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Glutathione S-transferase omega 2 (GSTO2) is a member of the GST superfamily. GSTO2 is involved in catalyzing the reaction of glutathione with a broad range of organic compounds to form thioethers, a process which is vital for the metabolism and detoxification of a variety of xenobiotics and carcinogens. GSTO2 displays glutathione-dependent thiol transferase activity. GSTO2 has a high dehydroascorbate reductase activity and may be a factor in the recycling of ascorbic acid. GSTO2 also participates in the biotransformation of inorganic arsenic and reduces monomethylarsonic acid (MMA). GSTO2 is expressed in an array of tissues, including the liver, kidney, skeletal muscle and prostate, while the strongest expression is seen in the testis.

Rho-related GTP-binding protein RhoB (RhoB) belongs to the Rho GTP-binding protein family. RhoB facilitates apoptosis in neoplastically transformed cells after DNA damage. RhoB has a negative role in tumorigenesis since deletion causes tumor formation.

α-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. α-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 α-synuclein has chaperone activity and that this activity is lost upon removing its C-terminal acidic tail (amino acids 96-140).

Carboxymethylenebutenolidase homolog (CMBL) is a cysteine hydrolase of the dienelactone hydrolase family which is highly expressed in the liver cytosol. CMBL is the human homolog of Pseudomonas dienelactone hydrolase, which is a protein that participates in the bacterial halocatechol degradation pathway. CMBL which preferentially cleaves cyclic esters activates medoxomil-ester prodrugs in which the medoxomil moiety is coupled with an oxygen atom. CMBL is inhibited by PCMB (p-chloromercuribenzoate) and is encoded by a gene which maps to human chromosome 5p15.2. Furthermore, CMBL converts the prodrug olmesartan medoxomil into its pharmacologically active metabolite olmerstatan, which is an angiotensin receptor blocker, in the liver and intestine. CMBL can also activate beta-lactam antibiotics faropenem medoxomil and lenampicillin. CMBL is widely expressed, with the highest levels in the liver, followed by the kidney, small intestine and the colon.

IGFBP6 plays a role in lipoprotein assembly and dietary cholesterol absorption. in addition to its acyltransferase activity, it may act as a ligase. may provide cholesteryl esters for lipoprotein secretion from hepatocytes and intestinal mucosa.

S100 calcium binding protein A5 (S100A5) belongs to the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 family members are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a wide range of cells, and are involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100A5 has a Ca2+ affinity 20-100 fold higher than the other S100 proteins investigated under identical conditions. Furthermore, S100A5 protein binds Zn2+ and Cu2+, and Cu2+ strongly which harms the binding of Ca2+. S100A5 is expressed in very limited regions of the adult brain.

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.

Arylsulfatase A (ARSA) hydrolyzes cerebrosidesulfate to cerebroside and sulfate. ARSA is inhibited by phosphate. The phosphate develops a covalent bond with the active site 3-oxoalanine. ARSA gene defects cause metachromatic leucodystrophy (MLD), a progressive demyelination disease which results in various neurological symptoms and ultimately death.

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).

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.

STUB1, is a cytoplasmic protein whose amino acid sequence is highly preserved across species. STUB1 interacts with the molecular chaperones Hsc70-Hsp70 and Hsp90 through its TPR domain, whereas its U-box domain contains its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. STUB1 interaction with these molecular chaperones lead to in client substrate ubiquitylation and degradation by the proteasome. therefore, STUB1 acts to tilt the folding-refolding mechanism towards the degradative pathway, and it serves as a link between the two. STUB1 inhibits anchorage-independent cell growth and metastatic potential by degrading oncogenic proteins including SRC-3. Inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity of Her-2/neu by quercetin specifies an lateration in the Her-2/neu structure which promotes STUB1 recruitments and down-regulation of Her-2/neu. STUB1 recognizes and mediates degradation of toxic, oligomeric forms of alphaSyn.

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.

TNFRSF6B is a member of the Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. TNFRSF6B performs as a decoy receptor which races against death receptors for ligand binding. TNFRSF6B has a regulatory role in suppressing FasL- and LIGHT-mediated cell death and T cell activation in addition to inducing angiogenesis via neutralization of TL1A.

