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A 16kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

Collagen, a major component of the extracellular matrix, is a fibrous protein that provides tensile strength to tissues giving them structural integrity. Collagen and its derivative, gelatin, have been widely used in medical, pharmaceutical and consumer products for more than 100 years. The supply of these materials, created from animal remains, is both abundant and inexpensive. However, most formulations are not highly purified and have the potential to cause an inflammatory reaction in some product users. In addition, concerns have been raised over the last several years about the potential for contamination of bovine products with the agent that causes mad cow disease and its human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Animal collagens are subject to extensive modifications that continue over the life of the molecule in the extracellular space. These differences influence both the extractability of collagens from tissue and the biophysical characteristics of these collagens. As a result, collagens isolated from tissues exhibit significant lot-to-lot variability and, as bulk materials, are often analytically intractable. Products that contain animal-derived collagen can induce potentially harmful inflammatory or immune responses in humans and pose risk of contamination with viruses or prions, potentially life-threatening pathogens. Recombinant collagens are essentially identical to the native collagen protein thereby reducing the risk of inflammation, immune response, and disease as compared to animal-sourced collagen.

MYC Induced Nuclear Antigen, also known as MINA is an oxygenase which can function both as a histone lysine demethylase and a ribosomal histidine hydroxylase. MINA is involved in the demethylation of trimethylated Lys-9 on histone H3 (H3K9me3), leading to an increase in ribosomal RNA expression. MINA also catalyzes the hydroxylation of 60S ribosomal protein L27a on His-39. In addition, MINA plays a significant role in cell growth and survival. MINA is implicated in ribosome biogenesis, probably in the duration of the assembly process of pre-ribosomal particles.

DNAJC15 which is expressed ubiquitously and located on the membrane contains 1 J domain. In many advanced cases of ovarian adenocarcinoma DNAJC15 is absent or down-regulated, due to hypermethylation and allelic loss. Loss of expression correlates with increased resistance to antineoplastic drugs, such as cisplatin. DNAJC15is a crucial component of the TIM23 translocase complex and stimulates the ATPase activity of HSPA9.

Synaptotagmin-4 (SYT4) is a part of the synaptotagmin proteins family. Synaptotagmins are a large gene family of synaptic vesicle type III integral membrane proteins that operate as regulators of both exocytosis and endocytosis and are involved in neurotransmitter secretion from small secretory vesicles. SYT4 is expressed in neuronal tissues, and has the highest mRNA levels in the hippocampus. The proximity of the SYT4 gene to markers of several psychiatric disorders implies an involvement of SYT4 in human disease such as pheochromocytoma, and parkinson's disease.

Kidney associated antigen 1 (KAAG1) is expressed in testis and kidney, and, at lower levels, in urinary bladder and liver. KAAG1 is expressed by numerous tumors of various histologic origin, including melanomas, sarcomas and colorectal carcinomas.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is derived from the transcription product of the proglucagon gene. The major source of GLP-1 in the body is the intestinal L cell that secretes GLP-1 as a guthormone. The biologically active forms of GLP-1 are: GLP-1-(7-37) and GLP-1-(7-36)NH2.
GLP-1 secretion by L cells is dependent on the presence of nutrients in the lumen of the small intestine. The secretagogues (agents that causes or stimulates secretion) of this hormone include major nutrients like carbohydrate, proteinand lipid. Once in the circulation, GLP-1 has a half life of less than 2 minutes, due to rapid degradation by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4.
GLP-1 possesses several physiological properties that make it a subject of intensive investigation as a potential treatment of diabetes mellitus. The known physiological functions of GLP-1 include: Increases insulin secretion from the pancreas in a glucose-dependent manner, decreases glucagon secretion from the pancreas, increases beta cells mass and insulin gene expression, inhibits acid secretion and gastric emptying in the stomach, decreases food intake by increasing satiety.

Tetratricopeptide repeat protein 33 (TTC33) is comprised of 3 TPR repeats.

Leptin takes an important part in the regulation of energy balance and body weight control.After entering the circulation, Leptin binds LEPRwhich results in the activation of several major signalling pathways. In the hypothalamus Leptin acts as an appetite-regulating factor that induces a decrease in food intake and an increase in energy consumption and also regulates bone mass and secretion of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal hormones. In the periphery, increases basal metabolism, regulates pancreatic beta-cell function and insulin secretion and affects innate and adaptive immunity.

