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KLK2 is a part of the grandular kallikrein protein family whose Members are engaged in a diverse array of biological functions. Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases which are clustered on chromosome 19. KLK2 is a highly active trypsin-like serine protease which selectively cleaves at arginine remains. KLK2 is mostly expressed in prostatic tissue and is accountable for cleaving pro-prostate-specific antigen into its enzymatically active form. KLK2 is greatly expressed in prostate tumor cells and may possibly be a prognostic maker for prostate cancer risk.

MMADHC is a mitochondrial protein which takes part in an early step of vitamin B1 2 metabolism. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is vital for regular development and existence in humans. Mutations in MMADHC can result in methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria type cblD, a cobalamin metabolism syndrome which is characterized by decreased levels of the coenzymes methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin.

APRIL which is a part of the TNF ligand superfamily (TNFSF13) is a type II transmembrane protein. Normally, APRIL expression is low in tissues, but is elevated in numerous types of tumors and transformed cell lines.

NDUFV3 is one of no less than 41 subunits which form the NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex that is involved in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and assists in catalyzing the rotenone-sensitive oxidation of NADH and the reduction of ubiquinone. NDUFV3 is 1 of 3 proteins found in the flavoprotein fraction of the complex but it exact function is unknown. Two transcript variants encoding altered isoforms are known for this gene.

NMRAL1 is a redox sensor protein which goes through reformation and subcellular rearrangement in reaction to alterations in intracellular NADPH/NADP+ levels. When the NADPH concentration is low the protein is found mostly as a monomer, and binds argininosuccinate synthase (ASS1), which takes part in nitric oxide synthesis. Association with ASS1 defects NMRAL1 activity and diminishes the production of nitric oxide, which then inhibits apoptosis. When the NADPH concentration is normal , the protein is found as a dimer and hides the binding site for ASS1.

PINX1 is a common expressed protein that localizes to nucleoli and telomere speckles. PINX1 contains a Telomerase Inhibiting Domain that is caable of binding MCRS1, TERT and TERF1. PINX1 has been shown to be a potent telomerase inhibitor and putative tumor suppressor. PINX1 is recruited to chromosome periphery by Nucleolin, their complex is necessary for faithful chromosome congression. PINX1 regulates the nucleolar accumulation and telomeric association of TRF1. PINX1 is involved in gastric cancer development. PINX1 expression is a sign of gastric cancer development. Constitutive expression of PINX1 attributes to telomere maintenance by telomerase and tumorigenicity in cancer cells.

U2AF1 is a member of the splicing factor SR family. U2 auxiliary factor, comprising a large and asmall subunit, is a non-snRNP protein essential for the binding of U2 snRNP to the pre-mRNA branch site.U2AF1 is the small subunit which plays a vital role in both constitutive and enhancer-dependent RNA splicing bydirectly mediating interactions between the large subunit and proteins bound to the enhancers. U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 1 (U2AF1) is a protein-coding gene. Among the diseases which are associated with U2AF1:Myoclonus Epilepsy and progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy.

Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein 7 (VAMP7) is a member of the synaptobrevin family. VAMP7 is a transmembrane protein, which is a member of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) family. VAMP7 is involved in the targeting and/or fusion of transport vesicles to their target membrane during transport of proteins from the early endosome to the lysosome. VAMP7 localizes to late endosomes and lysosomes and is involved in the fusion of transport vesicles to their target membranes. VAMP7 is essential for heterotypic fusion of late endosomes with lysosomes and homotypic lysosomal fusion. It is also necessary for calcium regulated lysosomal exocytosis. In addition, VAMP7 is involved in the export of chylomicrons from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cis Golgi. Furthermore, VAMP7 is needed for exocytosis of mediators during eosinophil and neutrophil degranulation, and target cell killing by natural killer cells.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) is also known as "extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2" (ERK2). Two similar (85% sequence identity) protein kinases were originally called ERK1 and ERK2. They were found during a search for protein kinases that are rapidly phosphorylated after activation of cell surface tyrosine kinases such as the epidermal growth factor receptor. Phosphorylation of ERKs leads to the activation of their kinase activity.The molecular events linking cell surface receptors to activation of ERKs are complex. It was found that Ras GTP-binding proteins are involved in the activation of ERKs. Another protein kinase, Raf-1, was shown to phosphorylate a "MAPK kinase", thus qualifying as a "MAPK kinase kinase". The MAPK kinase was named "MAPK/ERK kinase" (MEK). Receptor-linked tyrosine kinases, Ras, Raf, MEK and MAPK could be fitted into a signaling cascade linking an extracellular signal to MAPK activation Transgenic gene knockout mice lacking MAPK1 have major defe

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8, also known as MAPK8, is a part of the MAP kinase family. MAP kinases an integration point for multiple biochemical signals which take part in a various cellular processes. MAPK8 is a protein coding gene which is also involved in UV radiation induced apoptosis that is associated to cytochrom c-mediated cell death pathway.

