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GH is a member of the prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the GH locus on chromosome 17 where they are interspersed in the same transcriptional orientation; an arrangement which is thought to have evolved by a series of gene duplications. The five genes share a remarkably high degree of sequence identity. Alternative splicing generates additional isoforms of each of the five GHs, leading to further diversity and potential for specialization. This particular family member is expressed in the pituitary but not in placental tissue as is the case for the other four genes in the GH locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to GH deficiency and short stature.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to IFN-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to IFN-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

HBsAg is the surface antigen of the Hepatitis-B-Virus (HBV). The capsid of a virus has different surface proteins from the rest of the virus. The antigen is a protein that binds specifically on one of these surface proteins. It is commonly referred to as the Australian Antigen.

MGAT2 is an enzyme which takes part in the catalyzation of a crucial step in the reaction of oligomannose which converts to complex N-glycans. MGAT2 has three domains, classic to glycosyltransferase: short N-terminal cytoplasmic domain, a C-terminal catalytic domain and hydrophobic non-cleavable signal-anchor domain. The enzyme MGAT2 is encoded by the MGAT2 gene in humans. There are no introns in the DNA coding the gene, therefore mutations in the MGAT2 will result in carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome, type II.

Cell division protein kinase 5 (CDK5) belongs to the cyclin-dependent kinase family. CDK5 is essential for appropriate development of the brain and in order to be activated CDK5 must link to CDK5R1 or CDK5R2. CDK5 doesn't need phosphorylation on the T loop so that binding with the activator is enough to activate the kinase. CDK5 is engaged in the processes of neuronal maturation and migration, phosphorylating the central intracellular adaptor of the reeling signaling chain.

RPS24 is a member of the S24E family of ribosomal proteins. RPS24 is situated in the cytoplasm. Numerous transcript variations encoding different isoforms were identified for this gene. There are multiple processed pseudogenes of this gene distributed all over the genome just like other genes encoding ribosomal proteins. Alterations in RPS24 cause Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

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.

PHD finger protein 13 (PHF13) is necessary for normal chromosome separation during mitosis and also for normal chromosome condensation during the early stages of mitosis. PHF13 modulates chromatin structure.

Cytohesin 3 (CYTH3) belongs to the PSCD family, whose members have identical structural organization which consists of an N-terminal coiled-coil motif, a central Sec7 domain, and a C-terminal pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, and seem to mediate the regulation of protein sorting and membrane trafficking. CYTH3 is involved in the regulation of Golgi structure and function, and it might have a physiological role in regulating ADP-ribosylation factor protein 6 (ARF) functions, in addition to acting on ARF1.

OXM a 37 amino acid peptide which contains the glucagon sequence extended by a C-terminal basic octapeptide, its primary structure is identical in all mammals except in pig and cattle. OXM is released from the gut during digestion, together with glicentin another octapeptide containing molecule. It is considered as a putative physiological regulator of gastric acid secretion, it inhibits histamine.

TRAIL Receptor-1 (DR4) and TRAIL Receptor-2(DR5) are members of the TNFR superfamily of transmembrane proteins and contain a cytoplasmic "death domain", which is capable of activating the cell's apoptotic machinery. These receptors are activated by binding to either membrane anchored or soluble TRAIL/Apo2L.

Twisted gastrulation Protein (TSG) is a secreted, cysteine-rich protein which has a role in dorsal/ventral patterning in Drosophila and Xenopus by regulating BMP signaling. TSG functions as an agonist for BMP signaling by controlling the inhibitory actions of the BMP antagonist, Chordin/Sog, and the cleavage properties of the metalloprotease, xolloid/tolloid. TSG N-terminal domain binds BMP protein directly and displays BMP antagonist activity.

Granzyme-B (GZMB) is essential for target cell lysis in cell-mediated immune responses. GZMB is related to an activation cascade of caspases responsible for apoptosis execution. GZMB cuts caspase-3, -7, -9 and 10 to activate enzymes mediating apoptosis.

This gene is a member of the EPO/TPO family and encodes a secreted, glycosylated cytokine composed of four alpha helical bundles. The protein is found in the plasma and regulates red cell production by promoting erythroid differentiation and initiating hemoglobin synthesis. This protein also has neuroprotective activity against a variety of potential brain injuries and antiapoptotic functions in several tissue types.

