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g-synuclein(Originally known as a breast cancer specific gene product, BCSG1) is an acidic neuronal protein of 127 amino acids. Gamma-Synuclein is a member of the Synuclein protein family, which is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. High levels of Gamma-Synuclein have been found in advanced breast carcinomas suggesting a correlation between overexpression of SNCG and breast tumor development. Synuclein-Gamma is found mostly in the peripheral nervous system (in primary sensory neurons, sympathetic neurons, and motor neurons) and retina. SNCG is also identified in the brain, ovarian tumors, and in the olfactory epithelium. SNCG expression in breast tumors is a marker for tumor progression. A modification in the expression of gamma-synuclein has been detected in the retina of Alzheimer's patients.

Ganciclovir (GCV) is a pro-drug nucleoside analog that is activated by phosphorylation. It is useful in the study of gene therapy in cancer research.
Ganciclovir is a synthetic analogue of 2'-deoxy-guanosine. It is initially phosphorylated to a deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP) analogue. This mechanism competitively inhibits the integration of dGTP by viral DNA polymerase, resulting in the termination of elongation of viral DNA. Upon expression of a viral suicide gene encoding thymidine kinase, the non-toxic pro-drug is converted to a phosphorylated active analog and is incorporated into the DNA of replicating eukaryotic cells, causing death of the malignant dividing cell. The cell cycle is irreversibly arrested at the G2-M checkpoint. Gap junction involvement in the ganciclovir bystander effect has been studied. Ganciclovir has been used to study loss of telomeres and to evaluate sensitivity of viruses to antiviral treatments.
Ganciclovir is used in molecular biology for selection against random recombination events when homologous recombination of a gene of interest is required.

Meteorin (METRN) is involved in both glial cell differentiation and axonal network formation during neurogenesis. METRN promotes astrocyte differentiation and transforms cerebellar astrocytes into radial glia. Moreover, the METRN protein stimulates axonal extension in small and intermediate neurons of sensory ganglia by activating nearby satellite glia.

DNA Cytosine-5--Methyltransferase 3-Like (DNMT3L) is a nuclear protein with similarity to DNA methyltransferases, but is not believed to act as a DNA methyltransferase since it doesn’t contain the amino acid residues needed for methyltransferase activity. Nevertheless, DNMT3L stimulates de novo methylation by DNA cytosine methyltransferase 3 alpha and is assumed to be required for the formation of maternal genomic imprints. DNMT3L also mediates transcriptional repression as a result of interaction with histone deacetylase 1. DNMT3L is a catalytically inactive regulatory factor of DNA methyltransferases, which is vital for the function of DNMT3A and DNMT3B. DNMT3L activates DNMT3A and DNMT3B by binding to their catalytic domain. Furthermore, DNMT3L accelerates the binding of DNA and AdoMet to the methyltransferases and dissociates from the complex after DNA binding to the methyltransferases.

Suppressor of IKBKE 1 also known as SIKE1 belongs to the SIKE family. SIKE interacts with IKK-epsilon and TBK1 and function as a suppressor of TLR3. In addition, SIKE1 perform by disrupting the interactions of IKBKE or TBK1 with TICAM1/TRIF, IRF3 andDDX58/RIG-I. SIKE1 does not inhibit NF-kappa-B activation pathways.

STYX is a member of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase family. STYX has a Gly residue instead of a conserved Cys residue in the dsPTPase catalytic loop which renders it catalytically inactive as a phosphatase. Nevertheless, the binding pocket is adequately preserved to bind phosphorylated substrates, and possibly protect them from phosphatases. STYX takes part in spermiogenesis.

FKBPL is related to the immunophilin protein family, which take part in immunoregulation and regular cellular processes involving protein folding and trafficking. FKBPL has an important function in the induced radioresistance and participates in the control of the cell cycle. FKBPL has a role in cellular response to stress. FKBPL interacts with Hsp90, glucocorticoid receptor and dynamitin and is involved in signalling, like other FKBPs.

Polyribonucleotide nucleotidyltransferase 1, also known as PNPT1 is predominantly localized in the mitochondrial intermembrane space and is implicated in the import of RNA to mitochondria. Mutations in PNPT1 have been connected with combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency-13 as well as autosomal recessive nonsyndromic deafness-70. Related pseudogenes have been found on chromosomes 3 & 7.

Glutathione S-transferase, also known as GST, is an antioxidant enzyme. It is the primary defense mechanism from reactive oxygen in the cell. The enzyme GST reduces hydroperoxides of lipids via a Se-independent glutathione peroxidase actions. GST detoxifies peroxidation of lipids bi-products, for example 4-hydroxynonenal.

