Search results

Activins are homodimers or heterodimers of the different β subunit isoforms, part of the TGFβ family. Mature Activin A has two 116 amino acids residues βA subunits (βA-βA). Activin displays an extensive variety of biological activities, including mesoderm induction, neural cell differentiation, bone remodelling, haematopoiesis, and reproductive physiology. Activins takes part in the production and regulation of hormones such as FSH, LH, GnRH and ACTH. Cells that are identified to express Activin A include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, hepatocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, keratinocytes, osteoclasts, bone marrow monocytes, prostatic epithelium, neurons, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and ovarian granulosa cells.

Platelet factor-4 is a 70-amino acid protein that is released from the alpha-granules of activated platelets . Its major physiologic role appears to be neutralization of molecules on the endothelial surface of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting local antithrombin III activity and promoting coagulation. As a strong chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts, PF4 probably has a role in inflammation and wound repair. Oncostatin-A is a member of the CXC chemocinfamily. Human PF4 is used for the proof of induced thrombocytopenia. Furthermore it is used as an inhibitor in the angiogenesis during tumor therapy.

EPM2A is a dual-specificity phosphatase which associates with polyribosomes. The EPM2A protein may be involved in the regulation of glycogen metabolism. Mutations in the EPM2A gene have been linked to myoclonic epilepsy of Lafora.

SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) is small cytokine belonging to the chemokine family that is officially designated Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12). It is produced in two forms, SDF-1?/CXCL12a and SDF-1?/CXCL12b, by alternate splicing of the same gene. Chemokines are characterized by the presence of four conserved cysteines, which form two disulfide bonds. The CXCL12 proteins belong to the group of CXC chemokines, whose initial pair of cysteines are separated by one intervening amino acid. CXCL12 is strongly chemotactic for lymphocytes and has been implicated as an important cell co-ordinator during development. During embryogenesis it directs the migration of hematopoietic cells from foetal liver to bone marrow. Mice which were knocked-out for CXCL12 gene were lethal before the birth or within just 1 hour of life. As another role, CXCL12a alters also the electrophysiology of neurons. CXCL12 was shown to be expressend in many tissues in mice (including brain, thymus, heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and bone marrow).
The receptor for this chemokine is CXCR4, which was previously called fusin. This CXCL12-CXCR4 interaction used to be considered exclusive (unlike for other chemokines and their receptors), but recently it was suggested that CXCL12 is also bound by CXCR7 receptor.
The gene for CXCL12 is located on human chromosome 10. In human and mouse both CXCL12 and CXCR4 show high identity of sequence: 99% and 90%, respectively.

Biglycan (BGN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which takes part in assembly of collagen fibrils and muscle regeneration. BGN is closely correlated in structure to two other small proteoglycans, decorin and fibromodulin. BGN interacts with several proteins involved in muscular dystrophy, including alpha-dystroglycan, alpha- and gamma-sarcoglycan and collagen VI. BGN is also critical for the assembly of the dystrophin-associated protein complex.

Cyclin B1 (CCNB1) is a regulatory protein involved in mitosis. CCNB1 creates a complex with p34(cdc2) to form the maturation-promoting factor (MPF). CCNB1 is vital for the control of the cell cycle at the G2/M (mitosis) transition. CCNB1 builds up steadily during the G2 and is immediately destroyed at mitosis. The 2 alternative transcripts produce a constitutively expressed transcript and a cell cycle-regulated transcript which is expressed predominantly during G2/M phase. These transcripts are a result of alternate transcription initiation sites.

CAMP Responsive Element Binding Protein 3-Like 2, also known as CREB3L2 belongs to the oasis bZIP transcription factor family. Members of this family are able to dimerize however from homodimers only. CREB3L2 is a transcriptional activator. Translocations between CREB3L2 on chromosome 7 and the gene fused in sarcoma on chromosome 16 can be found in some tumors. One disease which is associated with CREB3L2 is myxofibrosarcoma.

Caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, each serotype is sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. In cell culture experiments and mice Morpholino antisense oligos have shown specific activity against Dengue virus.

TBE is caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the family Flaviviridae.
A closely related virus in Far Eastern Eurasia, Russian spring-summer encephalitis virus (RSSEV).
The family Flaviviridae includes other tick-borne viruses are closely related to TBEV and RSSEV, such as Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus & Kyasanur Forest virus.
Louping ill virus is also a member of this family.

Caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, each serotype is sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. In cell culture experiments and mice Morpholino antisense oligos have shown specific activity against Dengue virus.

