Search results

GUK1 is part of the guanylate kinase family. GUK1 occurs as a monomer that catalyzes the ATP-dependent conversion of GMP to GDP, thus takes an important part in the recycling of GMP. Through its catalytic activity, GUK1 functions in regulation of the supply of guanine nucleotides to signal transduction pathways. GUK1 overexpression is related with pituitary adenocarcinomas, implicating that GUK1 is has a role in tumorigenesis.

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.

Smac/Diablo is a proapoptotic protein that increases caspase activation in the cytochrome c/Apaf-1/caspase-9 pathway by its binding to the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) and removing their inhibitory activity. Smac/Diablo is a mitochondrial protein which enters the cytosol when cells go through apoptosis, and it moderates the caspase inhibition of IAPs.
Smac/DIABLO expression is associated with the result of renal cell carcinoma.
Dimeric form of Smac/DIABLO implies that once expressed in the cell the protein has a little probability of dissociation and, thus, loss of function.
Survivin, Smac/DIABLO, & PKC-? play an important part in the inhibition of apoptosis by FGF-2 in human small cell lung cancer cells. Mitochondrial survivin associates with Smac/DIABLO, delaying its release. Decreased expression of Smac protein takes part in ovarian carcinogenesis and chemotherapeutic resistance. Smac/DIABLO plays a role in tumor cells during the pathway of apoptosis induction. SMAC protein is regulated by XIAP and degraded by proteasome. SMAC protein takes part inleukemic cell apoptosis.
Smac is released during stress-induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells.

CD34 is a single chain transmembrane glycoprotein which is selectively expressed on human lymphoid and myeloid hemapoietic progenitor cells.
CD34 has been used to measure angiogenesis, which reportedly predicts tumor recurrence.

Thymidine phosphorylase precursor (TYMP) is a platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor that catalyzes the formation of thymine and 2-deoxy-D-ribose-1-phosphate from thymidine and orthophosphate. TYMP is an angiogenic inducer that potently stimulates the growth of endothelial cells and induces chemotaxis. TYMP has a highly restricted target cell specificity acting only on endothelial cells. An increased expression of TYMP is found in a broad array of different solid tumors and inflammatory diseases and is frequently associated with poor prognosis. Mutations in the TYMP gene are linked to mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy.

HSP90B1 is an abundant molecular chaperone resident endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumenal stress protein which is part of the Hsp90 family. HSP90B1 is involved in maintaining protein homeostasis in the secretory pathway as well as functioning in the intracellular trafficking of peptides from the extracellular space to the MHC class I antigen processing pathway of antigen presentation cells. HSP90B1 has key roles in signal transduction, protein folding, protein degradation, and morphologic evolution. HSP90B1 protein associates with numerous cochaperones and involved in folding of newly synthesized proteins or stabilizing and refolding denatured proteins after stress. HSP90B1 is highly expressed in human gastric carcinoma BGC-823 cells during the whole cell cycle.

MHC Class II is consists of 2 membrane spanning proteins. Each of these proteins is roughly 30 kDa, and has of two Globular domains, Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta-1 and Beta-2. The two regions farthest away from the membrane are alpha-1 and beta-1. The two proteins link without Covalent Bonds. The MHC Class II protein mainly presents peptides, which have been digested from external sources. MHC Class II is normally only expressed by Antigen Presenting Cells (APC) which digest foreign protein. Within the RER the alpha and beta proteins of the molecule, associate with each other, while a third protein called the "invariant chain," is necessary for stabilizing the complex, without it, they will not associate. The MHC-invariant complex is then passed from the RER, into and out of, the Golgi body. It fuses with an Endocytic compartment, where an external protein has been sampled and degraded.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as EBI1 ligand chemokine (ELC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-3-beta (MIP-3-beta). CCL19 is expressed abundantly in thymus and lymph nodes, with moderate levels in trachea and colonand low levels in stomach, small intestine, lung, kidney and spleen. The gene for CCL19 is located on human chromosome 9. This chemokine elicits its effects on its target cells by binding to the chemokine receptor chemokine receptor CCR7. It attracts certain cells of the immune system, including dendritic cellsand antigen-engaged B cells.