POU5F1 is a homeodomain transcription factor of the POU family, expressed in embryonic stem (ES) cells and embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells.POU5F1 is significantly involved in the signaling pathway for maintaining self-renewal and pluripotency of ES cells. POU5F1 has 2 distinct DNA binding domains which independently bind half-sites of the canonical octamer motif. This flexibility allows POU5F1 to bind with distinct DNA motifs by forming heterodimers with other transcription factors or by forming homodimers in several conformations. Human POU5F1 contains a 75aa POU specific (POUS) domain and a 60aa POU-Homeo-(POUH) domain connected by a linker region. The Human POU5F1 specifically interacts with Octamer motif ATGCAAAT. In addition, 2 proline-rich domains in the N-terminal and C-terminal regions are vital for POU5F1 transactivation. POU5F1 regulates a number of target genes and has been shown to work jointly with other transcription factors including Sox2 as well as Nanog to sustain stem cell potency and self-renewal.

USH1C gene product Harmonin, is a scaffold protein which functions in the assembly of Usher protein complexes. Harmonin is able to attach to various proteins in cell membranes and coordinate their activities. Harmonin contains PDZ domains, a coiled-coil region with a bipartite nuclear localization signal and a PEST degradation sequence. USH1C is expressed in the small intestine, colon, kidney, eye, vestibule of the inner ear and weakly in the pancreas.
Mutations in the USH1C gene cause the Usher syndrome type I which is an autosomal recessive sensory defect involving congenital profound sensorineural deafness, vestibular dysfunction, and blindness due to progressive retinitis pigmentosa. Sensorineural deafness is caused by damage to the neural receptors of the inner ear, the nerve pathways to the brain, or the area of the brain that receives sound information. The 3 types of the Usher syndrome (1- 3) are distinguished by age at onset and differences in auditory and vestibular function. USH1C gene defects cause of non-syndromic sensorineural deafness autosomal recessive type 18 (DFNB18), is a form of sensorineural hearing loss.

Carboxymethylenebutenolidase homolog (CMBL) is a cysteine hydrolase of the dienelactone hydrolase family which is highly expressed in the liver cytosol. CMBL is the human homolog of Pseudomonas dienelactone hydrolase, which is a protein that participates in the bacterial halocatechol degradation pathway. CMBL which preferentially cleaves cyclic esters activates medoxomil-ester prodrugs in which the medoxomil moiety is coupled with an oxygen atom. CMBL is inhibited by PCMB (p-chloromercuribenzoate) and is encoded by a gene which maps to human chromosome 5p15.2. CMBL can also activate beta-lactam antibiotics faropenem medoxomil and lenampicillin. CMBL is widely expressed, with the highest levels in the liver, followed by the kidney, small intestine and the colon.

VAPA is involved in vesicle traficking. VAPA is a type IV membrane protein. It is localized in the plasma membrane and intracellular vesicles. VAPA is related with the cytoskeleton. VAPA functions membrane fusion, protein complex assembly and cell motility. VAPA is an essential regulator both of the subcellular localization of protrudin and of its ability to stimulate neurite outgrowth.

Maltose Binding Protein is a member of the maltose/maltodextrin system of E.Coli, which is accountable for the uptake and efficient catabolism of maltodextrins. The maltose/maltodextrin is a complex regulatory and transport system involving many proteins and protein complexes.
MBP elevates the yield of its fusion partner in many cases and is often able to promote the solubility of polypeptides to which it is fused.

Charged multivesicular body protein 3 (VPS24/CHMP3) is a member of the vacuolar sorting protein family and function as chromatin modifying proteins. VPS24 links directly with CHMP2 and CHMP4 for the disassembly of ESCRT-III complex in an ATP-dependent manner. During HIV-1 infection, the virus uses the ESCRT-III complex to mediate budding and exocytosis of viral proteins. VPS24 overexpression strongly hinders HIV-1 release.

