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Osteopontin is a glycoprotein that was primarilyfound in osteoblasts and takes part in bone remodeling, immune functions in fibroblasts, macrophages, & lymphocytes during inflammation and wound healing. SPP1 highlybinds to hydroxyapatite. SPP1 forms an integral part of the mineralized matrix. SPP1 is vital to cell-matrix interaction.
Secreted Phosphoprotein-1 protects against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury through late preconditioning. Expression of Ostepontin and CD44 in hepatocellular carcinoma is linked to advanced tumor stage &leads to prognosis information. SPP1 is the most over-expressed gene in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Secreted Phosphoprotein-1 overexpression is related with interstitial lung diseases.

BCL2 gene encodes an integral outer mitochondrial membrane protein that blocks the apoptotic death of some cells such as lymphocytes. Constitutive expression of BCL2, such as in the case of translocation of BCL2 to Ig heavy chain locus, is thought to be the cause of follicular lymphoma. Two transcript variants, produced by alternate splicing, differ in their C-terminal ends.

Interleukin-6 is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine primarily produced by activated T cells and an assortment of other cells including endothelial cells and macrophages. IL-6 affects B and T lymphocytes and has been shown to have a role in host defense, acute phase reactions, immune responses and hematopoiesis.

CD30 Ligand (TNFSF8) is a cytokine which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand family. The TNFSF8 cytokine is a ligand for TNFRSF8/CD30, which is a cell surface antigen and a marker for Hodgkin lymphoma and related hematologic malignancies. The employment of the TNFSF8 cytokine expressed on B cell surface has an inhibitory role in modulating Ig class switch. TNFSF8 enhances cell proliferation of some lymphoma cell lines, while inducing cell death and reducing cell proliferation of other lymphoma cell lines. The pleiotropic biological activities of the TNFSF8 cytokine on different CD30+ lymphoma cell lines has a pathophysiologic role in Hodgkin's and some non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Chemokine (C motif) ligand (XCL1) is a small cytokine belonging to the XC chemokine family that is also known as lymphotactin. It is found in high levels in spleen, thymus, intestine and peripheral blood leukocytes, and at lower levels in lung, prostate gland and ovary. Cellular sources for XCL1 include activated thymic and peripheral blood CD8+ T cells. This chemokine attracts T cells. In humans, XCL1 is closely related to another chemokine called XCL2, whose geneis found at the same locus on chromosome 1. XCL1 induces it chemotactic function by binding to a chemokine receptor called XCR1.

Nucleobindin-2 (also known as NUCB2 or Nesfatin) is a EF-hand calcium-binding protein. Nucleobindin-2 takes part in calcium homeostasis and is a multifunctional protein that interacts with Ca(2+) nucleic acids & various regulatory proteins in different signaling pathways. NUCB2 (Nesfatin) is localized in neuronal perikarya and dendrites of mouse brain.

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.

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a family of secreted signaling molecules, which can induce ectopic bone growth. Various BMPs are part of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. BMPs were initially identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site. Based upon its expression early in embryogenesis, BMP6 has a suggested role in early development. Moreover, the fact that the BMP6 is closely related to BMP5 and BMP7 leads to an assumption of possible bone inductive activity.

HIV-1 and HIV-2 appear to package their RNA differently. HIV-1 binds to any appropriate RNA whereas HIV-2 preferentially binds to mRNA which creates the Gag protein itself. This means that HIV-1 is better able to mutate. HIV-2 is transmitted in the same ways as HIV-1: Through exposure to bodily fluids such as blood, semen, tears and vaginal fluids. Immunodeficiency develops more slowly with HIV-2. HIV-2 is less infectious in the early stages of the virus than with HIV-1. The infectiousness of HIV-2 increases as the virus progresses. Major differences include reduced pathogenicity of HIV-2 relative to HIV-1, enhanced immune control of HIV-2 infection and often some degree of CD4-independence. Despite considerable sequence and phenotypic differences between HIV-1 and 2 envelopes, structurally they are quite similar. Both membrane-anchored proteins eventually form the 6-helix bundles from the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the ectodomain, which is common to many viral and cellular fusion proteins and which seems to drive fusion.

HIV2 gp160 protein contains HIV2 Subtype A sequence, covering C4, V5, and C5 from HIV2 gp120 and extending to HIV2 gp36.

CMV belongs to the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily of Herpesviridae which includes herpes simplex virustypes 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barrvirus. The herpesviruses share a characteristic ability to remain latentover long periods. CMV is a double-stranded linear DNA virus with 162 hexagonal protein capsomeres surrounded by a lipid membrane. CMV has the largest genome of the herpes viruses, ranging from 230-240 kilobase pairs. Human CMV is composed of unique and inverted repeats that include the existence of 4 genome isomers caused by inversion of L-S genome components (class E). Replication may be divided into immediate early, delayed early, and late gene expression based on time of synthesis after infection. The DNA is replicated by rolling circles. In vitro, CMV replicates in human fibroblasts.