Chikungunya is an infection caused by the chikungunya virus which is passed to humans by two species of mosquito of the genus Aedes: A. albopictus and A. aegypti. Animal reservoirs of the virus include monkeys, birds, cattle, and rodents. The features of the disease are a sudden onset of fever 2-4 days after exposure. The fever typically lasts 2-7 days, while the associated joint pains usually last weeks or months but sometimes years. The mortality rate is a little less than 1 in 1,000. The disease has occurred in outbreaks in Asia, Europe and the Americas since 2004. CHIKV is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome, 11,800 nts long which encodes 2 open reading frames. The nucleocapsid is tightly enveloped by a host-derived lipid bilayer (envelope) supporting the virus-encoded envelope proteins. 80 glycoprotein spikes are C- terminally anchored within the viral envelope. The structural polyprotein is translated from a viral sub genomic mRNA, while as the 5 structural proteins (capsid, E3, E2, 6K, E1) are translated as a single polyprotein, from which capsid (C) is cleaved off to encapsidate. The envelope polyprotein precursor E3-E2-6K-E1 is translocated to the endoplasmatic reticulum. Polyprotein is processed by host signalases, resulting in E3, E2 & E1 forming viral hetero-trimeric spikes. The viral spikes majorly contains E2 and E1 facilitate cell receptor recognition, cell entry thru pH-dependent endocytosis and support viral budding.

ACY1 is a cytosolic, homodimeric, zinc-binding enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of acylated L-amino acids to L-amino acids and acyl group, and has been postulated to take part in the catabolism and salvage of acylated amino acids. Defects in ACY1 are the source of aminoacylase-1 deficiency (ACY1D). ACY1D results in a metabolic disorder manifesting with encephalopathy, unspecific psychomotor delay, psychomotor delay with atrophy of the vermis and syringomyelia, marked muscular hypotonia or normal clinical features. Epileptic seizures are a frequent feature.

Granulocyte Chemotactic Protein 2 (CXCL6), also known as GCP-2, is a Chemotactic for neutrophil granulocytes. GCP-2 signals through binding and activation of its receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2). GCP-2 has strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in addition to its chemotactic and angiogenic property.

ACTN1 encodes a nonmuscle, cytoskeletal, alpha actinin isoform and maps to the same site as the structurally similar erythroid beta spectrin gene. Alpha actinins belong to the spectrin gene superfamily which represents a diverse group of cytoskeletal proteins, including the alpha and beta spectrins and dystrophins. Alpha actinin is an actin-binding protein with multiple roles in different cell types. In nonmuscle cells, the cytoskeletal isoform is found along microfilament bundles and adherens-type junctions, where it is involved in binding actin to the membrane. In contrast, skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle isoforms are localized to the Z-disc and analogous dense bodies, where they help anchor the myofibrillar actin filaments.

CYR61 is a growth factor-inducible, immediate-early gene that has multifaceted activities in various cancers. CYR61 is a secreted, cysteine-rich, binding protein which is encoded by a growth factor-inducible immediate-early gene. Acting as an extracellular, matrix-associated signaling molecule, CYR61 promotes the adhesion of endothelial cells through interaction with integrin and enhances growth factor-induced DNA synthesis in the same cell type.

Troponin I (TnI), troponin T (TnT) and troponin C (TnC) form the troponin complex of the thin filaments of striated muscle. TnI is acts as the inhibitory subunit by blocking actin-myosin interactions and thereby mediating striated muscle relaxation. The TnI subfamily contains 3 genes: TnI-skeletal-fast-twitch, TnI-skeletal-slow-twitch, and TnI-cardiac. The TNNI3 gene encodes the TnI-cardiac protein and is exclusively expressed in cardiac muscle tissues. Mutations in the TNNI3 gene cause familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy type 7 (CMH7) and familial restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM).

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is involved in endometrial menstrual breakdown, regulation of vascularization and the inflammatory response. MMP-2 contains a number of distinct domains: a prodomain that is cleaved upon activation; a catalytic domain containing the zinc binding site; a fibronectin like domain believed to have a role in substrate targeting; and a carboxyl terminal (hemopexin like) domain containing 2 N-linked glycosylation. The MMP-2 can degrade an extensive array of substrates including type IV, V, VII and X collagens as well as gelatin type I. In addition, MMP-2 interacts with THBS2, TIMP2, Thrombospondin 1, CCL7 and TIMP4. MMP-2 autocatalytic cleavage in the C-terminal generates the anti-angiogenic peptide, PEX. This process seems to be made possible by binding integrinv/beta3. Defects in the MMP-2 are the cause of Torg-Winchester syndrome (TWS), aka multicentric osteolysis nodulosis and arthropathy (MONA).

