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FGF-basic is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. This protein functions as a modifier of endothelial cell migration and proliferation, as well as an angiogenic factor. It acts as a mitogen for a variety of mesoderm- and neuroectoderm-derived cells in vitro, thus is thought to be involved in organogenesis. Three alternatively spliced variants encoding different isoforms have been described. The heparin-binding growth factors are angiogenic agents in vivo and are potent mitogens for a variety of cell types in vitro. There are differences in the tissue distribution and concentration of these 2 growth factors.

Geminin is a 25 kDa nuclear protein, which inhibits DNA replication and is degraded during the mitotic phase of the cell cycle. Geminin controls replication by binding to the licensing factor Cdt1, and is involved in neural differentiation. In addition, Geminin directly interacts with Six3 and Hox homeodomain proteins during embryogenesis and inhibits their functions. Geminin can also promote DNA replication. Geminin has 2 roles in 2 different stages of the cell cycle: Geminin is a negative regulator of DNA replication during the “S phase” of the cell cycle. Inhibition of Geminin during the “S phase” (by RNAi) results in an additional round of replication of portions of the genome. During the “M phase” of the cell cycle (mitosis) Geminin stabilizes the replication factor Cdt1 promoting DNA replication during the next cell cycle. Moreover, inhibition of Geminin during mitosis (by RNAi) causes destabilization of Cdt1 protein and impairment of DNA replication during the next cell cycle. Geminin thus guarantees that only one round of replication occurs during each cell cycle. It was discovered that Geminin is overexpressed in a number of malignancies and cancer cell lines. This maintains the concept that Geminin has also a positive role in DNA replication and cell cycle progression. Geminin accumulates through S, G2 and M phases of the cell cycle but is absent during the G1 phase. During the metaphase/anaphase transition of mitosis Geminin levels decrease.

The 14-3-3 family of proteins plays a key regulatory role in signal transduction, checkpoint control, apoptotic and nutrient-sensing pathways. 14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed. There are at least seven isoforms, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ? and ? that have been identified in mammals. The 14-3-3 tau, a subtype of the 14-3-3 family of proteins, was found in T Cells, brain and testes. This 14-3-3 tau is upregulated in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

SERF2 (small EDRK-rich factor 2) is a member of the SERF family. SERF2 is a protein-coding gene. Among the diseases associated with SERF2 are spinal muscular atrophy, and muscular atrophy.

Osteocrin is a recently identified secreted protein expression of which was only detected in bone, peaking just after birth and decreasing markedly with age. A 1280-bp mRNA encodes osteocrin producing a mature protein of 103 amino acids with a molecular mass of 11.4 kDa. In primary osteoblastic cell cultures osteocrin expression coincided with matrix formation then decreased in very mature cultures. Treatment of cultures with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 resulted in a rapid dose- dependent down-regulation of osteocrin expression, suggesting direct regulation. Chronic treatment of primary cultures with osteocrin-conditioned media inhibited mineralization and reduced osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase expression. These results suggest that osteocrin represents a novel, unique vitamin D-regulated bone-specific protein that appears to act as a soluble osteoblast regulator.

Cellular Repressor of E1A-Stimulated Genes 1 (CREG1) both activates and inhibits gene expression to stimulate cellular proliferation and hinder differentiation. CREG1 antagonizes transcriptional activation and cellular transformation by E1A. CREG1 shares partial sequence similarity with E1A and binds both the general transcription factor TBP and the tumor suppressor pRb in vitro. CREG1 contributes to the transcriptional control of cell growth and differentiation.

Chromosome 19 Open Reading Frame 80 (C19ORF80) is a significant new regulator of lipid metabolism which regulates serum triglyceride levels, possibly by promoting ANGPTL3 cleavage. C19ORF80 belongs to the ANGPTL protein family. C19ORF80 is a hormone which specifically promotes pancreatic beta cell proliferation and beta cell mass expansion, thus improving glucose tolerance. C19ORF80 is mainly expressed in the liver; it is also expressed in adipose tissues. C19ORF80 is expressed in response to food intake and stimulated by insulin.

