Search results

Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor, also known as CNTFR is a member of the type I cytokine receptor family. CNTFR binds to CNTF.The alpha subunit provides the receptor specificity.Sole nucleotide polymorphisms in CNTFR has been associated with variations in muscle strength, in addition to early onset of eating disorders.

BAG1 binds to BCL2 and is also called BCL2-associated athanogene. BAG1 increases the anti-apoptotic effects of BCL2 and is characterizes as a link between growth factor receptors and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. BAG1 inhibits the chaperone activity of HSP70/HSC70 by promoting substrate release. BAG1 inhibits the pro-apoptotic function of PPP1R15A, and has anti-apoptotic activity. BAG1 enhances the anti-cell death function of BCL2 induced by various stimuli.

Tumor necrosis factor is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction. TNF is mainly secreted by macrophages.
TNF causes apoptotic cell death, cellular proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, tumorigenesis and viral replication, TNF is also involved in lipid metabolism, and coagulation. TNF's primary role is in the regulation of immune cells.
Dysregulation and, in particular, overproduction of TNF have been implicated in a variety of human diseases- autoimmune diseases, insulin resistance, and cancer.

proBDNF (the precursor form of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) interacts preferentially with p75NTR (the pan-neurotrophin receptor p75) and vps10p domain-containing receptor sortilin and induces neuronal apoptosis, while the mature BDNF selectively binds with great affinity to the TrkB kinase receptor and promotes the survival, growth and differentiation of neurons. Since proneurotrophins and mature neurotrophins bring forth opposite biological effects, proBDNF cleavage in the neuronal system is regulated in a specific and cell-context dependent manner. proBDNF has an important role in negative regulation of neurotrophic actions in the brain.

NGF-beta has nerve growth stimulating activity and the complex is involved in the regulation of growth and the differentiation of sympathetic and certain sensory neurons. Mutations in this gene have been associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, type 5 (HSAN5), and dysregulation of this gene's expression is associated with allergic rhinitis.

BAG3 Inhibits the chaperone activity of HSP70/HSC70 by promoting substrate release. BAG3 has anti-apoptotic activity. BAG proteins participate with Hip for their binding to Hsc70/Hsp70 ATPase domain and encourage substrate release. BAG proteins have about 45 amino acid BAG domain close to the C terminus however they differ noticeably in their N-terminal regions. BAG3 includes a WW domain in the N-terminal region and a BAG domain in the C-terminal region. The BAG domains of BAG1, BAG2, and BAG3 interact particularly with the Hsc70 ATPase domain in vitro and in mammalian cells. They bind with high affinity to the ATPase domain of Hsc70 and inhibit its chaperone activity in a Hip-repressible manner. BAG3 plays a role as a protein-refolding cochaperone of the bcl2 binding protein BAG family and as upregulated in response to persistent stress of cellular calcium balance dysregulation. BAG3 has been shown to diminish stress-induced apoptosis.

TNFR2 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR2 is receptor with high affinity for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and approximately 5-fold lower affinity for homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha. TNFR2 mediates the majority of the metabolic effects of TNF-alpha. In addition, knockout studies in mice propose a role for TNFR2 in protecting neurons from apoptosis by stimulating antioxidative pathways. TNFR2 expression might have a significant role in the angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and metastasis of Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast.
There are 2 types of soluble TNF receptors: sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II, which act to neutralize the biological activities of TNF alpha and TNF beta. The levels of these soluble receptors seem to increase as a result of shedding of the extracellular domains of the membrane bound receptors. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women. TNFR2 and TNFR1 form a heterocomplex which mediates the recruitment of 2 anti-apoptotic proteins, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2, which possess E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. IAPs’ function in TNF-receptor signaling is unknown; nevertheless, c-IAP1 is believed to potentiate TNF-induced apoptosis by the ubiquitination and degradation of TNF-receptor-associated factor 2, which mediates anti-apoptotic signals. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.

