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Treponema pallidum is a gram-negative spirochaete bacterium and is considered to be metabolically crippled. There are at least four known subspecies: T. pallidum pallidum, T. pallidum pertenue, T. pallidum carateum and T. pallidum endemicum. The helical structure of T. pallidum pallidum allows it to move in a corkscrew motion through viscous mediums such as mucus. Treponema pallidum sub sp. pallidum has one of the smallest bacterial genomes at 1.14 million base pairs (Mb) and has limited metabolic capabilities, reflecting its adaptation through genome reduction to the rich environment of mammalian tissue.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also known as Monokine induced by gamma INF (MIG). CXCL9 is a T-cell chemoattractant, which is induced by IFN-?. It is closely related to two other CXC chemokines called CXCL10 and CXCL11, whose genes are located near the gene for CXCL9 on human chromosome 4. CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 all elicit their chemotactic functions by interacting with the chemokine receptor CXCR3.

HSF2BP, also known as HSF2 binding protein links with HSF2. This interaction takes place between the trimerization domain of HSF2 and the amino terminal hydrophilic region of HSF2BP which contains two leucine zipper motifs. Therefore, HSF2BP is involved in modulating HSF2 activation.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) comprise a family of at least eighteen structurally related proteins that are involved in a multitude of physiological and pathological cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, angiogenesis, wound healing and tumorgenesis. The biological activities of the FGFs are mediated by a family of type I transmembrane tyrosine kinases which undergo dimerization and autophosphorylation after ligand binding. Four distinct genes encoding closely related FGF receptors, FGF R1 - 4, are known. All four genes for FGF Rs encode proteins with an N-terminal signal peptide, three immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, an acid-box region containing a run of acidic residues between the IgI and IgII domains, a transmembrane domain and the split tyrosine-kinase domain. Multiple forms of FGF R1 - 3 are generated by alternative splicing of the mRNAs. A frequent splicing event involving FGF R1 and 2 results in receptors containing all three Ig domains, referred to as the a isoform, or only IgII and IgIII, referred to as the b isoform. Only the a isoform has been identified for FGF R3 and FGF R4. Additional splicing events for FGF R1 - 3, involving the C-terminal half of the IgIII domain encoded by two mutually exclusive alternative exons, generate FGF receptors with alternative IgIII domains (IIIb and IIIc). A IIIa isoform which is a secreted FGF binding protein containing only the N-terminal half of the IgIII domain plus some intron sequences has also been reported for FGF R1. Mutations in FGF R1 - 3 have been found in patients with birth defects involving craniosynostosis. The complex patterns of expression of these receptors as well as the specificity of their interactions with the various FGF ligand family members are under investigation.

Rho-related GTP-binding protein (RhoD) is a member of the small GTPase superfamily. The small GTPase Rho D promotes the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton and cell surface and also regulates endosome motility and distribution.

CRABP2 NCBI Accession No: NP_001869 regulates the access of retinoic acid to the nuclear retinoic acid receptors. CRABP2 is involved in a regulatory feedback mechanism that controls the action of retinoic acid on cell differentiation.
CRABP2 is involved in the conversion of vitamin A into its intracellular active form retinoic acid, which regulate the genes responsible for lipid metabolism and adipocyte differentiation. CRABP2 gene is located on chromosome 1q21-23 and this region has been linked with related disorders such as familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
CRABP proteins are of low molecular weight having an important function in retinoic acid-mediated regulation of human skin growth and differentiation.

Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 3, also known as LAMP3 is part of the lysosome-associated membrane protein family. LAMP3 and CD68 share an extremely similar predicted structure. LAMP3 performs in dendritic cell function and in adaptive immunity as well. Furthermore, LAMP3 overexpression is actively involved in tumor invasion via increased migration into lymph-vascular spaces.

CRH is a powerful stimulator of synthesis and secretion of preopiomelanocortin-derived peptides. CRH concentration in the human peripheral circulation is usually low. The concentration rises during pregnancy and fall back quickly after parturition. Maternal plasma CRH most likely originates from the placenta. Human plasma has a CRH-binding protein that inactivates CRH and can inhibit inappropriate pituitary-adrenal stimulation in pregnancy.

RAP2A belongs to the RAS oncogene family and a Ras-like small G protein. The RAP2A protein shares 60% identity with Rap1A and exhibits a carboxy-terminal CAAX motif and 2 upstream cysteines similar to those of the H-Ras, K-Ras and N-Ras proteins. In contrast with Rap1A and Rap1B, overexpression of RAP2A doesn’t obstruct the Ras signaling pathway.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also known as Monokine induced by MIG. CXCL9 is a T-cell chemoattractant. It is closely related to two other CXC chemokines called CXCL10 and CXCL11, whose genes are located near the gene for CXCL9 on human chromosome 4. CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 all elicit their chemotactic functions by interacting with the chemokine receptor CXCR3.

Testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase 6 (TSSK6) is an intronless gene, which belongs to the CAMK Ser/Thr protein kinase family. The TSSK6 protein contains one protein kinase domain. TSSK6 is highly expressed in the testis and lowly expressed in the colon, prostate, thymus, small intestine, and peripheral blood leukocytes. TSSK6 interacts with the heatshock proteins HSPA8, HSPCB, and HAPA1A; these interactions seem to be essential for TSSK6 kinase activity. TSSK6 plays a role in DNA condensation during postmeiotic chromatin remodeling. In addition, TSSK6 is required for sperm production and function.

