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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

Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 protein (Mfge8) is pleiotropic secreted glycoprotein which promotes mammary gland morphogenesis, angiogenesis, and tumor progression. Mfge8 has also an imperative role in tissue homeostasis and the prevention of inflammation. Mfge8 functions as a bridge between phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cells and Integrin alpha V beta 3 on phagocytes, leading to the clearance of apoptotic debris.

Elongation factor 1-beta (EEF1B2) is a translation elongation factor. EEF1B2 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor which is involved in the transfer of aminoacylated tRNAs to the ribosome. Both EEF1B2 and EEF1D stimulate the exchange of GDP bound to EEF1A to GTP.

Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases having various physiological functions. Many kallikreins are implicated in carcinogenesis and some have potential of becoming novel cancer and other disease biomarkers. Kallikrein-13 (KLK13) is one of the fifteen kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19. KLK13 gene expression is regulated by steroid hormones and may be useful as a marker for breast cancer.

Lipocalin-2 also called Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) belongs to a family of lipocans which include 25 proteins (including a1-microglobulin and b-lactoglobulin), which are characterized by their ability to bind small lipophilic substances in their hydrophobic core. They thereby serve as transporters of substances like retinal, biliverdins & prostaglandins. There are indications that NGAL is involved in modulation of the inflammatory response and is found in the plasma of patients after stroke.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF R) subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases comprises four members: EGF R (also known as HER1, ErbB1 or ErbB), ErbB2 (Neu, HER-2), ErbB3 (HER-3), and ErbB4 (HER-4). All family members are type I transmembrane glycoprotein that has an extracellular domain which contains two cysteine-rich domains separated by a spacer region that is involved in ligand-binding, and a cytoplasmic domain which has a membrane-proximal tyrosine kinase domain and a C-terminal tail with multiple tyrosine autophosphorylation sites. The human EGF R gene encodes a 1210 amino acid (aa) residue precursor with a 24 aa putative signal peptide, a 621 aa extracellular domain, a 23 aa transmembrane domain, and a 542 aa cytoplasmic domain. EGF R has been shown to bind a subset of the EGF family ligands, including EGF, amphiregulin, TGFa , betacellulin, epiregulin, heparin-binding EGF and neuregulin-2 in the absence of a co-receptor. Ligand binding induces EGF R homodimerization as well as heterdimerization with ErbB2, resulting in kinase activation, tyrosine phosphorylation and cell signaling. EGF R can also be recruited to form heterodimers with the ligand-activated ErbB3 or ErbB4. EGF R signaling has been shown to regulate multiple biological functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, motility and apoptosis. In addition, EGF R signaling has also been shown to play a role in carcinogenesis.

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 isoform 1 or AKR1C3 is an enzyme, part of the aldo-keto reductase family that promotes conversion of ketones & aldehydes to the alcohol forms while using cofactors such as NADPH & NADH. AKR1C3 promotes the reduction of PG molecule (prostaglandin), PQ (phenanthrenequinone) & PGH2. Another role is oxidation of 9 alpha, 11 beta-PGF2 to PGD2. AKR1C3 holds a crucial part in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases like asthma and can also take part in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation.

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 or ACE-2 is an enzyme that is located in the cell membranes in different organs such as kidney, intestines, lungs, heart & arteries. ACE2 acts as an entry receptor of SARS coronaviruses & SARS-CoV-2.The coronavirus spike (S) glycoprotein is a class I viral fusion antigen bound to the external envelope of the virion that has a role in a crucial part in viral infection by identifying host cell receptors and starting fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. Couple of main domains in coronavirus S1 have been identified, the N-terminal domain and C-terminal domain. One or the other and/or both S1 domains acts as a receptor-binding domain. SARS-CoV + MERS-CoV equally use C-domain to attach their receptors.ACE2 is a type I transmembrane antigen with an extracellular N-terminal domain having the catalytic site and an intracellular C-terminal tail. ACE2 has a signal peptide, a transmembrane domain & a single metalloproteinase active site holds an HEXXH zinc-binding domain. ACE-2 takes part as a mono-carboxypeptidase which degrades Ang I to produce the nonapeptide Ang 1–9 and Ang II to create the heptapeptide Ang 1–7.

Melanoregulin (MREG) takes part in membrane fusion and in regulating the biogenesis of disk membranes of photoreceptor rods. MREG is expressed in photoreceptor cells as two isoforms as a result of alternative splicing. MREG interacts with Peripherin-2, a photoreceptor specific tetraspanin protein which is required to preserve normal cell structure during the renewal process of membrane fusion. Moreover, MREG plays a part in the incorporation of pigments into hair.

SCGN is a secreted calcium-binding protein which is found in the cytoplasm. It is related to calbindin D-28K and calretinin. Secretagogin is involved in KCL-stimulated calcium flux and cell proliferation.
Secretagogin plays a role in human non-functional pituitary adenomas.

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C4 or AKR1C4 is a part of the aldo/keto reductase superfamily that has more then 40 known proteins & enzymes. AKR1C4 catalyzes the conversion of aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols with NADH and/or NADPH as cofactors. AKR1C4 takes place in the bioreduction of chlordecone, a toxic organochlorine pesticide, to chlordecone alcohol in the liver tissue.

Norrie Disease (NDP) is a secreted regulatory protein which activates the canonical Wnt signaling pathway through FZD4 and LRP5 coreceptor. NDP takes part in retinal vascularization by acting as a ligand for FZD4 which signals through stabilizing beta-catenin (CTNNB1) and activating LEF/TCF-mediated transcriptional programs. NDP is involved in a pathway that regulates neural cell differentiation and proliferation and also in neuroectodermal cell-cell interaction.

