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Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL7) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. It is a protein that is released in large amounts from platelets following their activation. It stimulates various processes including mitogenesis, synthesis of extracellular matrix, glucose metabolism and synthesis of plasminogen activator.

Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) also known as matrilysin and PUMP (EC 3.4.24.23) cleaves a number of substrates including collagen types IV and X, elastin, fibronectin, gelatin, laminin and proteoglycans. MMP-7 is closely related to the stromelysin family members but is encoded by a different gene. MMP-7 is the smallest of all the MMPs consisting of a pro-peptide domain and a catalytic domain. It lacks the hemopexin-like domain common to other members of the MMPs. MMP-7 is secreted as a 28 kDa proenzyme and can be activated in vitro by organomercurials and trypsin and in vivo by MMP-3 to a 18 kDa active MMP-7 enzyme. Once activated, MMP-7 can activate pro-MMP-1 and pro-MMP-9 but not pro-MMP-2. MMP-7 is widely expressed having been reported in elevated levels in cycling endometrium as well as in colorectal cancers and adenomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, rectal carcinomas, and approximately 50% of gliomas.

TAF9 is a universal transcription factor which enables the preinitiation complex assembly by direct interactions with the TATA promoter element. TAF9 is a multisubunit complex consisting of a small TATA-binding polypeptide and other TBP-associated factors (TAFs) and performs as a channel for regulatory signals.

S100A9 is part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100A9 protein is localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a wide range of cells, and participates in the regulation of several cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100 genes include no less than 13 proteins which are localized as a cluster on chromosome 1q21. S100A9 is involved in the inhibition of casein kinase and altered expression of this protein is associated with the disease cystic fibrosis.

Interleukin-1b is produced by activated macrophages, IL-1 Beta stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing il-2 release, b-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. IL1B proteins are involved in the inflammatory response, being identified as endogenous pyrogens, and are reported to stimulate the release of prostaglandin from synovial cells.

HSF2BP, also known as HSF2 binding protein links with HSF2. This interaction takes place between the trimerization domain of HSF2 and the amino terminal hydrophilic region of HSF2BP which contains two leucine zipper motifs. Therefore, HSF2BP is involved in modulating HSF2 activation.

CD40 belongs to the TNF-receptor super family. CD40 has been found to be vital in mediating a wide range of immune and inflammatory responses including T cell-dependent immunoglobulin class switching, memory B cell development, and germinal center formation. AT-hook transcription factor AKNA is accounted to coordinately regulate the expression of CD40 and its ligand, which is significant for homotypic cell interactions. Adaptor protein TNFR2 interacts with CD40 and functions as a mediator of the signal transduction. The interaction of CD40 and its ligand is found to be essential for amyloid-beta-induced microglial activation, and therefore is considered to be an early event in Alzheimer disease pathogenesis.

Binds to tnfrsf13b/taci and tnfrsf17/bcma. tnfsf13/april binds to the same 2 receptors, together, they form a 2 ligands -2 receptors pathway involved in the stimulation of b- and t-cell function and the regulation of humoral immunity. A third b-cell specific baff-receptor (baffr/br3) promotes the survival of mature b-cells and the b-cell response. B Lymphocyte Stimulator functions as a potent B-cell growth factor in costimulation assays. Administration of BAFF Human recombinant to mice disrupts splenic B-cell and T-cell zones and results in elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin.

Alpha-hemoglobin stabilizing protein (AHSP) is an erythroid-specific protein that acts as a chaperone to prevent the aggregation of A-hemoglobin during normal erythroid cell development. AHSP specifically protects free A-hemoglobin from precipitation in live cells and in solution. AHSP is expected to modulate pathological states of alpha-hemoglobin excess such as beta-thalassemia. Furthermore, AHSP promotes alpha globin chain stability in human erythropoiesis. In addition, the AHSP stabilizes the alpha-Hb chain, thus avoiding its precipitation and its ability to generate ROS, which is implicated in cell death. AHSP is expressed in blood and bone marrow. AHSP subunit is a monomer, it forms a heterodimer with free alpha-hemoglobin. On the other hand, AHSP does not bind beta-hemoglobin nor alpha2beta2 hemoglobin A. AHSP is downregulated in TSEs (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies).

Succinate Dehydrogenase Complex Assembly Factor 2 (SDHAF2) is a mitochondrial protein required for the flavination of a succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit essential for activity of the complex. DHAF2 is necessary for insertion of FAD cofactor into SDHA, the catalytic subunit of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). SDH is involved in complex II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and is responsible for transferring electrons from succinate to ubiquinone (coenzyme Q). SDHAF2 gene defects are the cause of hereditary paragangliomas type 2 (PGL2), otherwise known as familial non-chromaffin paragangliomas type 2.