Transferrin is the iron-transport protein of vertebrate serum and donates iron to cells through interaction with a specific membrane receptor, CD71. Transferrin appears to be indispensable for most cells growing in tissue culture.
It is referred to frequently as a growth factor because, in analogy to other growth factor-receptor interactions, proliferating cells express high numbers of transferrin receptors, and the binding of transferrin to their receptors is needed for cells to initiate and maintain their DNA synthesis. Apart from its role as an iron transport protein transferrin acts as a cytokine and has functions that may not be related to its iron-carrying capacity.

GTF2B is one of the ubiquitous factors needed for transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II preinitiation factor. GTF2B localizes to the nucleus where it forms a complex (the DAB complex) with transcription factors IID and IIA. GTF2 plays a role as a bridge between IID, which initially recognizes the promoter sequence, and RNA polymerase II. GTF2B is involved in the selection of the transcription start site.

TNFRSF13B (TACI) is a transmembrane receptor protein found predominantly on the surface of B cells (a significant part of the immune system). TACI was at first discovered owing to its ability to interact with calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand (CAML). Later on, it was found that TACI plays a key role in humoral immunity by interacting with two members of the TNF family. Also, TACI controls T cell-independent B cell antibody responses, isotype switching, and B cell homeostasis.

Lymphotoxin alpha, a member of the tumor necrosis factor family, is a cytokine produced by lymphocytes. LTA is highly inducible, secreted, and exists as homotrimeric molecule. LTA forms heterotrimers with lymphotoxin-beta which anchors lymphotoxin-alpha to the cell surface. LTA mediates a large variety of inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and antiviral responses. LTA is also involved in the formation of secondary lymphoid organs during development and plays a role in apoptosis.

TNFRSF17 is a receptor for tnfsf13b/blys/baff and tnfsf13/april. TNFRSF17 promotes b-cell survival and plays a role in the regulation of humoral immunity. TNFRSF17 activates nf-kappa-b and jnk. TNFRSF17 is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFRSF17 is expressed in mature B lymphocytes, and is invloved in B cell development and autoimmune response. TNFRSF17 specifically binds to the tumor TNFSF13B/TALL-1/BAFF, which causes NF-kappaB and MAPK8/JNK activation. TNFRSF17 binds to a variety of TRAF family members, and therefore transduces signals for cell survival and proliferation. TNFRSF17 is a type III membrane protein having 1 extracellular cysteine rich domain. Within the TNFRSF, it shares the highest homology with TACI. BCMA and TACI have both been shown to bind to APRIL and BAFF, members of the TNF ligand superfamily. BCMA expression has been found in immune organs. TNFRSF17 appears to be localized to the Golgi compartment. The binding of BCMA to APRIL or BAFF has been shown to stimulate IgM production in peripheral blood B cells and increase the survival of cultured B cells.

Beta-secretase 1 or BACE1 or beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1, is a protein that is encoded by the BACE1 gene in humans. Expression of BACE1 is seen primarily in neurons as it is crucial for the creation of myelin sheats in the peripheric nervous system. Beta-secretase 1 is a proteas that is located in the cell membrane (transmembrane). The enzyme consists of 2 active sites (aspartate residues) in the extracellular domain that can act as a dimer.

Proteins of the TFF family are characterized by obtaining a minimum of 1 copy of the trefoil motif, a 40-amino acid domain that contains 3 conserved disulfides. Trefoil Factors are stable secretory proteins expressed in gastrointestinal mucosa which protect the mucosa from insults, stabilize the mucus layer and affect healing of the epithelium.TFF2 inhibits gastric acid motility & secretion. TFF2 stabilizes glycoproteins in the mucus gel through interactions with carbohydrate side chains. TFF3 induces ciliogenesis and promotes airway epithelial ciliated cell differentiation, relatively through an epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent pathway. TFF3 overexpression is crucial for progression in mouse and human hepatocellular carcinogenesis. TFF-3 is normally expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and its expression associates with tumor grade.

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

Transferrin is the iron-transport protein of vertebrate serum and donates iron to cells through interaction with a specific membrane receptor, CD71. Transferrin appears to be indispensable for most cells growing in tissue culture.
It is referred to frequently as a growth factor because, in analogy to other growth factor-receptor interactions, proliferating cells express high numbers of transferrin receptors, and the binding of transferrin to their receptors is needed for cells to initiate and maintain their DNA synthesis. Apart from its role as an iron transport protein transferrin acts as a cytokine and has functions that may not be related to its iron-carrying capacity.
Human Transferrin is a crucial component for the cultivation of mammalian cells in-vitro. Human Transferrin is Critical for long-term cells growth in-vitro. Human Transferrin is used as detoxificant in media by binding contaminating metal ions. Human Transferrin is often used as a nutrient in fermentation media for recombinant protein and biopharmaceutical production. Additional common uses of Human Transferrin areMolecular weight, Affinity purification of anti-human transferrin antibodies and also as receptor mediated transfection of molecules such as DNA, into cells.

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase 2 cytoplasmic (PAFAH2) has a marked selectivity for phospholipids with short acyl chains at the sn-2 position. PAFAH2 may share a mutual physiologic function with the plasma-type enzyme.

Transforming growth factor betas (TGFBetas) mediate many cell-cell interactions that occur during embryonic development. Three TGFBetas have been identified in mammals. TGFBeta1, TGFBeta2 and TGFBeta3 are each synthesized as precursor proteins that are very similar in that each is cleaved to yield a 112 amino acid polypeptide that remains associated with the latent portion of the molecule.

Tumor necrosis factor is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction. TNF is mainly secreted by macrophages.
TNF causes apoptotic cell death, cellular proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, tumorigenesis and viral replication, TNF is also involved in lipid metabolism, and coagulation. TNF's primary role is in the regulation of immune cells.
Dysregulation and, in particular, overproduction of TNF have been implicated in a variety of human diseases- autoimmune diseases, and cancer.

ASF1A is part of the H3/H4 family of histone chaperone proteins corresponding to the anti-silencing function-1 gene in yeast. ASF1A is an important element of the histone donor complex that functions in nucleosome assembly. ASF1A interacts with histones H3 and H4, and functions together with a chromatin assembly factor during DNA replication and repair. Deletion of ASF1A in yeast and Drosophila confers sensitivity to various DNA damaging agents and inhibitors of DNA replication, increases genomic instability and sister chromatid exchange, and activates the DNA damage checkpoint.

DDX39A which is a part of the DEAD box protein family is characterized by the conserved motif Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp. This pattern is implicated in a various cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly. Several members of the DEAD box protein family are taking part in embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and cellular growth and division.

XIAP Associated Factor 1 (XAF1) is a protein which binds to and counteracts the inhibitory effect of a member of the IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) protein family. IAP proteins bind to and inhibit caspases which are activated in the course of apoptosis. The ratio of IAPs and proteins which interfere with their activity, such as the XAF1 protein, influence the progress of the apoptosis signaling pathway. Additionally, XAF1 inhibits anti-caspase activity of BIRC4. XAF1 induces cleavage and inactivation of BIRC4 independent of caspase activation. Furthermore, XAF1 mediates TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis and is involved in apoptosis in trophoblast cells.

General Transcription Factor IIF Polypeptide 2 (GTF2F2) is a general transcription initiation factor which binds to RNA polymerase II and helps engage it in the initiation complex in collaboration with TFIIB. GTF2F2 promotes transcription elongation. GTF2F2 shows ATP-dependent DNA-helicase activity.

General Transcription Factor IIH Polypeptide 5 (GTF2H5) is a subunit of transcription/repair factor TFIIH, which serves in gene transcription and DNA repair. GTF2H5 protein stimulates ERCC3/XPB ATPase activity which triggers DNA opening during DNA repair, and is involved in the regulation of cellular levels of TFIIH. GTF2H5 gene mutations result in trichothiodystrophy, complementation group A.