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C11ORF31 (Chromosome 11 Open Reading Frame 31) is a selenoprotein, which contains a selenocysteine (Sec) residue at its active site. The selenocysteine is encoded by the UGA codon which ordinarily signals translation termination. The 3' UTR of selenoprotein genes have a mutual stem-loop structure, the sec insertion sequence (SECIS), which is essential for the recognition of UGA as a Sec codon rather than as a stop signal. The exact function of the C11ORF31 gene is not known, however, selenoproteins are assumed to be responsible for most biomedical effects of dietary selenium. C11ORF31 is involved in a redox-related process.

Stem cell factor / KIT ligand (SCF) is a cytokine which binds CD117(c-Kit). SCF is also known as "steel factor" or "c-kit ligand". SCF exists in two forms, cell surface bound SCF and soluble (or free) SCF. Soluble SCF is produced by the cleavage of surface bound SCF by metalloproteases. SCF is a growth factor important for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells and other hematopoietic progenitor cells. One of its roles is to change the BFU-E (burst-forming unit-erythroid) cells, which are the earliest erythrocyte precursors in the erythrocytic series, into the CFU-E (colony-forming unit-erythroid).

HAUS augmin-like complex subunit 1 (HAUS1) is 1 of 8 subunits of the 390kDa human augmin complex/ HAUS complex. The augmin complex is a microtubule-binding complex required in microtubule generation within the mitotic spindle and is imperative to mitotic spindle compilation. HAUS1 contributes to mitotic spindle assembly, maintenance of centrosome integrity and completion of cytokinesis as part of the HAUS augmin-like complex. HAUS1 is broadly expressed, especially in the pancreas, kidney, skeletal muscle, liver and heart. However it is weakly expressed in the lung, brain and placenta. HAUS1-depleted cells hold functional cell cycle checkpoints, but the depletion reduces the G2/M cell cycle compartment and stimulates apoptosis. The HAUS1 protein level remains constant through the cell cycle.

Omentin is a recently recognized gene highly localized to the mental tissue (visceral adipose tissue). Omentin is present in the stromal vascular cells in the adipose tissue rather than in the adipocytes. Omentin is predominantly expressed in the visceral adipose tissue than the subcutaneous tissue, with the omentin mRNA being 150 times higher in the visceral adipose tissue. Omentin has also been detected in human blood using western blot analysis, and seems to increase insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in mice. Omentin seems to increase Akt phosphorylation irrespective of insulin presence. Its role in glucose metabolism and obesity remains to be described; an insulin-sensitizing action is possible.Differences in Omentin expression has been noted in adipose tissue from normals and patients with inflammatory bowel disease although its significance is unknown.

BMP2 belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. Bone morphogenic protein induces bone formation. BMP2 is a candidate gene for the autosomal dominant disease of fibrodysplasia (myositis) ossificans progressiva.

HMGB1 is an abundant chromatin-binding protein found in eukaryotic cell nucleus and acts in the assembly of nucleoprotein complexes. Inside the cell, HMGB1 binds to DNA and is involved in transcriptional regulation. Outside the cell, HMGB1 acts as a cytokine with activities that resemble those of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). HMGB1 is elevated significantly in chronic kidney disease patients and correlates with glomerular filtration rate as well as with markers of inflammation and malnutrition. HMGB1 is involved in Gram-negative sepsis by catalyzing movement of LPS monomers from LPS aggregates to CD14 to initiate a TLR4-mediated proinflammatory response. HMGB1 plays an important role in the relationship between necrosis and malignancy in glioma tumours. HMG1 protein is induced by Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Overexpression of HMGB1 is common in gastrointestinal stromal tumors and is related to the KIT mutation. HMG1 induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in macrophages through RAGE intracellular signaling pathway. The increase of extracellular HMGB1 observed in salivary glands of Sjogren's syndrome patients indicates that HMGB-1 is involved in the inflammatory process of the disease. HMGB-1 together with estrogen increase cell cycle progression in tumor cell lines.

PINX1 is a common expressed protein that localizes to nucleoli and telomere speckles. PINX1 contains a Telomerase Inhibiting Domain that is caable of binding MCRS1, TERT and TERF1. PINX1 has been shown to be a potent telomerase inhibitor and putative tumor suppressor. PINX1 is recruited to chromosome periphery by Nucleolin, their complex is necessary for faithful chromosome congression. PINX1 regulates the nucleolar accumulation and telomeric association of TRF1. PINX1 is involved in gastric cancer development. PINX1 expression is a sign of gastric cancer development. Constitutive expression of PINX1 attributes to telomere maintenance by telomerase and tumorigenicity in cancer cells.

RAC1 is a GTPase which belongs to the RAS superfamily of small GTP-binding proteins. Members of this superfamily appear to regulate a diverse array of cellular events, including the control of cell growth, cytoskeletal reorganization, and the activation of protein kinases. RAC-1 regulates the actin cytoskeleton but also other cellular processes. RAC1 have been shown to be involved in the regulation of cell-cell adhesion.

LCAT is an extracellular cholesterol esterifying enzyme, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase. The esterification of cholesterol is required for cholesterol transport. LCAT is a essential enzyme in the extracellular metabolism of plasma lipoproteins.

Sulfite oxidase, also known as SUOX is a homodimeric protein localized to the intermembrane space of mitochondria. Each subunit includes a heme domain as well as a molybdopterin-binding domain. The SUOX enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of sulfite to sulfate, the last reaction in the oxidative degradation of the sulfur amino acids cysteine and methionine. In addition, the deficiency of SUOX results in neurological abnormalities which are often fatal at an early age.

