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IL4 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by activated T cells. IL4 is a ligand for interleukin 4 receptor. The interleukin 4 receptor also binds to IL13, which may contribute to many overlapping functions of this cytokine and IL13. STAT6, a signal transducer and activator of transcription, has been shown to play a central role in mediating the immune regulatory signal of this cytokine. This gene, IL3, IL5, IL13, and CSF2 form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5q, with this gene particularly close to IL13. IL4, IL13 and IL5 are found to be regulated coordinately by several long-range regulatory elements in an over 120 kilobase range on the chromosome. Two alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encoding distinct isoforms have been reported.

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that acts as a growth and differentiation factor for both B cells and eosinophils. This cytokine is a main regulator of eosinopoiesis, eosinophil maturation and activation. The elevated production of this cytokine is reported to be related to asthma or hypereosinophilic syndromes. The receptor of this cytokine is a heterodimer, whose beta subunit is shared with the receptors for interleukine 3 (IL3) and colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2/GM-CSF). This gene, together with those for interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 13 (IL13), and CSF2, form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5. This cytokine, IL4, and IL13 are found to be regulated coordinately by long-range regulatory elements spread over 120 kilobases on chromosome 5q31.

Btc is a potent mitogen for retinal pigment epithelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. The effects of betacellulin are probably mediated by the egf receptor and other related receptors.

IRF1, IFN regulatory factor 1, is a member of the IFN regulatory transcription factor (IRF) family which regulates gene expression critical to immune response, hematopoiesis and proliferation. IRF-1 is a transcriptional activator for IFN-A, IFN-B, and IFN-G stimulated genes. IRF1 is also a tumor suppressor transcription factor inducing apoptosis of tumorigenic cell lines.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor also called LIF is a lymphoid factor that promotes long-term maintenance of embryonic stem cells by suppressing spontaneous differentiation. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor has several functions such as cholinergic neuron differentiation, control of stem cell pluripotency, bone & fat metabolism, mitogenesis of factor dependent cell lines & promotion of megakaryocyte production in vivo. Human and mouse LIF exhibit a 78% identity in its amino acid sequence.

IL17 is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by activated T cells. IL-17 regulates the activities of NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Interleukin-17 can stimulate the expression of IL6 and cyclooxygenase-2 (PTGS2/COX-2), as well as enhance the production of nitric oxide (NO). High levels of IL-17 are associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.

Interleukin-21 isoform 1 or IL21, categorized as a T helper cytokine. IL21 is part of the regulation of immune responses, haematopoiesis and cell-mediated responses. IL21 has a key role in haematopoiesis and immune responses regulation, therefore can affect lymphocyte development. Activation of T cells leads to production of the IL21. The protein has a crucial role in the viral infections persistence.

Prolactin is a lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis .Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation.Prolactin has been shown also to have cytokine-like activities and to have important immunoregulatory activities. It contributes to the development of lymphoid tissues and the maintenance of physiological immune function and also modulates a variety of T-cell immune responses. Prolactin has been reported to activate cellular proliferation in nonreproductive tissue, such as liver, spleen, and thymus. It induces significant proliferation in aortic smooth muscle cells and also enhances proliferation of these cells induced by PDGF . Prolactin also appears to be directly mitogenic for pancreatic beta cells. Prolactin is also mitogenic for cultured astrocytes.

Thymopentin, also known as TP-5, is a synthetic pentapeptide which is the active site of the naturally occurring hormone thymopoietin with immunomodulating properties (corresponding to the amino acids 32-36 of thymopoietin). Thymopentin enhances the production of thymic T cells and may help restore immunocompetence in immunosuppressed subjects. This agent also augments the effects of ionizing radiation by arresting cancer cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle.

This gene is a member of the EPO/TPO family and encodes a secreted, glycosylated cytokine composed of four alpha helical bundles. The protein is found in the plasma and regulates red cell production by promoting erythroid differentiation and initiating hemoglobin synthesis. This protein also has neuroprotective activity against a variety of potential brain injuries and antiapoptotic functions in several tissue types.