Proteasome subunit alpha type-5 (PSMA5) is a member of the peptidase T1A family. The proteasome is a multicatalytic proteinase complex which is distinguished by its ability to cleave peptides with Arg, Phe, Tyr, Leu, and Glu adjacent to the leaving group at neutral or slightly basic pH. Proteasomes are spread throughout eukaryotic cells at a high concentration and cleave peptides in an ATP/ubiquitin-dependent process in a non-lysosomal pathway. PSMA5 interacts with PLK1. The PSMA5 peptidase has a very wide-ranging specificity for cleavage of peptide bonds.

Thioredoxin or TRX contains a single disulfide active site and serves as a general protein disulphide oxidoreductase.Thioredoxins are small disulphide-containing redox proteins (within the conserved Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys active site) that are found in all the kingdoms of living organisms. The proteinis involved in the first unique step in DNA synthesis; It interacts with a wide range of proteins by a redox mechanism based on reversible oxidation of two cysteine thiol groups to a disulphide, along with the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The net result is the covalent interconversion of a disulphide and a dithiol. It has been suggested that thioredoxin may catalyze the formation of correct disulfides during protein folding because of its ability to act as an efficient oxidoreductant.

SPIN1 is a member of the SPIN/STSY family. SPIN1 is localized to nucleus, and expressed in several tissues and cells. SPIN1 takes part in cell-cycle regulation in the course of the transition from gamete to embryo.

BUD31 is a member of the BUD31 (G10) family. BUD31 is a nuclear protein which contains a putative nuclear translocation sequence, an N-terminal acidic domain and a cysteine-rich C-terminal domain containing a putative Zinc-finger structure. Based on the structure of BUD31 it is suggested that BUD31 might be a nuclear regulator of transcription.

JAM3 belongs to the junctional adhesion molecule protein family and functions as a receptor for another member of this family. JAM3 plays a part in cell-cell adhesion. The soluble form of JAM3 is a mediator of angiogenesis. JAM3 is a counter-receptor for ITGAM, mediating leukocyte-platelet interactions and is involved in the regulation of transepithelial migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). A mutation in an intron of the JAM3 gene is linked with hemorrhagic destruction of the brain, subependymal calcification, and congenital cataracts.

Synaptobrevin 2 which is an 18 kDa integral membrane protein localized to the cytoplasmic surface of synaptic vesicle, consists of a proline-rich N-terminal region, a highly conserved hydrophilic domain, followed by a transmembrane anchor and a C-terminal. Synaptobrevin 2 is predominantly expressed in Langerhans islets and glomerular cells. The N-terminal domain of the protein (residues 1-89) forms a specific SNARE complex with the target membrane-associated t- or Q-SNAREs syntaxin 1 and SNAP-25.

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.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. 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/ macrophagemigration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ).VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesisand cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.Elevated levels of this protein are linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

V-Set Domain Containing T Cell Activation Inhibitor 1, also known as VCTN1, is part of the B7 costimulatory protein family. Proteins in this family are located on the surface of antigen-presenting cells and interact with ligand bound to receptors on the surface of T cells. High level of the encoded protein has been associated with tumor progression. VCTN1 also takes part in promoting epithelial cell transformation.

Von Willebrand Factor A Domain Containing 2 (VWA2) is an extracellular matrix protein containing vWA-like domains. VWA2 contains a signal peptide sequence, an N-terminal VWA domain connected to 2 additional tandem vWA domains by a cysteine-rich sequence and an EGF-like domain. Also, another EGF-like domain is located at the C-terminus. Expression of VWA2 is induced in stage II, III and IV colon cancers and colon adenomas and is considered a novel serum marker for the diagnosis of early-stage colon cancer.

The Recombinant Protein L is comprised of 5 kappa-binding domains. Protein L has the exceptional ability to bind through kappa light chain interactions without hindering with the antibody’s antigen-binding site. This gives Protein L the capacity to bind a broader range of Ig classes and subclasses than other antibody-binding proteins. The recombinant Protein L is perfect for purification of polyclonal or monoclonal IgG antibodies. Protein L binds to IgG from humans, mice, rats and pigs.

Prorelaxin H2 (RLN2) is a member of the insulin gene superfamily. This family which is produced by the ovary, targets the mammalian reproductive system to ripen the cervix, elongate the pubic symphysis and inhibit uterine contraction. It may also have other roles in boosting sperm motility, regulating blood pressure, controlling heart rate and releasing oxytocin and vasopressin. RLN2 is a peptide hormone linked to several therapeutically relevant physiological effects, including regulation of collagen metabolism and multiple vascular control pathways. The active form of the RLN2 protein consists of an A chain and a B chain linked by disulfide bonds.

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