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, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ? and ? 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.

FHIT is a member of the histidine triad gene family. FHIT gene encodes a diadenosine 5',5'''-P1,P3-triphosphate hydrolase involved in purine metabolism. FHIT gene includes the common fragile site FRA3B on chromosome 3, where carcinogen-induced damage can lead to translocations and abnormal transcripts of this gene. The FHIT protein is a tumor suppressor with reduced or no expression in numerous types of cancer. FHIT may also act as a tumor suppressor in normal cells. Alterations and deletions of the FHIT (Fragile Histidine Triad) gene are strongly linked to the genesis and establishment of human tumors of the lung, cervix, breast, colon, stomach, and pancreas. The expression of FHIT is more often lost in cancers of individuals with familial mutations causing deficiency in DNA repair genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2 and MSH2. In vitro FHIT functions as a hydrolase that cleaves diadenosine triphosphate (Ap3A) to ADP and AMP. The FHIT -Ap3A enzyme-substrate complex seems to be the tumor suppressor signal. The restoration of FHIT expression in FHIT -deficient cancer cells leads to apoptosis, involving the intrinsic caspase pathway, in cancer-derived cells and in tumor xenografts.

HB-EGF is an EGF related growth factor which signals via the EGF receptor, and stimulates the proliferation of SMC (smooth muscle cells), fibroblasts, epithelial cells and keratinocytes. HB-EGF is expressed in various cell types and tissues, including vascular endothelial cells and SMC, macrophages, skeletal muscle, keratinocytes and particular tumor cells. HB-EGF’s ability to explicitly bind heparin and heparin sulfate proteoglycans is dissimilar from other EGF-like molecules, and might be related to the enhanced mitogenic activity, relative to EGF, that HB-EGF exerts on smooth muscle cells.

DKK1 is part of the dickkopf family. DKK1 is a secreted protein with 2 cysteine rich regions and takes part in embryonic development through its inhibition of the WNT signaling pathway. High levels of DKK1 in bone marrow plasma and peripheral blood is associated with the presence of osteolytic bone lesions in patients with multiple myeloma. Induction of DKK1 contributes to the pathological cascade triggered by beta-amyloid and is significantly involved in the development of tau phosphorylation.
DKK1 reduces the differentiation of osteoblastic precursor cells. DKK1 is an important member in multiple myeloma bone disease. DKK1 expression is reduced in human colon tumors, implying that DKK-1 plays a role as a tumor suppressor gene in this neoplasia; the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is downregulated by the induction of DKK1 expression, a mechanism that is missing in colon cancer.

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.

MICB (MHC class I chain-related gene B) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that functions as a ligand for human NKG2D type II receptor. A closely related protein, MICA, shares 85% amino acid identity with MICB. These 2 proteins are distantly related to the MHC class I proteins. MICA and MICB (MICA/B) possess three extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, but have no capacity to bind peptide or interact with ?2-microglobulin. The genes encoding MICA/B are found within the major histocompatibility complex on human chromosome 6. The MICB locus is polymorphic with more than 15 recognized human alleles. MICA/B are minimally expressed on normal cells, but are frequently expressed on epithelial tumors and can be induced by bacterial and viral infections. MICA/B are ligands for NKG2D, an activating receptor expressed on NK cells, NKT cells, ?? T cells, and CD8+ ?? T cells. Recognition of MICA/B by NKG2D results in the activation of cytolytic activity and/or cytokine production by these effector cells. MICA/B recognition is involved in tumor surveillance, viral infections, and autoimmune diseases. The release of soluble forms of MICA/B from tumors down-regulates NKG2D surface expression on effector cells resulting in the impairment of anti-tumor immune response.

Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) antagonizes canonical Wnt signaling by inhibiting LRP5/6 interaction with Wnt and by creating a ternary complex with the transmembrane protein KREMEN which promotes internalization of LRP5/6. DKKs have a significant role in vertebrate development, where they locally inhibit Wnt controlled processes for instance antero-posterior axial patterning, limb development, somitogenesis and eye formation. Furthermore, Dkks are involved in bone formation and bone disease, cancer and Alzheimer disease in Adults.

GNMT is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of S-adenosyl-L-methionine with glycine to S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine. GNMT is located in the cytoplasm and acts as a homotetramer. Defects in the GNMT gene causes of GNMT deficiency (hypermethioninemia). GNMT affects DNA methylation by regulating the ratio of S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocystine and is involved in the detoxification pathway in liver cells. GNMT expression is diminished in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). GNMT catalyzes the methylation of glycine by using s- adenosylmethionine (adomet) to form n-methylglycine with the concomitant production of s-adenosylhomocysteine (adohcy). GNMT plays an essential role in the regulation of tissue concentration of adomet and of metabolism of methionine.

The somatomedins, or insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), comprise a family of peptides that play important roles in mammalian growth and development. IGF1 mediates many of the 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). Three main somatomedins have been characterized: somatomedin C (IGF1), somatomedin A (IGF2; MIM 147470), and somatomedin B (MIM 193190) (Rotwein, 1986; Rosenfeld, 2003).

SNRPD3 is a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNPs) that contains the spliceosome in eukaryotes. SNRPD3 is essential for pre-mRNA splicing and small nuclear ribonucleoprotein biogenesis. Alternative splicing happens in this locus and two transcript variants encoding the same protein were branded.

Interleukin-18 Binding Protein (IL18BP) serves as an inhibitor of the proinflammatory cytokine, IL18. IL18BP binds IL18, inhibits the binding of IL18 to its receptor, and consequently inhibits IL18-induced IFN-gamma production, resulting in reduced T-helper type 1 immune responses. The IL18BP protein is constitutively expressed and secreted in mononuclear cells. Elevated levels of IL18BP protein are detected in the intestinal tissues of patients with Crohn's disease.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) or classical MAP kinases are widely expressed protein kinaseintracellular signalingmolecules which are involved in functions including the regulation of meiosis, mitosis, and postmitotic functions in differentiated cells. Many different stimuli, including growth factors, cytokines, virusinfection, ligands for heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors, transforming agents, and carcinogens, activate the ERK pathway.
The term, "extracellular signal-regulated kinases", is sometimes used as a synonym for mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), but has more recently been adopted for a specific subset of the mammalianMAPK family. In the MAPK/ERK pathway, Rasactivates c-Raf, followed by MEKand then MAPK1/2 (below). Ras is typically activated by growth hormones through receptor tyrosine kinasesand GRB2/SOS, but may also receive other signals. ERKs are known to activate many transcription factors and some downstream protein kinases. Disruption of the ERK pathway is common in cancers, especially Ras, c-Raf and receptors such as HER2.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) is also known as "extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1" (ERK1). Transgenic gene knockoutmice lacking MAPK3 are viable and it is thought that MAPK1 can fulfill most MAPK3 functions in most cells. The main exception is in T cells. Mice lacking MAPK3 have reduced T cell development past the CD4+CD8+ stage.

Omentin is a recently recognized gene highly localized to the mental tissue (visceral adipose tissue). Omentin is present in the stromal vascular cells in the adipose tissue rather than in the adipocytes. Omentin is predominantly expressed in the visceral adipose tissue than the subcutaneous tissue, with the omentin mRNA being 150 times higher in the visceral adipose tissue. Omentin has also been detected in human blood using western blot analysis, and seems to increase insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in mice. Omentin seems to increase Akt phosphorylation irrespective of insulin presence. Its role in glucose metabolism and obesity remains to be described; an insulin-sensitizing action is possible.Differences in Omentin expression has been noted in adipose tissue from normals and patients with inflammatory bowel disease although its significance is unknown.

Tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TACSTD2), is a member of to the EPCAM family. TACSTD2 is an intronless gene which encodes a carcinoma-associated antigen. TACSTD2 may act as a growth factor receptor and as a cell surface receptor that transduces calcium signals. Mutations of TACSTD2 have been associated with gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy.