Search results

Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase-like 3 (PPIL3) belongs to the cyclophilin family which catalyzes the cis-trans isomerization of peptidylprolyl imide bonds in oligopeptides. PPIL3 acts either as catalyst or as molecular chaperone in protein-folding events.

NT3 a member of the neurotrophin family, that controls survival and differentiation of mammalian neurons. This protein is closely related to both nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. It may be involved in the maintenance of the adult nervous system, and may affect development of neurons in the embryo when it is expressed in human placenta. NTF3-deficient mice generated by gene targeting display severe movement defects of the limbs. The mature peptide of this protein is identical in all mammals examined including human, pig, rat and mouse.

Sialidase 1 (NEU1) is a lysosomal enzyme which cleaves terminal sialic acid residues from substrates such as glycoproteins and glycolipids. In the lysosome, the NEU1 enzyme is part of a heterotrimeric complex in cooperation with beta-galactosidase and cathepsin A. NEU1 gene mutations may lead to sialidosis, a lysosomal storage disease that can be the type 1 (cherry red -myoclonus syndrome or normosomatic type), which is late-onset, or the type 2 (the dysmorphic type), which takes place at an earlier age with increased acuteness.

ANXA5 is a member of the annexin family of calcium-dependent phospholipid binding proteins which are involved in membrane-related activity along exocytotic and endocytotic pathways. ANXA5 is a phospholipase A2 and protein kinase C inhibitory protein with calcium channel properties and takes part in cellular signal transduction, inflammation, growth and differentiation. ANXA5 is an anticoagulant protein that acts as an indirect inhibitor of the thromboplastin-specific complex, which is involved in the blood coagulation cascade. ANXA5 regulates coagulability in the blood stream by binding to phosphatidylserine and sulfatide. ANXA5 protects sinsuoidal endothelial cells from ischemia reperfusion damage. ANXA5 is necessary for normal CFTR chloride channel activity.

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.

N-acetylneuraminate lyase (NPL) is an enzyme which catalyzes the chemical reaction (N-acetylneuraminate ->N-acetyl-D-mannosamine + pyruvate). NPL is a member of a family of lyases, specifically the oxo-acid-lyases, which cleave carbon-carbon bonds. NPL participates in amino sugars metabolism.

GFP is an intermediate filament. GFP and vimentin are linked to the same filament network; they are localized in the same filaments.
mRNAs encoding the glial intermediate filament protein are spatially dispersed in the glial cell cytoplasm close to the location of the glial filaments.

VAMP3 is present in recycling endosomes and endosome-derived vesicles. VAMP3 has been implicated in recycling of transferrin receptors to the plasma membrane, secretion of alpha-granules in platelets, recycling of T-cell receptors to the immunological synapses, and membrane trafficking during cell migration. VAMP-3 is present in human platelets and necessary for granule secretion. Synaptobrevins are the main components of a protein complex involved in the docking and/or fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. VAMP3 high homology to other VAMPs in its broad tissue distribution and subcellular localization is shown to be the human equivalent of the rodent cellubrevin. In platelets the protein resides on a compartment that is not mobilized to the plasma membrane on calcium or thrombin stimulation.

Persephin is a member of the GDNF ligand subfamily of the TGF-beta superfamily. PSPN encourages the existence and growth of key dopaminergic and motor neurons, as well as taking part in kidney development. Nonetheless, persephin does not support existence of peripheral neurons.

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.

Flagellin FliA (H), also known as RNA polymerase sigma factor for flagellar operon, Sigma F and Sigma-28, is a part of the FliA subfamily or sigma-70 factor family. This sigma factor controls the expression of flagella-related genes. Flagellin FliA (H) regulates the expression of genes involved in virulence. Flagellin FliA (H) is an initiation factors which endorses the attachment of RNA polymerase to specific initiation sites and are then released.

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.

SNAPIN is involved in the neurotransmitter release process through its modulation of the sequential interactions between the SNAREs and synaptotagmin. SNAPIN is part of the SNARE complex of proteins that is needed for synaptic vesicle docking and fusion. SNAPAP is enriched in neurons and exclusively located on synaptic vesicle membrane protein. SNAPIN is also an important factor of the BLOC1 multisubunit protein complex. BLOC1 is required for normal biogenesis of specialized organelles of the endosomal-lysosomal system, such as melanosomes and platelet dense granules.

Neurotensin (NTS) is a common precursor for 2 peptides, neuromedin N and neurotensin. Neurotensin is a secreted tridecapeptide, which is generally distributed throughout the central nervous system, and may serve as a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator. NTS is involved in the maintenance of gut structure and function, and in the regulation of fat metabolism. Tissue-specific processing may initiate the formation in some tissues of larger forms of neuromedin N and neurotensin. The large forms may embody more stable peptides which are also biologically active.

NFKB inhibitor interacting Ras-like 2 (NKIRAS2) is an inhibitor of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. NKIRAS2 is similar to the Ras-like small GTPases which associate with IkappaB. The Ras-like proteins- NKIRAS1 and NKIRAS2, interact with the PEST domains of I?B? and I?B? and reduce their rate of degradation. NKIRAS2 is an atypical Ras-like protein which functions as a potent regulator of NF-kappa-B activity by preventing the degradation of NF-kappa-B inhibitor beta (NFKBIB) by most signals, explaining why NFKBIB is more impervious to degradation.