GMFB is part of the GMF subfamily of the larger actin-binding protein ADF family. GMFB is phosphorylated after phorbol ester stimulation, and is crucial for the nervous system. GMFB causes brain cell differentiation, stimulates neural regeneration and inhibits tumor cell proliferation. GMFB overexpression in astrocytes results in the increase of BDNF production. GMFB expression is increased by exercise, thus BDNF is important for exercise-induction of BDNF.

RHOQ (rho-related GTP-binding protein RhoQ) is a small signaling G protein which cycles between an active GTP-bound and an inactive GDP-bound state. In the active state it binds to a diversity of effector proteins to regulate cellular responses. Ras-like protein belongs to the Rac subfamily of the Rho family of GTPases. RHOQ is involved in epithelial cell polarization processes. In addition, RHOQ plays a role in CFTR trafficking to the plasma membrane. RHOQ causes the formation of thin, actin-rich surface projections called filopodia.

SUMO1 is a protein that belongs to the SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) protein family. SUMO1 functions in a manner similar to ubiquitin in that it is bound to target proteins as part of a post-translational modification system. Still, unlike ubiquitin which targets proteins for degradation, SUMO1 is involved in a variety of cellular processes, for example nuclear transport, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, and protein stability. SUMO1 is not active until the last four amino acids of the carboxy-terminus are cleaved off.

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.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that was previously called GRO1 oncogene, Neutrophil-activating protein 3 (NAP-3) and melanoma growth stimulating activity, alpha (MSGA-a). It is secreted by human melanoma cells, has mitogenic properties and is implicated in melanoma pathogenesis. CXCL1 is expressed by macrophages, neutrophils and epithelial cells, and has neutrophil chemoattractant activity. CXCL1 plays a role in spinal cord development by inhibiting the migration of oligodendrocyte precursors and is involved in the processes of angiogenesis, inflammation, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. This chemokine elicits its effects by signaling through the chemokine receptor CXCR2. The gene for CXCL1 is located on human chromosome 4 amongst genes for other CXC chemokines.

Calnexin (CANX) belongs to the calnexin family of molecular chaperones. Calnexin is a calcium-binding, ER-associated protein that interacts briefly with newly synthesized N-linked glycoproteins, facilitating protein folding and assembly. Calnexin may also have a key role in the quality control of protein folding by retaining incorrectly folded protein subunits within the ER for degradation. Calnexin grants long-term protection of wild-type Shaker protein from ER-associated degradation. Polypeptide substrate recognition by Calnexin requires specific conformations of the Calnexin protein. Calnexin dwindles with aging and might contribute to a cytoprotection in an array of human age-related diseases.

Phosphomevalonate kinase (PMVK) is a cytosolic enzyme. PMVK is expressed highly in the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas and slightly lower in the brain, placenta, and lung. PMVK catalyzes the conversion of mevalonate 5-phosphate into mevalonate 5-diphosphate in the fifth reaction of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Induced by sterol, PMVK participates in isopentenyl diphosphate biosynthesis via the mevalonate pathway.

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.

Apolipoprotein-D is mainly associated with high density lipoproteins in human plasma. Apolipoprotein-D is an atypical apolipoprotein and, based on its primary structure, Apolipoprotein-D is a member of the lipocalin family. Lipocalins adopt a beta-barrel tertiary structure and transport small hydrophobic ligands. Apolipoprotein-D binds cholesterol, progesterone, pregnenolone, bilirubin and arachidonic acid.
Apolipoprotein-D is expressed in numerous tissues having high levels of expression in spleen, testes and brain. Apolipoprotein-D is present at high concentrations in the cyst fluid of women with gross cystic disease of the breast, a condition associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Apolipoprotein-D accumulates in regenerating peripheral nerves and in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease. Apolipoprotein-D participates in maintenance and repair within the central and peripheral nervous systems. Apolipoprotein-D is a multi-ligand, multi-functional transporter and transports a ligand from 1 cell to another within an organ, scavenge a ligand within an organ for transport to the blood or could transport a ligand from the circulation to specific cells within a tissue.

Betaine-Homocysteine Methyltransferase 2 (BHMT2) is involved in the regulation of homocysteine metabolism. Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid which has a key role in methylation reactions. Transfer of the methyl group from betaine to homocysteine generates methionine, which donates the methyl group to methylate DNA, proteins, lipids, and other intracellular metabolites. BHMT2 is one of two methyl transferases which can catalyze the transfer of the methyl group from betaine to homocysteine. BHMT2 converts homocysteine to methionine using S-methylmethionine (SMM) as a methyl donor. Homocysteine metabolism anomalies are implicated in disorders varying from vascular disease to neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida.

TIMP2 belongs to the TIMP gene family. The proteins encoded by this gene family are natural inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases, a group of peptidases that take part in degradation of the extracellular matrix. Besides having an inhibitory role against metalloproteinases, the encoded protein has a exclusive part among TIMPfamily members in its capability to directly suppress the proliferation of endothelial cells. Consequently, the encoded protein is crucial to the conservation of tissue homeostasis by suppressing the production of quiescent tissues as an answer to angiogenic factors, and by inhibiting protease activity in tissues undergoing renovation of the extracellular matrix.

Thrombopoietin is a glycoprotein hormone produced mainly by the liver and the kidney that regulates the production of platelets by the bone marrow. It stimulates the production and differentiation of megakaryocytes, the bone marrow cells that fragment into large numbers of platelets.