H3N2 is a subtype of the influenza A virus. Its name derives from the forms of the two kinds of proteinson the surface of its coat, hemagglutinin(H) and neuraminidase(N). H3N2 exchanges genes for internal proteins with other influenza subtypes. H3N2 has tended to dominate in prevalence over H1N1, H1N2, and influenza B. H3N2 strain descended from H2N2 by antigenic shift, in which genes from multiple subtypes re-assorted to form a new virus. Both the H2N2and H3N2 strains contained genesfrom avian influenzaviruses.

HPGD is the essential enzyme of prostaglandin degradation. 15-PGDH protein strongly decreases the biologic activity of these molecules by catalyzing the oxidation of the 15-hydroxyl group of prostaglandins to a keto group. GDH1 is involved in numerous physiologic and cellular processes, for instance inflammation.

NGF-beta has nerve growth stimulating activity and the complex is involved in the regulation of growth and the differentiation of sympathetic and certain sensory neurons. Mutations in this gene have been associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, type 5 (HSAN5), and dysregulation of this gene's expression is associated with allergic rhinitis.

CD226 belongs to the Ig-superfamily containing 2 Ig-like domains of the V-set. CD226 is a 65kDa glycoprotein expressed on the surface NK cells, platelets, monocytes and a subset of T cells. CD226 facilitates cellular adhesion of platelets and megakaryocytic cells to vascular endothelial cells. CD226 also plays a role in megakaryocytic cell maturation.

Tribbles Pseudokinase 3, also known as TRIB3, is a putative protein kinase which is induced by the transcription factor NF-kappaB. In addition, TRIB3 is a negative regulator of NF-kappaB, and can as well sensitize cells to TNF- and TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, TRIB3 is able to negatively regulate the cell survival serine-threonine kinase AKT1. One of the diseases which are associated with TRIB3 is anoxia.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) belongs the Ser/Thr protein kinase family. CDK2 is highly parallel to the gene products of S. cerevisiae cdc28, and S. pombe cdc2. CDK2 is a catalytic subunit of the cyclin-dependent protein kinase complex, whose activity is limited to the G1-S phase, and is vital for cell cycle G1/S phase transition. The CDK2 protein associates with and is regulated by the regulatory subunits of the complex including cyclin A or E, CDK inhibitor p21Cip1 (CDKN1A) and p27Kip1 (CDKN1B). CDK2 activity is also regulated by protein phosphorylation.

Galectins are a family of animal lectins with an affinity for beta-galactosides. This family has at least 14 identified members. Galectins share similarities in the CRD (the carbohydrate recognition domain). Galectins are synthesized as cytosolic proteins. Though localized principally in the cytoplasm and lacking a classical signal peptide, galectins can also be stimulated to secretion by non-classical pathways or alternatively targeted to the nucleus. Galectins are involved in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Human Galectin-7 belongs to the prototypical Galectins containing a single CRD, which is initially identified in human epidermis as a monomer. The Galectin-7 expression is induced by tumor suppressor protein p53 and associated with apoptosis. Galectin-7 is a pro-apoptotic protein which functions intracellularlly upstream of JNK activation and mitochondrial cytochrome c release. The correlation of Galectin-7 with the UV-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes presents a critical mechanism in the maintenance of epidermal homeostasis. Human Galectin-7 is localized in both nucleus and cytoplasm.

Thioredoxins are small disulphide-containing redox proteins (within the conserved Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys active site) that have been found in all the kingdoms of living organisms. Thioredoxin contains a single disulfide active site and serves as a general protein disulphide oxidoreductase. Thioredoxins are involved in the first unique step in DNA synthesis. It interacts with a broad range of proteins by a redox mechanism based on reversible oxidation of two cysteine thiol groups to a disulphide, accompanied by the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The net result is the covalent interconversion of a disulphide and a dithiol. Trx also provides control over a number of transcription factors affecting cell proliferation and death through a mechanism referred to as redox regulation. It has been suggested that thioredoxin may catalyze the formation of correct disulfides during protein folding because of its ability to act as an efficient oxidoreductant. This could be especially useful in

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.

MDH2 catalyzes the reversible oxidation of malate to oxaloacetate, utilizing the NAD/NADH cofactor system in the citric acid cycle. MDH2 is localized to the mitochondria and takes part in the malate-aspartate shuttle that functions in the metabolic coordination between cytosol and mitochondria. MDH2 is highy expressed in the adrenal system, small intestine, heart and pancreas.