TRIAP1 has a p53-binding site in its second exon. TRIAP1 expression is reduced by small interfering RNA enhanced apoptosis, while overexpression of TRIAP1 protects cells from apoptosis triggered by DNA damage. TRIAP1 is highly induced when cells have low levels of genotoxic stresses, but not when DNA damage is severe. TRIAP1 is able to control apoptotic pathways by interacting with Hsp70 which inhibits activity of apoptosis protease activating factor-1.

EDA2R (ectodysplasin A2 receptor) mediates the activation of the NF-kappa-B and JNK pathways. Activation seems to be mediated through binding to TRAF3 and TRAF6. In addition, Mutations in EDA give rise to a clinical syndrome characterized by loss of hair, sweat glands, and teeth. EDA2R specifically binds to EDA-A2 isoform. This protein is a type III transmembrane protein of the TNFR (tumor necrosis factor receptor) superfamily, and contains 3 cysteine-rich repeats and a single transmembrane domain however it lacks an N-terminal signal peptide. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene. Among the diseases associated with EDA2R are ectodermal dysplasia 1, hypohidrotic, x-linked, and hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

This gene is a member of the EPO/TPO family and encodes a secreted, glycosylated cytokine composed of four alpha helical bundles. The protein is found in the plasma and regulates red cell production by promoting erythroid differentiation and initiating hemoglobin synthesis. This protein also has neuroprotective activity against a variety of potential brain injuries and antiapoptotic functions in several tissue types.

A 16kDa 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.

IL-7 is a cytokine important for B and T cell development. This cytokine and the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) form a heterodimer that functions as a pre-pro-B cell growth-stimulating factor. This cytokine is found to be a cofactor for V(D)J rearrangement of the T cell receptor beta (TCRB) during early T cell development. This cytokine can be produced locally by intestinal epithelial and epithelial goblet cells, and may serve as a regulatory factor for intestinal mucosal lymphocytes. Knockout studies in mice suggested that this cytokine plays an essential role in lymphoid cell survival.

Interleukin-4 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced primarily by activated T lymphocytes, basophils and mast cells. Multiple immune response-modulating functions are performed by IL-4 on a variety of cell types and it has an important role in the regulator of isotype switching, induction of IgE production in B lymphocytes and differentiation of precursor T helper cells. IL-4 binds to both membrane-bound and secreted soluble IL-4 receptors.

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.

HDAC2 is a member of the histone deacetylase family that performs through the construction of large multiprotein complexes and are in charge of the deacetylation of lysine residues on the N-terminal region of the core histones. HDAC2 forms transcriptional repressor complexes by relating to a diversity of proteins, like YY1- a mammalian zinc-finger transcription factor.
In addition, HDAC2 has a vital part in transcriptional regulation, cell cycle progression and developmental procedures.

IL-16 is a pleiotropic cytokine that functions as a chemoattractant, a modulator of T cell activation, and an inhibitor of HIV replication. The signaling process of IL-16 is mediated by CD4. The product of this gene undergoes proteolytic processing, which is found to yield two functional proteins. IL-16 functions exclusively attributed to the secreted C-terminal peptide, while the N-terminal product may play a role in cell cycle control. Caspase 3 is reported to be involved in the proteolytic processing of this protein. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.
IL-16 stimulates a migratory response in cd4+ lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils. Also induces t-lymphocyte expression of interleukin 2 receptor. ligand for cd4.

ARL3 (ARFL3) belongs to the ARF-like protein (ARL) subfamily of small GTPases. ARL3 does not activate the cholera toxin ADP-ribosyltranferase contrasting from ARFs. ARL3 is ubiquitously expressed. ARL3 may have a role in maintaining rod photoreceptor cells and regulating microtubule-dependent processes. ARL3 knockdown leads to altered cell morphology, failure of cytokinesis, acetylation of alpha tubulin and an increase in binucleated cells.

IL3 is a potent growth promoting cytokine. This cytokine is capable of supporting the proliferation of a broad range of hematopoietic cell types. It is involved in a variety of cell activities such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. This cytokine has been shown to also possess neurotrophic activity, and it may be associated with neurologic disorders.

4-1BBL is a transmembrane cytokine that is part of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. 4-1BBL is a bidirectional signal transducer that performs as a ligand for TNFRSF9, which is a costimulatory receptor molecule in T lymphocytes. TNFSF9 and its TNFRSF9 take part in the antigen presentation development and in the generation of cytotoxic T cells. 4-1BBR is absent from resting T lymphocytes but rapidly expressed upon antigenic stimulation. TNFSF9 reactivates anergic T lymphocytes as well as promoting T lymphocyte proliferation. 4-1BB Ligand is needed for the optimal CD8 responses in CD8 T cells. 4-1BBL is expressed in carcinoma cell lines, and is thought to be involved in T cell-tumor cell interaction. 4-1BBL is expressed by activated B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, activated T cells, neurons and astrocytes. The interaction of 4-1BB with TNFRSF9 strongly regulates immunity and has been proposed to preferentially control T cell responses based on studies in various murin