IFN-alpha is produced by macrophages, IFN-alpha has antiviral activities and stimulates the production of two enzymes: a protein kinase and an oligoadenylate synthetase.

GCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes. The active protein is found extracellularly. Three transcript variants encoding three different isoforms have been found for this gene.
Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. This csf induces granulocytes.

Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases having various physiological functions. Many kallikreins are implicated in carcinogenesis and some have potential of becoming novel cancer and other disease biomarkers. Kallikrein-13 (KLK13) is one of the fifteen kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19. KLK13 gene expression is regulated by steroid hormones and may be useful as a marker for breast cancer.

LYVE-1 has been identified as a major receptor for HA (extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan) on the lymph vessel wall. The deduced amino acid sequence of LYVE-1 predicts a 322-residue type I integral membrane polypeptide 41% similar to the CD44 HA receptor with a 212-residue extracellular domain containing a single Link module the prototypic HA binding domain of the Link protein superfamily. Like CD44, the LYVE-1 molecule binds both soluble and immobilized HA. However, unlike CD44, the LYVE-1 molecule colocalizes with HA on the luminal face of the lymph vessel wall and is completely absent from blood vessels. Hence, LYVE-1 is the first lymph-specific HA receptor to be characterized and is a uniquely powerful marker for lymph vessels themselves.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) is also known as "extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2" (ERK2). Two similar (85% sequence identity) protein kinases were originally called ERK1 and ERK2. They were found during a search for protein kinases that are rapidly phosphorylated after activation of cell surface tyrosine kinasessuch as the epidermal growth factor receptor. Phosphorylation of ERKs leads to the activation of their kinase activity.
The molecular events linking cell surface receptors to activation of ERKs are complex. It was found that RasGTP-binding proteins are involved in the activation of ERKs. Another protein kinase, Raf-1, was shown to phosphorylate a "MAPK kinase", thus qualifying as a "MAPK kinase kinase". The MAPK kinase was named "MAPK/ERK kinase" (MEK).
Receptor-linked tyrosine kinases, Ras, Raf, MEK and MAPK could be fitted into a signaling cascade linking an extracellular signal to MAPK activation.
Transgenic gene knockoutmice lacking MAPK1 have major defects in early development.

Caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, each serotype is sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. In cell culture experiments and mice Morpholino antisense oligos have shown specific activity against Dengue virus.

Entry of HSV into the host cell involves interactions of several viral glycoproteins with cell surface receptors. The virus particle is covered by an envelope which, when bound to specific receptors on the cell surface, will fuse with the cell membrane and create an opening, or pore, through which the virus enters the host cell. The sequential stages of HSV entry are analagous to those of other viruses. At first, complementary receptors on the virus and cell surface bring the two membranes into proximity. In an intermediate state, the two membranes begin to merge, forming a hemifusion state. Finally, a stable entry pore is formed through which the viral envelope contents are introduced to the host cell.

EPCAM is a carcinoma-associated antigen and belongs to a family which includes at least 2 type I membrane proteins. The EPCAM protein has a role in embryonic stem cells proliferation and differentiation. EPCAM is used as a target for immunotherapy treatment of human carcinomas. EPCAM is expressed on most normal epithelial cells and gastrointestinal carcinomas and acts as a homotypic calcium-independent cell adhesion molecule. Epithelial cell adhesion molecules (EPCAM) can act as a physical homophilic interaction molecule between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) at the mucosal epithelium for supplying immunological barrier as a first line of defense against mucosal infection. EPCAM gene mutations result in congenital tufting enteropathy.