The Melanoma Inhibitory protein (MIA) was identified as an inhibitor of in vitro growth of malignant melanoma cells. The protein contains a SH3 domain.
MIA acts as a potent tumor cell growth inhibitor for malignant melanoma cells and some other neuroectodermal tumors, including gliomas, in an autocrine fashion. In a study of human melanoma cell lines with different metastatic capacity MIA mRNA expression appeared to be inversely correlated with pigmentation. MIA has been shown to represent a very sensitive and specific serum marker for systemic malignant melanoma that might be useful for staging of primary melanomas, detection of progression from localized to metastatic disease during follow-up, and monitoring therapy of advanced melanomas.

ACP1 is part of the phosphotyrosine protein. ACP1 functions as an acid phosphatase and a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) existing in all human tissues, including adipocytes. ACP1 enzyme hydrolyzes protein tyrosine phosphate to protein tyrosine and orthophosphate, and also orthophosphoric monoesters to alcohol and orthophosphate. ACP1 is present in adipocytes, thus playing a specific role in the regulation of adipose tissue. High levels of the ACP1 negatively regulate cell proliferation and growth of leiomyomas during dephosphorylation of the PDGF receptor. High significant differences in birth weight-placental weight relationships were observed among acid phosphatase locus 1 phenotypes.

Oncostatin M is a member of a cytokine family that includes leukemia-inhibitory factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin 6. This gene encodes a growth regulator which inhibits the proliferation of a number of tumor cell lines. It regulates cytokine production, including IL-6, G-CSF and GM-CSF from endothelial cells.

GMCSF is a cytokine that controls the production, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. The active form of the protein is found extracellularly as a homodimer. This gene has been localized to a cluster of related genes at chromosome region 5q31, which is known to be associated with interstitial deletions in the 5q- syndrome and acute myelogenous leukemia. Other genes in the cluster include those encoding interleukins 4, 5, and 13.
GM-CSF stimulates the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic precursor cells from various lineages, including granulocytes, macrophages, eosinophils and erythrocytes.

Streptavidin is a tetrameric protein secreted by Streptomyces avidinii which binds firmly to biotin. Streptavidin is wilyde used in molecular biology through its unique high affinity for the vitamin biotin. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the biotin-streptavidin complex is about ~10-15 mol/L. The strong affinity recognition of biotin and biotinylated molecules has made streptavidin one of the most important components in diagnostics and laboratory kits. The streptavidin/biotin system has one of the biggest free energies of association of yet observed for noncovalent binding of a protein and small ligand in aqueous solution (K_assoc = 10**14). The complexes are also extremely stable over a wide range of temperature and pH.

Cystatin-A is the intracellular inhibitor of cysteine proteinase cathepsin B (CatB) and belongs to family 1 of the cystatin superfamily of inhibitor proteins. CSTA is a stefin that functions as a cysteine protease inhibitor, forming tight complexes with papain and the cathepsins B, H, and L. It has been proposed that extracellular CatB together with other classes of proteinases are all subjected to a cascade-like manner of activation. CatB and its inhibitor Cystatin-A are involved in degradation of extracellular matrix proteins during tissue remodeling. CSTA is one of the precursor proteins of cornified cell envelope in keratinocytes and plays a role in epidermal development and maintenance. Cystatin-A has been reported to be found in high concentrations in epithelial cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphoid tissue. Stefins may be used as prognostic and diagnostic tools for cancer.

a-Synuclein (amino acids 1-140), an acidic neuronal protein of 140 amino acids, is extremely heat-resistant and is natively unfolded with an extended structure primarily composed of random coils. a-synuclein has been suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, and more recently, to be an important regulatory component of vesicular transport in neuronal cells. Moreover, recent studies have shown that a-synuclein has chaperone activity and that this activity is lost upon removing its C-terminal acidic tail (amino acids 96-140).

ST13 is an adaptor protein (co-chaperone) that mediates the association of HSP70 & HSP90 and appears in early receptor complexes. ST13 plays a role in the assembly process of glucocorticoid receptor, which requires the assistance of multiple molecular chaperones. The expression of ST13 is downregulated in colorectal carcinoma tissue signifying that is candidate tumor suppressor gene. Through common binding to both Hsp70 and Hsp90, ST13 functions as an adaptor that can integrate Hsp70 and Hsp90 interactions. The expression of ST13 decreases in colorectal cancer tissue compared with that in adjacent normal tissue. ST13 is mostly expressed in colorectal epithelia and adenocarcinoma cells. ST13 functions to promote the efficiency of glucocorticoid receptor maturation in cells. The expression levels of the ST13 gene were significantly decreased in primary tumors compared with adjacent mucosa.