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a-Synuclein (amino acids 1-140), an acidic neuronal protein of 140 amino acids, is extremely heat-resistant and is natively unfolded with an extended structure primarily composed of random coils. a-synuclein has been suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, and more recently, to be an important regulatory component of vesicular transport in neuronal cells. Moreover, recent studies have shown that a-synuclein has chaperone activity and that this activity is lost upon removing its C-terminal acidic tail (amino acids 96-140).

NudE Neurodevelopment Protein 1-Like 1 also known as NDEL1 is a coiled-coil protein which participates in multiple processes as well as cytoskeletalorganization, cell signaling and neuron migration, outgrowth and maintenance. Alternatively spliced transcriptvariants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for NDEL1, and a pseudogene of this gene is placed onthe long arm of chromosome X. One of the diseases associated with NDEL1 is iridocyclitis.

CHGB is a neuroendocrine secretory granule protein, that is the precursor for other biologically active peptides. CHGB is part of the chromogranin/secretogranin protein family and is expressed in the adrenal medulla, and in pheochromocytoma.

Nuclear Apoptosis Inducing Factor 1 (NAIF1) is a part of the NAIF1 family. NAIF1 Interacts with HARBI1 and Induces apoptosis.

The secreted polypeptide noggin, 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 have a principal role in creating morphogenic gradients. Noggin appears to have pleiotropic effect, both early in development as well as in later stages. It 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. Recently, several dominant human NOG mutations in unrelated families with proximal symphalangism (SYM1) and multiple synostoses syndrome (SYNS1) were identified; both SYM1 and SYNS1 have multiple joint fusion as their principal feature, and map to the same region (17q22) as NOG. 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.

Streptavidin is a tetrameric protein secreted by Streptomyces avidinii which binds firmly to biotin. Streptavidin is widely used in molecular biology through its unique high affinity for the vitamin biotin. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the biotin-streptavidin complex is about ~10-15 mol/L. The strong affinity recognition of biotin and biotinylated molecules has made streptavidin one of the most important components in diagnostics and laboratory kits. The streptavidin/biotin system has one of the biggest free energies of association of yet observed for noncovalent binding of a protein and small ligand in aqueous solution (K_assoc = 10**14). The complexes are also extremely stable over a wide range of temperature and pH.

MMADHC is a mitochondrial protein which takes part in an early step of vitamin B1 2 metabolism. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is vital for regular development and existence in humans. Mutations in MMADHC can result in methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria type cblD, a cobalamin metabolism syndrome which is characterized by decreased levels of the coenzymes methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin.

NCS1 is part of the neuronal calcium sensor gene family, which encode calcium-binding proteins expressed primarily in neurons. NCS1 regulates G protein-coupled receptor phosphorylation in a calcium-dependent manner and can substitute for calmodulin. NCS1 is related with secretory granules and modulates synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. NCS1 regulates GRK1 and substitutes for calmodulin. NCS1 stimulates PI4KB kinase activity and participates in long-term synaptic plasticity through its interaction with PICK1. NCS1 takes part in neuron differentiation through inhibition of the activity of N-type voltage-gated calcium channel.

Gamma-SNAP (NAPG) is a cytoplasmic protein which binds to a membrane receptor complex composed of VAMP, SNAP25 and syntaxin. NAPG mediates the membrane binding of NSF, which is crucial for membrane fusion reactions. NSF and SNAPs seem to be general components of the intracellular membrane fusion system, and their action at specific sites of fusion needs be controlled by SNAP receptors specific to the membranes being fused. NAPG mediates platelet exocytosis and controls the membrane fusion events of this process.

Amyloid beta A4 protein (APP) functions as a cell surface receptor and transmembrane precursor protein which is cleaved by secretases to form a number of peptides. A number of these peptides are secreted and can bind to the acetyltransferase complex APBB1/TIP60 to stimulate transcriptional activation, whereas others form the protein basis of the amyloid plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease. APP gene mutations are implicated in autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease and cerebroarterial amyloidosis (cerebral amyloid angiopathy).

NRTN belongs to the GDNF family of ligands, a distant member of the TGF-beta superfamily. NRTN, a ligand used to bind to GFRA2 receptors, signals through RET and a GPI-linked coreceptor, and promotes endurance of neuronal populations, controls the size of non-neuronal cell population such as haemopoietic cells and regulate the development and maintenance of the CNS. Mutation in NRTN results in Hirschsprung Disease.

NSL1 holds two coiled-coil domains.NSL1 proteins, localized to kinetochores - chromosome associated structures which attach to microtubules and mediate chromosome movements throughout cell division. NSL1 is a fragment of a conserved protein complex that hold two chromodomain-containing proteins and a component of the outer plate of the kinetochore. NSL1 connect centromeric heterochromatin with the outer kinetochore structure. Several transcript variants are known to encod different isoforms for this gene.

Prepronociceptin (PNOC) is the ligand of the opioid receptor-like receptor (OPRL1). PNOC functions as a transmitter in the brain by modulating nociceptive and locomotor behavior. The PNOC protein may also be involved in neuronal differentiation and development.