P-Selectin also called Platelet Alpha-Granule Membrane Protein, CD62, and Granulocyte Membrane Protein GRMP belongs to a family of divalent cation-dependent carbohydrate-binding glycoproteins or adhesion molecules. Pselectin is expressed transiently on the surface of activated platelets and endothelial cells. P-Selectin is a 140 kDa protein which is stored in the alpha-granules of platelets and Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells. Secreted P-selectin is thought to play a key role in the adhesion of platelets to monocytes and neutrophils during an inflammatory response. P-Selectin is a calcium-dependent receptor that binds to sialylated forms of Lewis blood group carbohydrate antigens on neutrophils and monocytes. Levels of P-Selectin may be elevated in a number of pathological conditions.

Borrelia belongs to a genus of bacteria of the spirochete phylum. Borrelia causes borreliosis, which is a zoonotic, vector-borne disease transmitted mainly by ticks and some by lice, depending on the species. Of the 36 known species of Borrelia, 12 are distinguished to cause Lyme disease or borreliosis and are transmitted by ticks. The main Borrelia species causing Lyme disease are Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia garinii. The Borrelia genus members have a linear chromosome which is about 900 kbp in length as well as an excess of both linear and circular plasmids in the 5-220 kbp size range. The plasmids are atypical, as compared to most bacterial plasmids, since they contain many paralogous sequences, a large number of pseudogenes and, in some cases, essential genes. Moreover, a number of the plasmids have features suggesting that they are prophages.

Fractalkine soluble form is chemotactic for t-cells and monocytes, but not for neutrophils. Fractalkine membrane-bound form promotes adhesion of those leukocytes to endothelial cells. Fractalkine regulates leukocyte adhesion and migration processes at the endothelium and binds to CX3CR1. Natural Human Fractalkine is produced as a long protein (373-amino acid) with an extended mucin-like stalk and a chemokine domain on top. The mucin-like stalk permits it to bind to the cell surface. Fractalkine gene is located on human chromosome 16 along with some CC chemokines known as CCL17 and CCL22.

Glypican 4, also known as GPC4, is part of a family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs) which take part in the control of cell division and growth regulation. GPC4 is broadly expressed in human tissues, including lung, kidney, heart, placenta, skeletal muscle, and pancreas. In addition, GPC4 has been shown to be present in astrocytes, haematopoietic-progenitor and bone-marrow-stromal cells.

SERPINI1 (Neuroserpin) is an inhibitory serpin which is expressed primarily in the central nervous system. Even though the physiological target of SERPINI1 is still vague, amassed evidence suggest that SERPINI1 has an imperative role in controlling proteolytic degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) during synaptogenesis and the subsequent development of neuronal plasticity. The neuroprotective role of SERPINI1 has been demonstrated in transgenic mice lacking SERPINI1 expression. The deficiency of SERPINI1 in these mice is linked with motor neuron disease characterized by axonal degradation. In humans, defects in SERPINI1, caused by point mutations in the neuroserpin gene, trigger a hereditary disorder known as the familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB).

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.

OTOR proteins is also known as fibrocyte-derived protein (Fdp) and Melanoma inhibitory activity-like (MIAL). Otoraplin is a member of the melanoma-inhibiting activity gene family. Otoraplin is a secreted 16 kDa globular protein that is expressed in the inner ear by periotic mesenchyme and developing and mature fibrocytes. OTOR is highly homologous to MIA/cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein (CD-RAP), which is a cartilage-specific protein that is also expressed in malignant melanoma cells. The 111 amino acid mature human otoraplin contains 1 SH3 domain (46 – 107 amino acids) and a Tyr at position 50 that is reportedly sulfated. Otoraplin takes pasrt in the initiation of periotic mesenchyme chondrogenesis.
Otoraplin is secreted through the Golgi apparatus and plays a role in cartilage development and maintenance. A frequent polymorphism in the translation start codon of OTOR can abolish translation and may be associated with forms of deafness.

Cholinergic Receptor Nicotinic Alpha 3, also known as CHRNA3 is part of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor family. Proteins of this family form pentameric complexes comprised of both alpha & beta subunits. Furthermore, CHRNA3 is ligand-gated ions channel which prticipates in neurotransmission. CHRNA3 has been associated with an increased risk of smoking initiation as well as an increased susceptibility to lung cancer.

Growth/differentiation factors (GDF1-GDF15) belong to the BMP family of TGF-beta superfamily proteins. These factors are produced as inactive preproproteins which are subsequently cleaved and assembled into active secreted homodimers. BMP13 is a growth factor which controls proliferation and cellular differentiation in the retina and bone formation. BMP13 has a central role in regulating apoptosis during retinal development. GDF proteins are vital during embryonic development, particularly in the skeletal, nervous, and muscular systems. BMP13 gene mutations result in colobomata, which are congenital abnormalities in ocular development, and in Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS), which is a congenital disorder of spinal segmentation.