Galectin-4 is a member of the subfamily of galectins composed of two carbohydrate recognition domains having similar peptide chains. The galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins having a role in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, which inhibits chronic inflammations, GVHD, and allergic responses. LGALS4 expression is limited to small intestine, colon, and rectum, and it is underexpressed in colorectal cancer. LGALS4 binds as an endogenous ligand to glycosphingolipids having 3-O-sulfated Gal residues and bind as well to cholesterol-3-sulfate. LGALS4 takes part in cell adhesion. LGALS4 plays a role in crosslinking the lateral cell membranes of the surface-lining epithelial cells, thus supporting epithelial integrity against mechanical stress exerted by the bowel lume. LGALS4 is in charge of intestinal inflammation via selective regulation of peripheral and mucosal T-cell cell cycle, in addition to cell death by apoptosis of T-cells by a pathway independent of the activation of caspases. LGALS4 blockade decreases TNF-alpha inhibitor induced T-cell death. LGALS4 decreases pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion including IL-6 & IL-17.

IL-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine that stimulates the production of IFNgamma from T-cells and natural killer cells, and also induces differentiation of Th1 helper cells. It is an initiator of cell-mediated immunity.

Adiponectin is a recently discovered 244 amino acid protein, the product of the apM1 gene, which is physiologically active and specifically and highly expressed in adipose cells (Adipokine). The protein belongs to the soluble defense collagen super family; it has a collagen-like domain structurally homologous with collagen VIII and X and complement factor C1q-like globular domain. APM-1 forms homotrimers, which are the building blocks for higher order complexes found circulating in serum.

S100G (calbindin D9K) is a vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein. S100G, which is a cytosolic protein, is a member of a family of calcium-binding proteins that includes calmodulin, parvalbumin, troponin C, and S100 protein. In the intestine, S100G is vitamin D-dependent and its expression correlates with calcium transport activity. S100G may increase Ca2+ absorption by buffering Ca2+ in the cytoplasm and increase ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in duodenal basolateral membrane vesicles.

Decorin (DCN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which is closely related in structure to biglycan protein. Decorin is a secreted protein which binds to collagen and fibronectin in extracellular matrix. Decorin appears in different glycoforms, substituted with chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate consistent with the original tissue. DCN contains one attached glycosaminoglycan chain. Decorin influences the rate of fibril formation. Decorin is capable of suppressing the growth of various tumor cell lines. DCN gene defects cause corneal dystrophy. The DCN gene is a candidate gene for Marfan syndrome.

Alpha 1-microglobulin (A1M) is a lipocalin superfamily member (kernal lipocalins). A1M is a low molecular weight protein component of plasma. A1M is distributed in plasma and extravascular compartments of all organs. Alpha-1 Microglobulin is found in mammals, birds, amphibians and fish. The primary sites of A1M synthesis are the liver and the kidney. Around the opening of the lipocalin pocket three lysyl residues are situated; those residues carry yellow-brown modification derived from the binding and degradation of heme and kynurenin (a tryptophan metabolite). A1-Microglobulin’s reductase and dehydrogenase have broad biological substrate specificity properties due to its’ free cysteine side-chain which is located in a flexible loop. Alpha-1-microglobulin is glycosylated by three separate carbohydrate chains: two complex carbohydrates which are N-linked to asparagines at residues 17 and 96, and the other simple carbohydrate which is O-linked to threonine at position 5. The carbohydrates comprise 22% of the total molecular mass of the protein. The glycosylation varies between species.
A1M exists in two forms- a free form and complexed to other macromolecules: in humans- complexed to immunoglobulin A (IgA), in rat- complexed to alpha-1-inhibitor-3. Free A1M is exceptionally heterogeneous in charge (therefore also known as protein HC), and is found tightly linked to a chromophore. The free Alpha-1-microglobulin is a monomeric protein composed of one 188 residue polypeptide and contains three cysteines, two of which (residues 75 and 173) form a conserved intra-molecular disulphide link. The chromophoric group is covalently bound to the free cysteine residue at position 34. A1M binds retinol as a major ligand, but this is probably distinct from its covalent chromophore.
Half of all human plasma A1M (approximately 0.03mg/ml) forms a 1:1 complex with about 5% of plasma immunoglobulin A. The resulting macromolecular complexes’ molecular weight is 200000, and a plasma concentration of 0.3mg/ml. The complex can exhibit both antibody activity and affect many of the biological actions of free Alpha-1-microglobulin.
Alpha-1-microglobulin was first discovered in pathological human urine.
It was suggested that A1M might be involved in tissue defense against reactive oxygen species, oxidation by heme and kynurenin. Evidence also suggests that A1M functions in the regulation of the immune system. Other functions include inhibition of stimulation of cultured lymphocytes by protein antigens; induction of cell division of lymphocytes, a mitogenic effect that can either be enhanced or inhibited by the action of other plasma components; inhibition of neutrophil granulocyte migration in vitro; and inhibition of chemotaxis.