Leucine Rich Repeat And Ig Domain Containing 1, also known as Lingo1 is primarily expressed in neuronal tissue, and most abundantly in the cortex. In addition, Lingo 1 is involved in the inhibition of axon regeneration all the way through a ternary complex formed with NgR1 (ligand-binding subunit) and p75 (signal transducing subunit). The inhibitory action is accomplished through RhoA-GTP upregulation in response to the presence of MOG, MAG or Nogo-66 in the central nervous system. Furthermore, LINGO-1 inhibits oligodendrocyte precursor differentiation as well as myelination, by a mechanism which also involves activation of RhoA, however it appears that it does not require 75 or NgR1.

MANF is a 20kDa protein which belongs to the ARMET family. MANF was originally known as an arginine-rich region protein which was extremely mutated in a large number of tumors. MANF Expression is induced during ER stress, signifying that MANF takes part in protein quality control during ER stress.

HAND1 is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors. HAND1 is one of two HAND proteins, two closely related family members that are irregularly expressed in the emerging ventricular chambers and have a key part in cardiac morphogenesis. Operating in a complementary manner, they work in the development of the right ventricle and aortic arch arteries, implicating them as mediators of congenital heart disease. Furthermore, HAND1 is obligatory for early trophoblast differentiation.

L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule (L1CAM) which is a cell adhesion receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily takes part in nerve cell function. L1CAM is a neural cell adhesion molecule involved in the dynamics of cell adhesion and in the generation of transmembrane signals at tyrosine kinase receptors. L1CAM takes part in cell migration, neurite outgrowth and myelination. Furthermore, L1CAM plays an important role in the dynamics of neuronal structure and function in the mature brain.

ETHE1 is a mitochondrial sulfur dioxygenase involved in catabolism of sulfide that accumulates to toxic levels in ethylmalonic encephalopathy. Mutations of ETHE1 were detected in all the typical ethylmalonic encephalopathy patients analysed, but no ETHE1 mutations were identified in patients presenting with early onset progressive encephalopathy with ethylmalonic aciduria.

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 that have been identified in mammals. The 14-3-3gamma, a subtype of the 14-3-3 family of proteins, was thought to be brain and neuron-specific. It has been shown to interact with RAF1 and protein kinase C, proteins involved in various signal transduction pathways.

NCK1 is an adapter protein which binds with tyrosine-phosphorylated growth factor receptors or their cellular substrates. NCK1 maintains low levels of EIF2S1 phosphorylation by promoting its dephosphorylation by PP1. NCK1 is involved in the DNA damage response, for efficient activation of downstream effectors, such as that of CHEK2. NCK1 is one of the signaling and transforming proteins containing Src homology 2 and 3 (SH2 and SH3) domains. NCK1 is located in the cytoplasm and is an adaptor protein that participates in transducing signals from receptor tyrosine kinases to downstream signal recipients such as RAS.

g-synuclein(Originally known as a breast cancer specific gene product, BCSG1) is an acidic neuronal protein of 127 amino acids. Gamma-Synuclein is a member of the Synuclein protein family, which is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. High levels of Gamma-Synuclein have been found in advanced breast carcinomas suggesting a correlation between overexpression of SNCG and breast tumor development. Synuclein-Gamma is found mostly in the peripheral nervous system (in primary sensory neurons, sympathetic neurons, and motor neurons) and retina. SNCG is also identified in the brain, ovarian tumors, and in the olfactory epithelium. SNCG expression in breast tumors is a marker for tumor progression. A modification in the expression of gamma-synuclein has been detected in the retina of Alzheimer's patients.

Neuronal Regeneration Related Protein (NREP) has roles in neural function. NREP promotes axonal regeneration. In addition, NREP has functions in cellular differentiation. NREP protein induces differentiation of fibroblast into myofibroblast and increases retinoic-acid regulation of lipid-droplet biogenesis. NREP down-regulates the expression of TGFB1 and TGFB2 but not of TGFB3. NREP has a role in the regulation of alveolar generation.

Non muscle Myosins are required for cytokinesis at the end of cell division, when a contractile ring near the plasmalemma divides the cytoplasm of the daughter cells. They are involved in cytoplasmic streaming movements in tissues, and especially in activation of motile cells such as fibroblasts and macrophages. Activation of non-muscle myosin-II is achieved by phosphorylation of Ser33 in the motif KKRPQRATSN by a dedicated, Ca +2 Calmodulin regulated light chain kinase (MLCK).

NTAL participates in FCER1 (high affinity immunoglobulin epsilon receptor)-mediated signaling in mast cells. NTAL takes part in BCR (B-cell antigen receptor)-mediated signaling in B-cells and FCGR1 (high affinity immunoglobulin gamma Fc receptor I)-mediated signaling in myeloid cells. Couples activation of these receptors and their associated kinases with distal intracellular events through the recruitment of GRB2.