CRAHSP1 is a serine phosphoprotein initially identified as a physiological substrate for the Ca2+-calmodulin regulated protein phosphatase calcineurin (PP2B). CRAHSP1 interacts with the STYX/dead phosphate protein in developing spermatids and is a paralog of the brain-specific mRNA-binding protein PIPPIN. It is believed to have a common role in calcium-mediated signal transduction resulting from phosphorylation on serine residues.

TREM2 is a membrane protein that forms a receptor signaling complex with TYROBP. TREM2 may be involved in chronic inflammation by triggering the production of constitutive inflammatory cytokines. Defects in the TREM2 gene are a source of polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy (PLOSL).

4-1BBR is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. 4-1BB receptor contributes to the clonal expansion, survival, and development of T cells.4-1BBRcan also induce proliferation in peripheral monocytes, enhance T cell apoptosis induced by TCR/CD3 triggered activation, and regulate CD28 co-stimulation to promote Th1 cell responses. The expression of this receptor is induced by lymphocyte activation. TRAF adaptor proteins have been shown to bind to this receptor and transduce the signals leading to activation of NF-kappaB.

NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 beta subcomplex subunit 9 (NDUFB9) which is a part of the complex I LYR family is localized to the internal mitochondrial membrane, as well as to the matrix side of the peripheral membrane. NDUFB9 serves as an accessory subunit of the multi-subunit mitochondrial membrane respiratory chain NADH dehydrogenase complex I. Complex I takes a crucial part in the transfer of electrons from NADH to the respiratory chain, a process which is vital for cellular respiration.

Celiac disease is an enteropathy that is characterized by intestinal lesions of variable severity. Tissue-type transglutaminase (tTG) is believed to be the predominant autoantigen for celiac disease and the corresponding autoantibodies show higher sensitivity and specificity than anti-gliadin antibodies. Highly pure recombinant human tTG is now available to replace the traditionally used tTG fraction from guinea pig.
Tissue-type transglutaminase antigens have been specifically modified for improved handling: exchange of an active site amino acid eliminates the protein cross-linking activity of the enzyme, while maintaining the native three-dimensional structure and the enzyme's secondary GTPase activity. This engineering assures reproducible properties of the antigen preparations through the absence of variable and ill-defined covalent aggregates of tTG antigen and host cell proteins.

GMCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. The active form of the protein is found extracellularly as a homodimer. This gene has been localized to a cluster of related genes at chromosome region 5q31, which is known to be associated with interstitial deletions in the 5q- syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia. Other genes in the cluster include those encoding interleukins 4, 5, and 13.
GM-CSF stimulates the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic precursor cells from various lineages, including granulocytes, macrophages, eosinophils and erythrocytes. Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor is a potent species-specific growth factor produced by a variety of cell types including T cells, B cells, macrophages, mast cells and endothelial cells. GM-CSF is produced in response to cytokine or immune stimulation and has been shown to stimulate the proliferation, maturation and function of hematopoietic cells.

ZW10 Interacting Kinetochore Protein (ZWINT) is involved in kinetochore function. ZWINT is part of the MIS12 complex, which is essential for kinetochore formation and spindle checkpoint activity. ZWINT is localized to the cytoplasm during interphase and to kinetochores from late prophase to anaphase. ZWINT interacts with ZW10 (Zeste White 10) and regulates the association between ZW10 and kinetochores. ZWINT gene defects are linked with the pathogenesis of Roberts’s syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by growth retardation due to premature chromosome separation.