Sclerostin (SOST) is a secreted glycoprotein with a C-terminal cysteine knot-like (CTCK) domain and sequence similarity to the DAN (differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma) family of bone morphogenetic protein antagonists. Sclerostin functions as a negative regulator of bone growth, by inhibiting bone formation. SOST is expressed mainly in the bone, cartilage, kidney, liver, bone marrow and primary osteoblasts differentiated for 21 days. SOST gene defects cause sclerosteosis and bone dysplasia.

tRNA-splicing endonuclease subunit Sen15 (TSEN15) is a member of the SEN15 family. tRNA splicing is an essential process required for cell growth and division. TSEN15 is a subunit of the tRNA splicing endonuclease. TSEN15 cleaves pre-tRNA at the 5' and 3' splice sites to release the intron.

CNDP Dipeptidase 1, also known as CNDP1 is a member of the peptidase M20A family. CNDP1 Mannheim which is the shortest allelic form has been more common in the absence of nephropathy in addition to being associated with lower serum carnosinase levels. Furthermore, Carnosine inhibited the increased production of fibronectin as well as collagen type VI in podocytes and the increased production of TGF-beta in mesangial cells. Diabetic patients with the CNDP1 Mannheim variant are less at risk for nephropathy. In addition, on renal cells carnosine protects against the adverse effects of high glucose levels.

AN1-type zinc finger protein 1 isoform a (ZFAND1) is a member of the Zinc-finger proteins. Proteins from this family contain DNA-binding domains and have an extensive variety of functions, most of which encompass some form of transcriptional activation or repression. ZFAND1 is a 268 amino acid protein, which contains two AN1-type zinc fingers that are repeatedly found in proteins which contain an ubiquitin-like domain and for that reason have a role in the ubiquitination pathway ZFAND1 is comprised of 6 conserved cysteines and 2 histidines and have a dimetal (zinc)-bound alpha/beta fold. As a result of alternative splicing events two isoforms of ZFAND1 are produced.

Alpha & Gamma-Adaptin Binding Protein (AAGAB), which is also known as P34, takes part in membrane traffic and interacts with AP1G1 and AP2A1.AAGAB is highly expressed in skin and keratinocytes, with the highest levels in adrenal gland, rectum and thymus.

Acyl-CoA Thioesterase 8 (ACOT8) is a group of enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of acyl-CoAs to the free fatty acid and coenzyme A (CoASH), granting the potential to regulate intracellular levels of acyl-CoAs, free fatty acids and CoASH. ACOT8 mediate Nef-induced down-regulation of CD4. ACOT8 contends with BAAT (Bile acid CoA: amino acid N-acyltransferase) for bile acid-CoA substrate (such as chenodeoxycholoyl-CoA). ACOT8 prefers medium-length fatty acyl-CoAs.

HEXA is the alpha subunit of the lysosomal enzyme beta-hexosaminidase which, combined with the cofactor GM2 activator protein, catalyzes the degradation of the ganglioside GM2, and other molecules having N-acetyl hexosamines terminus. The two subunits composing Beta-hexosaminidase, alpha and beta, belong to the glycosyl hydrolases family and are encoded by distinct genes. Alpha subunit gene mutations can cause Tay-Sachs disease (GM2-gangliosidosis type I).

PPIases catalyze the cis-trans isomerization of proline imidic peptide bonds in oligopeptides and accelerate the folding of proteins. Cyclophilin-A is a cyclosporin binding-protein and may play a role in cyclosporin A-mediated immunosuppression. Cyclophilin-A can also interact with several HIV proteins, including p55 gag, Vpr, and capsid protein, and has been shown to be necessary for the formation of infectious HIV virions. Multiple pseudogenes that map to different chromosomes have been reported.

Eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 epsilon-1 (EEF1E1) shares sequence similarity with the amino-terminal ends of the Beta and Gamma subunits of EF-1. By specifically interacting with MetRS, EEF1E1 binds to a macromolecular tRNA synthtase complex which catalyzes the ligation of specific amino acids to their cognate tRNAs. Upon DNA damage, EEF1E1 translocates to the nucleus where it interacts with ATM and ATR, resulting in p53 activation.

Fucosidase Alpha-L- 2 Plasma (FUCA2) is a plasma alpha-L-fucosidase, which represents 10-20% of the total cellular fucosidase activity. FUCA2 protein belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 29 family, and catalyzes the hydrolysis of the alpha-1,6-linked fucose fused to the reducing-end N-acetylglucosamine of the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins. FUCA2 is crucial for Helicobacter pylori adhesion to human gastric cancer cells.

TRAIL Receptor-3, also known as TNFRSF10C belongs to theTNF-receptor super family. TNFRSF10C contains an extracellular TRAIL-binding domain as well as a transmembranedomain, however no cytoplasmic death domain. Furthermore, TNFRSF10C is not capable of inducing apoptosis, and is considered toact as an antagonistic receptor which protects cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

GREM2 which is a member of the BMP (bone morphogenic protein) antagonist family takes part in regulating organogenesis, body patterning, and tissue differentiation. GREM2 is an antagonist of BMP and like BMPs, BMP antagonists contain cystine knots and typically form homo- and heterodimers. The CAN (cerberus and dan) subfamily of BMP antagonists, is characterized by a C-terminal cystine knot with an 8-membered ring.