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Avidin is a tetrameric protein of 4 identical subunits (homotetramer) each of which can bind to biotin with a high degree of affinity and specificity. Avidin molecular weight in its tetrameric form is estimated to be between 66-69 kDa. Avidin is produced in the oviducts of birds, reptiles and amphibians and is subsequently deposited in the whites of their eggs. In the chicken egg white, avidin makes up roughly 0.05% of total protein (approximately 1.8 mg per egg). 10% of Avidin’s molecular weight is ascribed to carbohydrate content which is composed of four to five mannose and three N-acetylglucosamine residues. Avidin has at least three distinctive oligosaccharide structural type which are similar in structure and composition. The dissociation constant (KD) of avidin is approximately 10-15M, making it one of the strongest known non-covalent bonds.

CUB Domain Containing Protein 1, also known as CDCP1 is a transmembrane protein which contains three extracellular CUB domains. CDCP1 is implicated in cell adhesion and cell matrix association. In addition, CDCP1 takes part in the regulation of anchorage versus migration or proliferation versus differentiation through its phosphorylation. CDCP1 is also a novel marker for leukemia diagnosis as well as for immature hematopoietic stem cell subsets. Furthermore, the extracellular region of human CDCP1 shares amino acid identity sequence with the mouse CDCP1.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), identified as one of the transcription factors, has been found to play an essential role in cellular and systemic oxygen homeostasis. HIF-1 is a heterodimer composed of HIF-1b subunit and one of three subunits (Hif-1a, Hif-2 (or Hif-3)). The activation of Hif-1 (is closely associated with a variety of tumors and oncogenic pathways. Hif-1 (consists of DNA binding domain (DBD domain), Dimerization domain and C-terminal regulatory domains, including two transactivation domains (TAD), an oxygen-dependent degradation (ODD) domain, and inhibitory domains. Under hypoxic conditions HIF1A activates the transcription of more than 40 genes, including, erythropoietin, glucose transporters, glycolytic enzymes, VEGF, and other genes whose protein products increase oxygen delivery or facilitate metabolic adaptation to hypoxia. HIF-1A also plays a crucial role in embryonic vascularization, tumor angiogenesis and pathophysiology of ischemic disease. It binds to core DNA sequence 5'-[AG]CGTG-3' within the hypoxia response element (HRE) of target gene promoters. Activation involves recruitment of transcriptional coactivators such as CREBPB and EP300. Its activity is improved by interaction with both, NCOA1 or NCOA2. Interaction with redox regulatory protein APEX appears to activate CTAD and potentiates activation by NCOA1 and CREBBP. The induction is under reduced oxygen tension. HIF1A is also induced by a variety of receptor-mediated factors such as growth factors, cytokines, and circulatory factors for example PDGF, EGF, FGF-2, IGF-2, TGF-1 beta, HGF, TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, angiotensin-2 and thrombin. Nevertheless, this induction is less intense than that stimulated by hypoxia.

NDRG2 belongs to the N-myc downregulated gene family that is a part of the alpha/beta hydrolase superfamily. NDRG2 takes part in dendritic and neuronal cell differentiation and outgrowth and is found in large quantities in heart, dendritic cells, brain, salivary gland and skeletal muscle and in small quantities in kidney and liver. In Alzheimer Disease (AD)-affected patients NDRG2 is found in brain lesions and is believed to be related to the progression of AD.

Sperm Associated Antigen 7 (SPAG7) is comprised of 1 R3H domain. SPAG7 is detected in fetal brain and localized in the nucleus.

Rho-related GTP-binding protein (RhoD) is a member of the small GTPase superfamily. The small GTPase Rho D promotes the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton and cell surface and also regulates endosome motility and distribution.

JAZF zinc finger 1 (JAZF1) is a nuclear protein with 3 C2H2-type zinc fingers, which functions as a transcriptional repressor. Chromosomal anomalies involving the JAZF1 are linked with endometrial stromal tumors. Alternatively spliced variants which encode different protein isoforms have been described; though, not all variants have been fully characterized.

Peroxisome proliferators are non-genotoxic carcinogens which are purported to exert their effect on cells through their interaction with members of the nuclear hormone receptor family termed peroxisome proliferators activated receptors (PPARs). Nuclear hormone receptors are ligand-dependent intracellular proteins that stimulate transcription of specific genes by binding to specific DNA sequences following activation by the appropriate ligand. Studies indicate that PPARs are activated by peroxisome proliferators such as clofibric acid, nafenopin, and WY-14,643, as well as by some fatty acids.

Gastrokine-2 (GKN2) is expressed in the gastric mucosa. GKN2 forms a heterodimer with TFF1- disulfide linked. GKN2 interacts with TFF2.

Troponin Complex is a heteromeric protein playing an important role in the regulation of skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction. It consists of three subunits, Troponin I , Troponin T and Troponin C. Each subunit is responsible for part of Troponin Complex function. E.g. Troponin I inhibits ATP-ase activity of acto-myosin. Troponin T and Troponin I are presented in cardiac muscles in different forms than in skeletal muscles. Purified subunits of rcTnI, rcTnC and rcTnT are recomplexed in vitro under appropriate conditions.

PEST proteolytic signal containing nuclear protein (PCNP) is a nuclear protein involved in cell cycle regulation and tumorigenesis. The PCNP protein is ubiquitinated post-translationally by NIRF (an ubiquitin ligase). The PCNP exists as 3 isoforms produced by alternative splicing events.

ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 5B (ARL5B) is a member of a family of proteins which are structurally similar to ADP-ribosylation factors. ARLs and ARFs belong to the RAS superfamily of regulatory GTPases. ARL5B is most closely related to ARL5, with which it shares 80% sequence identity. Furthermore, Human ARL5B shares 100% identity with mouse ARL8 and 71% identity with the Drosophila homolog.

Zinc Finger, CCHC Domain Containing 12 (ZCCHC12) which holds 1 CCHC-type zinc finger is a part of the ZCCHC12 family. ZCCHC12 takes part in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-signaling pathway as a transcriptional coactivator. BMP signaling is positively modulated as a result of the interaction between ZCCHC12 with SMAD1 and the association with CBP in the transcription complex.

SCO Cytochrome Oxidase Deficient Homolog 1, also known as SCO1 is a member of the SCO1/2 family. Mammalian cytochrome c oxidase (COX) catalyzes the transfer of reducing equivalents from cytochrome c to molecular oxygen and pumps protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Furthermore, in yeast, two related COX assembly genes, SCO1 & SCO2 which are synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase, enable subunits 1 as well as 2 to be incorporated into the holoprotein. This gene is the human homolog to the yeast SCO1 gene. Among the diseases associated with SCO1 are hepatic failure, early-onset, neurologic disorder due to cytochrome c oxidase deficiency and fatal infantile cytochrome c oxidase deficiency.

The secreted polypeptide noggin, encoded by the NOG gene, binds and inactivates members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling proteins, such as bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4). By diffusing through extracellular matrices more efficiently than members of the TGF-beta superfamily, noggin may have a principal role in creating morphogenic gradients. Noggin appears to have pleiotropic effect, both early in development as well as in later stages. It was originally isolated from Xenopus based on its ability to restore normal dorsal-ventral body axis in embryos that had been artificially ventralized by UV treatment. The results of the mouse knockout of noggin suggest that it is involved in numerous developmental processes, such as neural tube fusion and joint formation. Recently, several dominant human NOG mutations in unrelated families with proximal symphalangism (SYM1) and multiple synostoses syndrome (SYNS1) were identified; both SYM1 and SYNS1 have multiple joint fusion as their principal feature, and map to the same region (17q22) as NOG. All NOG mutations altered evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of human noggin is highly homologous to that of Xenopus, rat and mouse.

Nedd4 Family Interacting Protein 1 (NDFIP1) is a part of a small group of evolutionarily conserved proteins having 3 ransmembrane domains. NDFIP1 is a possible target for ubiquitination by the Nedd4 family of proteins. NDFIP, which is a member of a family of integral Golgi membrane proteins, also modulates EGFR signaling through multiple pathways.

Eptifibatide binds to the platelet receptor glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa of human platelets and inhibits platelet aggregation. Eptifibatide is a cyclic peptide derived from a protein discovered in the venom of the southeastern pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarus barbouri). Eptifibatide belongs to the arginin-glycin-aspartat-mimetics and reversibly binds to platelets.

The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a family of secreted signaling molecules that can induce ectopic bone growth. Many BMPs are part of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) superfamily. BMPs were originally identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site. Based on its expression early in embryogenesis, the BMP encoded by this gene has a proposed role in early development. In addition, the fact that this BMP is closely related to BMP5 and BMP7 has lead to speculation of possible bone inductive activity.

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the glial cell line-derived neurotophic factor (GDNF) family of ligands which are a group of ligands within the TGF-beta superfamily of signaling molecules. GDNFs are unique in having neurotrophic properties and have potential use for gene therapy in neurodegenrative disease. Artemin has been shown in culture to support the survival of a number of periferal neuron populations and at least one population of dopaminergic CNS neurons. Its role in the PNS and CNS is further substantiated by its expression pattern in the proximity of these neurons. This protein is a ligand for the RET receptor and uses GFR-alpha 3 as a coreceptor. Four alternatively spliced transcripts have been described, two of which encode the same protein.

CUTC belongs to the Cut family and may be involved in efflux trafficking of cuprous ion. The Cut family is linked with the copper homeostasis and involved in several vital metabolisms, such as uptake, storage, delivery, and efflux of copper. Copper which is an essential heavy metal trace element has an imperative role in cell physiology.

C3d is derived from human C3 after a series of proteolytic cleavages.C3d is prepared from purified human C3. The C3 is converted to C3b by treatment with the natural human C3 convertase and this C3b is converted to iC3b. Finally, this iC3b is cleaved with trypsin to yield C3d.If the C3b precursor was attached to a surface (as occurs during complement activation) the iC3b, C3dg and C3d fragments would remain covalently attached to that surface.C3d is able to attach to a surfaceonly during complement activation on a surface. Surface-bound C3d is linked to the target through an ester or an amide covalent bond. Ester bonds are unstable, thusC3d releasesfrom the particle.

PMP2 is a small protein found in peripheral nerve myelin and spinal cord myelin, belongs to a family of fatty acid binding proteins. PMP2 partly decreases the inhibitory effect of T suppressors in the culture of immune lymph node cells. PMP2 protein is a lipid transport protein in schwann cells.

EIF1AX is an important eukaryotic translation initiation factor. EIF1AX is essential for the binding of the 43S complex (a 40S subunit, eIF2/GTP/Met-tRNAi and eIF3) to the 5'' end of capped RNA. EIF1AP1 is needed for maximal rate of protein biosynthesis. EIF1AX increases ribosome dissociation into subunits and stabilizes the binding of the initiator Met-tRNA (I) to 40 S ribosomal subunits.