very susceptible to disinfectants, notably sodium hypochlorite. Within the body it can be treated by a number of drugs and therapeutic agents including aciclovir, zoster-immune globulin(ZIG), and vidarabine.

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).

Treponema pallidum is a gram-negative spirochaete bacterium and is considered to be metabolically crippled. There are at least four known subspecies: T. pallidum pallidum, T. pallidum pertenue, T. pallidum carateum and T. pallidum endemicum. The helical structure of T. pallidum pallidum allows it to move in a corkscrew motion through viscous mediums such as mucus. Treponema pallidum sub sp. pallidum has one of the smallest bacterial genomes at 1.14 million base pairs (Mb) and has limited metabolic capabilities, reflecting its adaptation through genome reduction to the rich environment of mammalian tissue.

DDIT3 reduces DNA-binding activity of C/EBP and lap by forming heterodimers which don’t bind DNA. DDIT3, also known as GADD153, is a basic domain-leucine zipper(bZIP) transcription factor of C/EBP family. DDIT3 protein is up-regulated by several stresses, such as amino acid or glucose starvation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, osmotic stress and hypoxia. DDIT3 protein is invloved in ER stress-mediated apoptosis and in disease including diabetes, brain ischemia and neurodegenerative disease. DDIT3 plays a role in asoprisnil-induced apoptosis. Hypoglycaemia-induced necrotic cell death of neuroblastoma cells is an active process mediated via the induction of the transcription factor DDIT3. DDIT3 plays an important role in melanoma progression. HRG stimulation of mammary epithelial cells induces the expression of DDIT3 mRNA and protein and transcription of DDIT3 promoter.