Hydroxylysine Kinase, also known as HYKK, is a Protein Coding gene. HYKK which is a part of the aminoglycoside phosphotransferase family catalyzes the GTPdependent phosphorylation of 5-hydroxy-L-lysine.

Renin is a highly specific endopeptidase which generates angiotensin I from angiotensinogen in the plasma. angiotensin I is an important regulator of blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Renin initiates a cascade of reactions that produce an elevation of blood pressure and increased sodium retention by the kidney.

Cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1) is a 201 amino acid member of the interleukin-6 superfamily. It was identified by its ability to induce hypertrophic response in cardiac myocytes. CT-1 mRNA levels were found both in cardiac myocytes and in cardiac nonmyocytes. CT 1 was also detected in abundance in normal adult human lung and was expressed in both fetal and adult airway smooth muscle cells. CT 1 activates gp130 dependent signaling and stimulates the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway to transduce hypertrophic and cytoprotective signals in cardiac myocytes.
CT 1 has also a neurotrophic function. CTF1 deficiency causes increased motoneuron cell death in spinal cord and brainstem nuclei of mice during a period between embryonic day 14 and the first postnatal week. Moreover, CT-1 is a hepatocyte survival factor that efficiently reduces hepatocellular damage in animal models of acute liver injury. Cardiotrophin 1 expression is augmented after hypoxic stimulation and it can protect cardiac cells when added either prior to simulated ischaemia or at the time of reoxygenation following simulated ischaemia. Cardiotrophin 1 can induce expression of the protective heat shock proteins (hsps) in cardiac cells.
Cardiotrophin-1 increased ventricular expression of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and angiotensinogen mRNA.
Cardiophin 1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with heart failure, patients with dilatative cardiomyopathy, moderate/severe mitral regurgitation, stable and unstable angina and after acute myocardial infarction.

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C4 or AKR1C4 is a part of the aldo/keto reductase superfamily that has more then 40 known proteins & enzymes. AKR1C4 catalyzes the conversion of aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols with NADH and/or NADPH as cofactors. AKR1C4 takes place in the bioreduction of chlordecone, a toxic organochlorine pesticide, to chlordecone alcohol in the liver tissue.

AKR7A3, takes part in the detoxification of aldehydes and ketones. AKR7A3 reduces the dialdehyde protein-binding form of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) to the non-binding AFB1 dialcohol. AKR7A3 participates in protection of liver against the toxic and carcinogenic effects of AFB1, a potent hepatocarcinogen.

Bcl-2–associated X protein (Bax) belongs to the Bcl-2 protein family.
Bax is a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein containing BH1, BH2 and BH3 domains.
Bax accelerates programmed cell death by binding to, and antagonizing the apoptosis repressor bcl2 or its adenovirus homolog e1b 19k protein. Bax induces the release of cytochrome c, activation of casp3, and thereby apoptosis. Bax is expressed in a wide variety of tissues, with highest levels in the testis and ovary.
Tumor suppressor protein p53 upregulates the expression of BAX. Bax has been shown to be involved in p53-mediated apoptosis.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor Alpha or LIFR is a protein, part of the Interleukin-6 receptor group of proteins. As such, LIFR acts as a mediator for various proteins (IL-6, IL-11, IL-27, Oncostatin M etc). LIFR has many functions as a cytokine, he has an affect on the cell proliferation, differentiation and survival in the different stages of life. In different types of breast cancer LIFR is down regulated, and as such, can be used as a prognostic tool.

ST6GAL1 also known as ST6 Beta-Galactosamide Alpha-2,6-Sialyltranferase 1, is part of the glycosyltransferase family 29. ST6GAL1 is a type II membrane protein which catalyzes the transfer of sialic acid from CMP-sialic acid to galactose-containing substrates. Furthermore, ST6GAL1 is normally found in the Golgi however it can be proteolytically processed to a soluble form, ST6GAL1 is also involved in the generation of the cell-surface carbohydrate determinants as well differentiation antigens HB-6, CD75, and CD76.