Recombinant Protein A/G fusion protein joins IgG binding domains of both Protein A and Protein G.
Protein A/G includes four Fc binding domains from Protein A and two from Protein G, yielding a final mass of 50.4 kDa. The binding dependency to pH of Protein A/G lower than Protein A, but has the additive properties of Protein A and G together. Protein A/G binds to all subclasses of human IgG, making it helpful for purifying polyclonal or monoclonal IgG antibodies whose subclasses have not been identifieed. Protein A/G binds to IgA, IgE, IgM and IgD. Protein A/G binds to all subclasses of mouse IgG excluding mouse IgA, IgM or serum albumin. This permits Protein A/G to be used in purification and detection of mouse monoclonal IgG antibodies, with no interference from IgA, IgM and serum albumin. Mouse monoclonal antibodies normally have a stronger affinity to the chimeric Protein A/G than to either Protein A or Protein G. Protein A/G also has been used for purification of macaque IgG.

HIV-1 Nef is anessential factor for efficient viral replication and pathogenesis and therefore is produced shortly after virus infection. HIV-1 Nef is also facilitates virus replication and enhances virions infectivity. Nef exerts pleiotropic effects: decreases cell surface CD4 antigen by interacting with the Src family kinase LCK, down-modulates surface MHC-I molecules and protects the infected cell from apoptosis in order to keep it alive until the next virus generation is mature. Nef protein bypasses host T-cell signaling byinducing a trascriptional program almost identical to that of anti-CD3 cell activation.

Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (PCC) is a combination of several blood clotting factors II, VII, IX and X. PCC is used in the treatment of the congenital bleeding disorders associated with Factors II, VII, IX, and X deficiencies. PCC reverses the effect of warfarin (a coumarin anti-coagulant) and is used in cases of significant bleeding in patients with a coagulopathy, for example, gastrointestinal haemorrhage or intracranial haemorrhage. The PCC is also extensively used in treating acquired coagulation abnormalities secondary to vitamin K deficiency, warfarin ingestion, and various types of liver disease.
Hepatitis, anaphylaxis and thrombosis have been reported as complications of prothrombin complex concentrates administration.

Somatostatin (also known as growth hormone inhibiting hormone (GHIH) or somatotropin release-inhibiting hormone (SRIF) is a peptide hormone that regulates the endocrine systemand affects neurotransmission and cell proliferation via interaction with G-protein-coupled somatostatin receptors and inhibition of the release of numerous secondary hormones. Somatostatin has two active forms produced by alternative cleavage of a single preproprotein: one of 14 amino acids, the other of 28 amino acids.

Human Oxytocin stimulates uterine smooth muscle contractions indirectly and stimulates the mammary glands to increase lactation without increasing the production of milk.

Interleukin-4 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced primarily by activated T lymphocytes, basophils and mast cells. Multiple immune response-modulating functions are performed by IL-4 on a variety of cell types and it has an important role in the regulator of isotype switching, induction of IgE production in B lymphocytes and differentiation of precursor T helper cells. IL-4 binds to both membrane-bound and secreted soluble IL-4 receptors.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor also called LIF is a lymphoid factor that promotes long-term maintenance of embryonic stem cells by suppressing spontaneous differentiation. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor has several functions such as cholinergic neuron differentiation, control of stem cell pluripotency, bone & fat metabolism, mitogenesis of factor dependent cell lines & promotion of megakaryocyte production in vivo. Human and mouse LIF exhibit a 78% identity in its amino acid sequence.

IFN-alpha is produced by macrophages and has antiviral activities. Interferon stimulates the production of two enzymes: protein kinase and an oligoadenylate synthetase.

CD320 is a part of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, having 2 low-density lipoprotein receptor type A domains divided by a complement-like cysteine-rich region. CD320 participates in cobalamin uptake and internalizes the complex by endocytosis. CD320 is also plays a role as costimulator to promote B cell and follicular dendritic cells responses. CD320 is also known to augment the proliferation of PC precursors generated by IL-10.

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. CSF-1 induces cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. It plays a role in immunological defenses, bone metabolism, lipoproteins clearance, fertility and pregnancy.

Atosiban is the first oxytocin antagonist to be specifically developed for the treatment of preterm labor. Atosiban has a specific mode of action, inhibiting oxytocin-induced uterine contractions by blocking oxytocin receptors in the uterus. Extensive clinical investigations have shown Atosiban to be at least as effective as current tocolytic agents. In addition, due to its novel and specific mode of action, Atosiban has a markedly improved maternal side effects profile compared with conventional therapies.

Platelet factor-4 is a 70-amino acid protein that is released from the alpha-granules of activated platelets. Its major physiologic role appears to be neutralization of molecules on the endothelial surface of blood vessels, thereby inhibiting local antithrombin III activity and promoting coagulation. As a strong chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts, PF4 probably has a role in inflammation and wound repair. Oncostatin-A is a member of the CXC chemokine family. Furthermore it is used as an inhibitor in the angiogenesis during tumor therapy.