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Short chain dehydrogenase/reductase family 16C, member5 (SDR16C5) is active in the oxidative direction as well as in the reductive one. SDR16C5 oxidizes all-trans-retinol in all-trans-retinaldehyde. No activity was detected with 11-cis-retinol or 11-cis-retinaldehyde as substrates with either NAD+/NADH or NADP+/NADPH.

WNT1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 2 (WISP2) belongs to the WNT1 inducible signaling pathway (WISP) protein subfamily, which belongs to the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) family. The CTGF family members are characterized by 4 conserved cysteine-rich domains: insulin-like growth factor-binding domain, von Willebrand factor type C module, thrombospondin domain and C-terminal cystine knot-like (CT) domain. WISP2 protein lacks the CT domain which is implicated in dimerization binding. WISP2 is possibly involved in bone remodeling. WISP2 is expressed in primary osteoblasts and fibroblasts. WISP2 stimulates osteoblast adhesion and inhibits osteocalcin production. WISP2 expression in colon tumors is reduced while the other 2 WISP members are overexpressed in colon tumors. WISP2 may play an imperative role in modulating bone turnover.

Sclerostin (SOST) is a secreted glycoprotein with a C-terminal cysteine knot-like (CTCK) domain and sequence similarity to the DAN (differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma) family of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists. Sclerostin functions as a negative regulator of bone growth, by inhibiting bone formation. SOST is widely expressed at low levels, with highest levels in the bone, cartilage, kidney, liver, bone marrow and primary osteoblasts differentiated for 21 days. SOST gene defects cause sclerosteosis and bone dysplasia.

MAX protein is part of the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLHZ) family of transcription factors. MAX forms homodimers and heterodimers with Mad, Mxi1 and Myc. Myc is an oncoprotein implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The homodimers and heterodimers compete for a common DNA target site (the E box) and rearrangement among these dimer forms offers a complex system of transcriptional regulation. In contrast to Myc, which is exceedingly regulated throughout progression during the cell cycle, Max is very stable and is much more abundant than Myc.

HSPA13 belongs to the heat shock protein 70 family and is related to microsomes. Members of this protein family take part in the processing of cytosolic and secretory proteins, in addition to the exclusion of denatured or incorrectly-folded proteins. HSPA13 is known to cooperate with PLIC-1 and PLIC-2, proteins which have a role in the signaling connection between the membrane receptors for thrombospondin and the cytoskeleton

Secretoglobin Family 1D, Member 1 (SCGB1D1) belongs to the lipophilin subfamily, part of the uteroglobin superfamily, and is an ortholog of prostatein (which is the major secretory glycoprotein of the rat ventral prostate gland). SCGB1D1 binds androgens and other steroids. In addition SCGB1D1 binds chemotherapeutic drugs during the prostate cancer treatment. Steroid hormones regulate the SCGB1D1 transcription. SCGB1D1 is secreted into extracellular space. SCGB1D1 gene product represents one component of a heterodimeric molecule found in human tears whose elution profile is consistent with prostatein (which is a tetrameric molecule comprised of 3 peptide components in heterodimers).

Pleckstrin Homology Domain Containing Family F Member 2, also known as PLEKHF2, contains 1 FYVE-type zinc finger and 1 PH domain. PLEKHF2 takes part in early endosome fusion upstream of RAB5, regulates receptor trafficking and fluid-phase transport. PLEKHF2 increases cellular sensitivity to TNF-induced apoptosis.

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.

Pleckstrin homology-like domain family A member 2 (PHLDA2) is a cytoplasmic protein, which is involved in fetal and placental growth. PHLDA2 is an apoptosis-related protein, which acts as a negative growth regulator and is expressed during normal human development. PHLDA2 is imprinted on placenta, liver and fetal tissues during embryogenesis and is removed once development is complete. The PHLDA2 gene is one of a number of genes in the imprinted gene domain of 11p15.5 which is considered to be an important tumor suppressor gene region. Changes in this region may be linked to the Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Wilms tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, adrenocortical carcinoma, and lung, ovarian, and breast cancer. PHLDA2 is expressed in placenta (present in all cells of the villous cytotrophoblast) and adult prostate gland. Furthermore, PHLDA2 is expressed in adult brain and neuroblastoma, medullablastoma and glioblastoma cell lines and at low levels in adult liver and lung, and fetal liver.

Hemoglobin subunit zeta (HBZ) is part of the globin family. Hemoglobin Zeta is alpha-like hemoglobin. The HBZ polypeptide is synthesized in the yolk sac of the early embryo, while alpha-globin is produced throughout fetal and adult life.

DIRAS1 is a member of a distinct branch of the functionally diverse Ras superfamily of monomeric GTPases. DIRAS1 demonstrates low GTPase activity and exists mainly in the GTP-bound form. Ras proteins operate as binary molecular switches that control intracellular signaling networks. Ras-regulated signal pathways regulate such processes as actin cytoskeletal integrity, proliferation, differentiation, cell adhesion, apoptosis, and cell migration. Ras and ras-related proteins are frequently deregulated in cancers, leading to increased invasion and metastasis, and decreased apoptosis.

RAB, Member RAS Oncogene Family-Like 5 (RABL5) belongs to the Ras superfamily of small GTP-binding proteins. The Ras-related superfamily of guanine nucleotide binding proteins includes the R-Ras, Rap, Ral/Rec and Rho/Rab subfamilies. Rab proteins have an essential role in endocytosis or in biosynthetic protein transport. The transporting process of newly synthesized proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to various stacks of the Golgi complex and to secretory vesicles includes the movement of carrier vesicles and requires Rab protein function.