MAPRE3 is a microtubule related protein that cooperates with the colorectal adenomatous polyposis coli tumor suppressor protein and takes a curtail part in regulating microtubule dynamics, cell polarity, and chromosome stability. MAPRE3 protein is related to MAPRE1 and also associates with the microtubule cytoskeleton. MAPRE3 is expressed mainly in the central nervous system and specially associates with APCL, a homolog of the adenomatous polyposis coli tumor suppressor protein.

Inhibins are dimeric peptide hormones produced by female ovarian granulose cells and male Sertoli cells as well as a variety of other tissues. Inhibins have two isoforms, A and B, with the same alpha subunit but different beta subunits. Inhibin A is a dimer of alpha and beta A subunits, inhibin B is a dimer of alpha and beta B subunits.
Inhibins are thought to inhibit the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. In addition, Inhibins are also thought to play a role in the control of gametogenesis, and embryonic and fetal development.

Glypican-3 (GPC3) belongs to the glypican family, and is highly expressed in the lung, liver, and the kidney. In some tissues, GPC3 functionss as a tumor suppressor gene and an oncofetal protein. The Glypican-3 protein is currently considered as a tumor marker and potential target for immunotherapy. Glypican-3 binds to and inhibits the dipeptidyl peptidase activity of CD26, and it can also induce apoptosis in certain cell types. Deletion mutations in the GPC3 gene are linked with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome, aka Simpson dysmorphia syndrome.

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.

Proline Synthetase Co-Transcribed (PROSC) is a member of the UPF0001 family.

Escherichia coli Hsp31 (HchA) is a homodimeric member of the ThiI/DJ-1/PfpI superfamily which combines molecular chaperone and aminopeptidase activities. HchA uses temperature-induced exposure of structured hydrophobic domains to capture and stabilize early unfolding protein intermediates under severe thermal stress.

NADH Dehydrogenase 1 Beta Subcomplex 4 (NDUFB4) is a member of the complex I NDUFB4 subunit family. NDUFB4 is a non-catalytic subunit of the multisubunit NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, which is the first enzyme complex in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (complex I). Mammalian complex I is comprised of 45 different subunits and transfers electrons from NADH to ubiquinone.

Ras-related protein Rab-35 (RAB35) is restricted to the plasma membrane and endocytic compartments and controls a fast endocytic recycling pathway. Inhibition of Rab35 function leads to the accumulation of endocytic markers on numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles in cells that failed cytokinesis, which is consistent with a central requirement for Rab35-regulated recycling during cell division.

RAP1B is a member of a superfamily of RAS-like small GTP-binding proteins which takes part in cell signaling. RAP1B owns an intrinsic GTPase activity and is universally expressed in mammalian tissues. The alleged effector domain of Ras proteins, whose integrity is required for cell transformation as well as interaction with the putative effector protein GAP, is conserved in both Rap 1 proteins.

CCL4L1 (C-C motif chemokine 4-like) is a member of to intercrine beta (chemokine CC) family. The CCL4L1 protein is similar to CCL4 which inhibits HIV replication in peripheral blood monocytes which express CCR5.

IL-17 family members are glycoproteins secreted as dimers which induce local cytokine production and recruit granulocytes to sites of inflammation. The IL-17 family is comprised of at least six pro-inflammatory cytokines that share a conserved cysteine-knot structure but diverge at the N-terminus. IL-17 is induced by IL-15 and IL-23, mostly in activated CD4+ T cells distinct from Th1 or Th2 cells. IL-17B binds the IL-17B receptor, but not the IL-17 receptor; it is most homologous with IL-17D, which is expressed by resting CD4+ T cells and CD19+ B cells. IL17B Diseases associated with IL17B include spondyloarthropathy, and neuronitis, and among its related super-pathways are Mucin expression in CF via IL-6, IL-17 signaling pathways and STAT3 Pathway.

NCR2 (NKp44) belongs to the natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) family which is expressed on activated human NK cells. NKp44 exhibits a single extracellular Ig-like V domain and a transmembrane portion containing the charged residue (Lysine), possibly involved in the association with KARAP/DAP12 molecules. The gene coding for NKp44 maps on human chromosome 6p21.1.

Neuregulin/Heregulin is a family of structurally related polypeptide growth factors which are stemmed from alternatively spliced genes (NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 and NRG4). Thus far, there are more than 14 soluble and transmembrane proteins derived from the NRG1 gene. Proteolytic processing of the extracellular domain of the transmembrane NRG1 isoforms release soluble growth factors. HRG1-b1 is comprised of an Ig domain and an EGF-like domain which is necessary for direct binding to receptor tyrosine kinases erb3 and erb4. This binding stimulates erb3 and erb4 heterodimerization with erb2, promoting intrinsic kinase activity, which results in tyrosine phosphorylation. Even though HRG1-b1 biological effects are still unclear, it has been discovered to advance motility and invasiveness of breast cancer cells which in addition might entail up-regulation of expression and function of the autocrine motility-promoting factor (AMF).