Serpin Peptidase Inhibitor, Clade B Member 4, also known as SERPINB4 is a member of the serpin family. SERPINB4 acts as a protease inhibitor to modulate the host immune response against tumor cells. Among the diseases associated with SERPINB4 are: inverted papilloma as well as burns.

Alpha-2-antiplasmin (SERPINF2) is a serine protease inhibitor. The main targets of SERPINF2 are plasmin and trypsin; however SERPINF2 also inactivates matriptase-3/TMPRSS7 and chymotrypsin.

Neuralized Homolog 2 (NEURL2) takes part in the process of myofiber differentiation and maturation. NEURL2 is probable substrate-recognition component of a SCF-like ECS E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex, which mediates the ubiquitination of proteins. NEURL2 contributes to catalysis through recognition and positioning of the substrate and the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme. NEURL2 regulates the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of beta-catenin during myogenesis.

Dynein light chain roadblock-type (DYNLRB1) belongs to the roadblock dynein light chain family and encodes a cytoplasmic protein which is capable of binding intermediate chain proteins. Upregulation of the DYNLRB1 gene is linked with hepatocellular carcinomas, suggesting that DYNLRB1 may be involved in tumor progression.

Intrinsic Factor is a member of the cobalamin transport protein family. It encodes a glycoprotein secreted by parietal cells of the gastric mucosa and is required for adequate absorption of vitamin B12 in the terminal ileum. Vitamin B12 is essential for erythrocyte maturation and mutations in the Intrinsic Factor may lead to congenital pernicious anemia. Upon entry into the stomach, vitamin B12 binds to one of two B12 binding proteins present in the gastric fluid. In the less acidic environment of the small intestine, these proteins dissociate from the vitamin, allowing it to bind to intrinsic factor and enter the portal circulation through a receptor in the ileal mucosa specific for the B12-intrinsic factor complex.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit J (EIF3J) is a member of the EIF-3 subunit J family. EIF3 has a crucial role in binding of initiator methionyl-tRNA and mRNA to the 40S ribosomal subunit to produce the 40S initiation complex. EIF3J binds to the aminoacyl (A) site and mRNA access channel of the 40S subunit, setting EIF3J directly in the ribosomal decoding center. In addition, EIF3J interacts with eIF1A and reduces 40S subunit affinity for mRNA. An elevated affinity for mRNA is restored upon enlistment of initiator tRNA, despite the fact EIF3J remains in the mRNA-binding cleft in the presence of tRNA.

Olfactomedin 1 (OLFM1), also known as noelin, shares expansive sequence similarity with the rat neuronal olfactomedin-related ER localized protein. OLFM1 plays a vital role in regulating the production of neural crest cells by the neural tube.