The somatomedins, or insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), comprise a family of peptides that takes part in mammalian growth and development. IGF1 mediates various growth-promoting effects of growth hormone (GH; MIM 139250). Early studies showed that growth hormone did not directly stimulate the incorporation of sulfate into cartilage, but rather acted through a serum factor, termed 'sulfation factor,' which later became known as 'somatomedin' (Daughaday et al., 1972). 3 main somatomedins have been characterized: somatomedin C (IGF1), somatomedin A (IGF2; MIM 147470), and somatomedin B (MIM 193190) (Rotwein, 1986; Rosenfeld, 2003).

TARC cDNA encodes a 94 amino acid precursor protein with a 23 amino acid residue signal peptide that is cleaved off to generate the 71 amino acid residue mature secreted protein. Along with CC chemokine family members, CCL-17 has approximately 24-29% amino acid sequence identity with RANTES, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3 and I-309. TARC is expressed in thymus, and at a lower level in the lung, colon, and small intestine. TARC is in addition transiently expressed in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Recombinant TARC has been shown to be chemotactic for T cell lines but not monocytes or neutrophils. CCL-17 is a specific functional ligand for CCR4, a receptor that is selectively expressed on T cells. CCL17 is one of a few Cys-Cys (CC) cytokine genes clustered on the q arm of chromosome 16. CCL17 shows chemotactic activity for T lymphocytes, but not monocytes or granulocytes. CCL17 binds to chemokine receptors CCR4 and CCR8. This chemokine plays important roles in T cell development in thymus as well as in trafficking and activation of mature T cells.

Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) belongs to the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family, which includes proteases that process protein and peptide precursors trafficking via regulated or constitutive branches of the secretory pathway. PCSK9 protein goes through an autocatalytic processing event with its prosegment in the ER and is constitutively secreted as an inactive protease into the extracellular matrix and trans-Golgi network. PCSK9 is expressed in the liver, intestine and kidney tissues and escorts specific receptors for lysosomal degradation. PCSK has a role in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism. PCSK9 gene mutations are linked with autosomal dominant familial hypercholesterolemia.

CMV is part of the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily of Herpesviridae; including herpes simplex virustypes 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus, and Epstein-Barrvirus. The herpesviruses has the common ability to stay latentover long periods of time. CMV has the largest genome of the herpes viruses, ranging from 230-240 kilobase pairs. CMV is a double-stranded linear DNA virus with 162 hexagonal protein capsomeres surrounded by a lipid membrane. Human CMV is composed of unique and inverted repeats that include the existence of 4 genome isomers caused by inversion of L-S genome components (class E). Replication may be divided into immediate early, delayed early, and late gene expression based on time of synthesis after infection. The DNA is replicated by rolling circles. In vitro, CMV replicates in human fibroblasts.

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, β, γ, ε, σ, ζ, τ and η that have been identified in mammals. The 14-3-3 tau, a subtype of the 14-3-3 family of proteins, was found in T Cells, brain and testes. This 14-3-3 tau is upregulated in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

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 subsp. 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.

IFN-gamma produced by lymphocytes activated by specific antigens or mitogens.
IFN-gamma, in addition to having antiviral activity, has important immunoregulatory functions, it is a potent activator of macrophages, and has antiproliferative effects on transformed cells and it can potentiate the antiviral and antitumor effects of the type I interferons.

IL2-Ra is one of the three constituent subunits of the IL2 receptor. IL-2Ra is released into the serum after increased cellular expression such as increased activation of B and T cells. Clinical manifestations of IL2-Ra elevation include autoimmune conditions and some leukemias and lymphomas.

Vimentin expression in human malignant glioma cells depends on cellular density, algorithms of drug delivery and chemo/radio treatment. Vimentin and detyrosinated microtubules provide structural support for the extensive microtentacles observed in detached tumor cells and a mechanism to promote successful metastatic spread. Primary colorectal carcinomas display aberrant expression of vimentin, and have activated Notch and TGFbeta signaling pathways. Vimentin is a strong arterial substrate for transglutaminases. Transglutaminase-mediated vimentin dimerization results in a novel unifying pathway by which vasodilatory and remodeling responses may be regulated. Ablation of vimentin expression inhibits migration and invasion of colon and breast cancer cell lines.

GCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes. The active protein is found extracellularly. Three transcript variants encoding three different isoforms have been found for this gene. Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factors are cytokines that act in hematopoiesis by controlling the production, differentiation, and function of 2 related white cell populations of the blood, the granulocytes and the monocytes-macrophages. This csf induces granulocytes.