43 kDa receptor-associated protein of the synapse (RAPSN), is expressed in the postsynaptic membrane of skeletal muscle. RAPSN is essential for the clustering of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). In addition RAPSN self-associates via at least two of its seven tetra-tricopeptide repeats (TPRs). RAPSN interacts with the large intracellular domain of the nAChR a subunit all the way through the hydrophobic surface of the coiled-coil domain. RAPSN modifies trafficking of AChR within the cell. Overexpression inhibits agrin-induced AChR clustering pathway. RAPSN also plays a role in postsynaptic congenital myasthenic syndromes.

SARS Coronavirus is an enveloped virus containing three outer structural proteins, namely the membrane (M), envelope (E), and spike (S) proteins. Spike (S)-glycoprotein of the virus interacts with a cellular receptor and mediates membrane fusion to allow viral entry into susceptible target cells. Accordingly, S-protein plays an important role in virus infection cycle and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies.It has recently been shown that SARS is caused by a human coronavirus. Human coronaviruses are the major cause of upper respiratory tract illness in humans, such as the common cold. Coronaviruses are positive-stranded RNA viruses, featuring the largest viral RNA genomes known to date (27-31 kb). The first step in coronavirus infection is binding of the viral spike protein, a 139-kDa protein, to certain receptors on host cells. The spike protein is the main surface antigen of the coronavirus. The most prominent protein in the culture supernatants infected with SARS virus is a 46 kDa nucleocapsid protein. This suggests that the nucleocapsid protein is a major immunogen that may be useful for early diagnostics.

Babesiosis is a disease caused by apicomplexan parasites of the Babesia genus. The Babesia microti life cycle involves 2 hosts, which include a rodent, mainly the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and a tick in the Ixodes genus. During a blood meal, a Babesia-infected tick introduces sporozoites into the mouse host. Sporozoites pass into the erythrocytes and undergo asexual reproduction (budding). In the blood, some parasites differentiate into male and female gametes, though these cannot be distinguished by light microscopy. The definitive host is the tick. Once ingested by an proper tick, gametes unite and undergo a sporogonic cycle resulting in sporozoites. Transovarial transmission (aka vertical or hereditary transmission) has been detected for "large" Babesia species but not for the "small" Babesia, such as B. microti. Humans enter the cycle when bitten by the infected ticks. Thus during a blood meal, a Babesia-infected tick introduces sporozoites into the human host. Sporozoites then enter erythrocytes and undergo asexual replication (budding). Multiplication of the blood-stage parasites is responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease. Humans typically are dead-end hosts. However, human-to-human transmission is well acknowledged to occur via contaminated blood transfusions.

The FGFs are a family of more than 20 small (~17–26 kDa) secreted peptides. The initial characterization of these proteins focused on their ability to stimulate fibroblast proliferation. This mitogenic activity was mediated through FGF receptors (FGFRs) 1, 2, or 3. A fourth closely related tyrosine kinase receptor (FGFR4) was able to bind the FGFs but did not lead to a mitogenic response.
FGFs modulate cellular activity via at least 5 distinct subfamilies of high-affinity FGF receptors (FGFRs): FGFR-1, -2, -3, and -4, all with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity and, except for FGFR-4, multiple splice isoforms, and FGFR-5, which lacks an intracellular kinase domain. There is growing evidence that FGFRs can be important for regulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis. The overexpression of a dominant negative form of FGFR-1 in ? cells leads to diabetes in mice, which thus implies that proper FGF signaling is required for normal ? cell function and glycemia maintenance. FGFR-2 appears to be a key molecule during pancreatic development. Moreover, FGFR-4 has been implicated in cholesterol metabolism and bile acid synthesis.
FGF-21 is preferentially expressed in liver, but an exact knowledge of FGF-21 bioactivity and its mode of action have been lacking to date. FGF-21 is a potent activator of glucose uptake on adipocytes, protects animals from diet-induced obesity when overexpressed in transgenic mice, and lowers blood glucose and triglyceride levels when therapeutically administered to diabetic rodents.

Human Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) catalyzes the reaction between superoxide anions and hydrogen to yield molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme protects the cell against dangerous levels of superoxide. SOD1 binds copper and zinc ions and is 1 of 3 isozymes accountable for destroying free superoxide radicals in the body. The encoded protein neutralizes supercharged oxygen molecules, which can damage cells if their levels are not controlled. Mutations in SOD1 cause a form of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.