BP-1 gene, a member of the DLX homeobox gene family, is overexpressed in 80% of breast cancer patients, and thus represents a potential new target for diagnosis and treatment.
Members of the Dlx gene family contain a homeobox that is related to that of Distal-less (Dll), a gene expressed in the head and limbs of the developing fruit fly (Drosophila). The Distal-less (Dlx) family of genes comprises at least 6 different members, DLX1-DLX6. The DLX proteins are postulated to play a role in forebrain and craniofacial development. Three transcript variants have been described for this gene, however, the full length nature of one variant has not been described. Studies of the two splice variants revealed that one encoded isoform functions as a repressor of the beta-globin gene while the other isoform lacks that function.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important signaling protein involved in vessel formation As its name implies, VEGF activity has been mostly studied on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g. stimulation monocyte/macrophage migration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ). VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces vasculogenesis and endothelial cell production, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesis and cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor. VEGF is located in normal cartilage though only osteoarthritic cartilage expresses the VEGF receptors, NP1, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2. The VEGF level in the culture media from OA chondrocytes was more than 3 folds higher than in media from normal chondrocytes

R-Spondin-1 (Rspo1) is a part of the Rspondin family. Rspo1 plays a role as an activator of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway by acting as a ligand for LGR4-6 receptors. Rspo1 induces the onset of crypt cell proliferation and increases intestinal epithelial healing effect. Rspo1 is negatively regulating the TGF-beta pathway.

Musculoskeletal, Embryonic Nuclear Protein 1, also known as MUSTN1 is a member of the MUSTANG family. MUSTN1 is implicated in the development andregeneration of the musculoskeletal system.

Upstream Transcription Factor 1 (USF1) belongs to the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper family, and functions as a cellular transcription factor. USF1 activates transcription via pyrimidine-rich initiator (Inr) elements and E-box motifs. The USF1 gene has been linked to familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL). USF1 is a transcription factor which binds to a symmetrical DNA sequence (E-boxes) (5'-CACGTG-3') found in a various viral and cellular promoters.

Integrins are heterodimeric proteins consist of alpha and beta subunits. There are more than 18 alpha and 8 beta subunits discovered in mammals. Integrin family members are membrane receptors that participates in cell adhesion and recognition in a variety of processes including embryogenesis, hemostasis, tissue repair, immune response and metastatic diffusion of tumor cells. ITGB1 encodes a beta subunit.

Crystallin, Mu (CRYM) is a taxon-specific crystallin protein which binds NADPH and has sequence similarity to bacterial ornithine cyclodeaminases. CRYM doesn’t perform a structural role in lens tissue; instead CRYM binds thyroid hormone for possible regulatory or developmental roles. CRYM gene mutations are linked with autosomal dominant non-syndromic deafness. CRYM specifically catalyzes the reduction of imine bonds in brain substrates which may include cystathionine ketamine and lanthionine ketamine.

CST9 belongs to the CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic) subfamily. The CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic) protein outlines a new subgroup in the family 2 cystatins of the cystatin superfamily. A few members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, however others have lost or possibly never developed this inhibitory activity. CST9 takes part in hematopoietic differentiation or inflammation and is expressed in heart, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle and pancreas. CST9 is upregulated by LPS in several cancer cell lines, such as promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) and myelomonocytic leukemia.

SKP1 is a F-box enzyme which functions as a substrate recognition component of the SCF ubiquitin ligase complex which controls the ubiquitination of proteins involved in cell cycle progression, signal transduction and transcription. SKP1 binds to proteins containing an F-box motif, such as cyclin F, S-phase kinase-associated protein 2, and other regulatory proteins involved in ubiquitin dependent proteolysis. SKP1 takes part in the control of beta-catenin levels and the activity of beta-catenin dependent TCF transcription factors. SKP1 serves as an adapter that links the F-box protein to CUL1 in the SCF complex.

VSNL1 is a member of the visinin/recoverin subfamily of neuronal calcium sensor proteins. VILIP1 is strongly expressed in granule cells of the cerebellum where it associates with membranes in a calcium-dependent manner and modulates intracellular signaling pathways of the central nervous system by directly or indirectly regulating the activity of adenylyl cyclase. Changes in cellular expression of VSNL1 were found in hipppocampi of schizophrenics, since more interneurons showed immunoreactivity.
VILIP1 is expressed in pancreatic beta-cells. VILIP-1 interacts with cell membrane and actin-based cytoskeleton. VSNL1 modulates cAMP-accumulation in C6 glioma cells. HLP3 modulates cGMP-accumulation in transfected neural cells and cerebellar granule neurons.