Melanoma Antigen Family A 8, also known as MAGEA8 belongs to the MAGE gene family, which includes twelve known genes, of which six are expressed in tumors. Furthermore, the MAGE genes were at first isolated from different kinds of tumors, and according to their virtually exclusive tumor-specific expression in adult tissues, they have been used as targets for cancer immunotherapy.

POU5F1 is a homeodomain transcription factor of the POU family, expressed in embryonic stem (ES) cells and embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells.POU5F1 is significantly involved in the signaling pathway for maintaining self-renewal and pluripotency of ES cells. POU5F1 has 2 distinct DNA binding domains which independently bind half-sites of the canonical octamer motif. This flexibility allows POU5F1 to bind with distinct DNA motifs by forming heterodimers with other transcription factors or by forming homodimers in several conformations. Human POU5F1 contains a 75aa POU specific (POUS) domain and a 60aa POU-Homeo-(POUH) domain connected by a linker region. The Human POU5F1 specifically interacts with Octamer motif ATGCAAAT. In addition, 2 proline-rich domains in the N-terminal and C-terminal regions are vital for POU5F1 transactivation. POU5F1 regulates a number of target genes and has been shown to work jointly with other transcription factors including Sox2 as well as Nanog to sustain stem cell potency and self-renewal.

RHOG belongs to the Rac subfamily of the Rho family of small G proteins. RHOG is a small monomeric GTP-binding protein (G protein), and is a key element of several intracellular signalling pathways. RHOG is needed for the formation of membrane ruffles during macropinocytosis. RHOG takes part in cell migration and is essential for the formation of cup-like structures during trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes. Similar to various small G proteins RHOG has a role in several cellular signalling mechanisms such as cell motility, gene transcription, endocytosis, neurite outgrowth, protection from anoikis and regulation of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase.

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member D1 (AKR1D1) belongs to the AKR superfamily. The AKR family proteins are soluble NADPH oxidoreductases, which have vital roles in the metabolism of drugs, carcinogens and reactive aldehydes. AKR1D1 is also responsible for the catalysis of the 5-beta-reduction of bile acid intermediates and steroid hormones that carry a delta (4)-3-1 structure. AKR1D1 is highly expressed in the liver, colon and testis. Deficiency of the AKR1D1 enzyme may contribute to hepatic dysfunction.

RAP1B is a member of a superfamily of RAS-like small GTP-binding proteins which takes part in cell signaling. RAP1B owns an intrinsic GTPase activity and is universally expressed in mammalian tissues. The alleged effector domain of Ras proteins, whose integrity is required for cell transformation as well as interaction with the putative effector protein GAP, is conserved in both Rap 1 proteins.

SET is part of a complex localized to the endoplasmic reticulum however is found in the nucleus. SET inhibits apoptosis following attack by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and can also enhance DNA replication of the adenovirus genome. SET inhibits acetylation of nucleosomes, particularly histone H4, by histone acetylases (HAT). This inhibition is accomplished by masking histone lysines from being acetylated.

R-spondin-3 (RSPO3) belongs to the thrombospondin type 1 repeat supergene family. RSPO3 is a secreted protein which is widely expressed in many tissues. RSPO3 contains 2 Furin-like repeats which have been found in various eukaryotic proteins involved in the mechanism of signal transduction by receptor tyrosine kinases, and one TSP type-1 domain. RSPO3 acts as an activator of the beta-catenin signaling cascade, initiating TCF-dependent gene activation.

Snail Family Zinc Finger 2 also known as SNAI2 is a member of the snail C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family. SNAI2 acts as a transcriptional repressor which binds to E-box motifs and is as well likely to repress E-cadherin transcription in breast carcinoma. SNAI2 is implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal transitions furthermore, it has antiapoptotic activity.

SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) is small cytokine belonging to the chemokine family that is officially designated Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12). It is produced in two forms, SDF-1?/CXCL12a and SDF-1?/CXCL12b, by alternate splicing of the same gene. Chemokines are characterized by the presence of four conserved cysteines, which form two disulfide bonds. The CXCL12 proteins belong to the group of CXC chemokines, whose initial pair of cysteines are separated by one intervening amino acid. CXCL12 is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and has been implicated as an important cell co-ordinator during development. During embryogenesis it directs the migration of hematopoietic cells from foetal liver to bone marrow. Mice which were knocked-out for CXCL12 gene were lethal before the birth or within just 1 hour of life. As another role, CXCL12a alters also the electrophysiology of neurons. CXCL12 was shown to be expressend in many tissues in mice (including brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and bone marrow).
The receptor for this chemokine is CXCR4, which was previously called fusin. This CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction used to be considered exclusive (unlike for other chemokines and their receptors), but recently it was suggested that CXCL12 is also bound by CXCR7 receptor.
The gene for CXCL12 is located on human chromosome 10. In human and mouse both CXCL12 and CXCR4 show high identity of sequence: 99% and 90%, respectively.

Nephroblastoma Overexpressed (NOV) is a member of the CCN family of secreted cysteine rich regulatory proteins. The full length NOV protein is comprised of 4 structural domains, which present distinct, and sometimes opposing, biological activities. An elevated expression of NOV is linked with certain tumors, including Wilm’s tumor and most nephroblastomas. On the other hand, in other tumor types and certain cancer cell lines, increased tumorgenicity and proliferation is associated with decreased NOV expression.

L antigen family member 3 (LAGE3) is a part of the CTAG family. LAGE3 is ubiquitously expressed in somatic tissues unlike the other family members, which are usually expressed only in testis and activated in a broad range of human tumors. LAGE3 is also highly conserved in mouse and rat, suggesting that the encoded protein is functionally significant.