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KGF is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. FGF7 is a potent epithelial cell-specific growth factor, whose mitogenic activity is predominantly exhibited in keratinocytes but not in fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Studies of mouse and rat homologs of this gene implicated roles in morphogenesis of epithelium, reepithelialization of wounds, hair development and early lung organogenesis.

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.

Regulator of G-protein signaling 14 (RGS14) is a member of the regulator of G protein signaling family. RGS14 contains one RGS domain, 2 Raf-like Ras-binding domains (RBDs) and one GoLoco motif. RGS14 reduces the signaling activity of G-proteins by binding, via its GoLoco domain, to specific types of activated, GTP-bound G alpha subunits. RGS14 is a scaffolding protein which integrates G protein and H-Ras/ERK/MAP kinase signaling pathways, thus making it suitably positioned to repress plasticity in CA2 neurons. Since RGS14 is highly enriched in CA2 pyramidal neurons, it has a role in inhibition of both synaptic plasticity at these synapses and hippocampal-based learning and memory.

CAMLG binds to cyclophilin B and operates downstream of the TCR and upstream of calcineurin by causing an influx of calcium. CAMLG is an essential membrane protein that takes part in the calcium signal transduction pathway, connecting cyclophilin B to calcium signaling.

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.

CFLAR contains two death effector domains (DEDs) and a caspase-like domain. CFLAR may play a critical role between cell survival and cell death pathway in mammalian cells. CFLAR also interacts with adapter protein FADD and caspase-8 and -10, and potently inhibits apoptosis induced by all known death receptors DR3 (death receptor 3), TRAIL-R (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor) and TNFR1 (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1).

Regulator of G-protein signaling 5 (RGS5) binds directly to activated G alpha subunits and act as GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) in order to weaken and/or modulate hormone and neurotransmitter receptor-initiated signaling by both G alpha-GTP and G beta gamma. Vascular endothelial cells express the RGS protein RGS5, where it correlates with capillary morphogenesis, consequently rendering it a candidate gene involved in capillary growth, angiogenesis, and also possibly the pathophysiology of stroke.

Akt1, also known as "Akt" or protein kinaseB (PKB) is an important molecule in mammaliancellular signaling.
In humans, there are three genes in the "Akt family": Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3. These enzymesare members of the serine/threonine-specific protein kinasefamily (EC2.7.11.1).
Akt1 is involved in cellular survival pathways, by inhibiting apoptoticprocesses. Akt1 is also able to induce protein synthesispathways, and is therefore a key signaling protein in the cellular pathways that lead to skeletal muscle hypertrophy, and general tissue growth. Since it can block apoptosis, and thereby promote cell survival, Akt1 has been implicated as a major factor in many types of cancer. Akt (now also called Akt1) was originally identified as the oncogenein the transforming retrovirus, AKT8.

RGS1 belongs to the regulator of G-protein signaling family. The RGS1 protein is situated on the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane and contains a conserved, 120 amino acid motif termed the RGS domain. RGS1 diminish s the signaling activity of G-proteins by binding to activated, GTP-bound G alpha subunits and performing as a GTPase activating protein (GAP), boosting the rate of conversion of the GTP to GDP. This hydrolysis allows the G alpha subunits to bind G beta/gamma subunit heterodimers, creating inactive G-protein heterotrimers, thus terminating the signal.

TXNDC12 is a member of the thioredoxin super family. This Family members have a thioredoxin fold with a consensus active-site sequence (CxxC) and take part in redox regulation, protection against oxidative stress, refolding of disulfide-containing proteins, and regulation of transcription factors.

Gankyrin (proteasome 26S subunit) is a multicatalytic proteinase oncoprotein commonly overexpressed in most hepatocellular carcinomas. Proteasomes are found throughout eukaryotic cells at a high concentrations and cleave peptides in an ATP/ubiquitin-dependent process in a non-lysosomal pathway. Gankyrin interacts with S6 ATPase of the 19S regulatory particle of the 26S proteasome. Gankyrin is involved in theregulation of the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein by CDK4, and to enhance the ubiquitinylation of p53 by MDM2. Gankyrin consists of 7 ankyrin repeats and is structurally similar to I kappa Bs. Gankyrin acts as a regulatory subunit of the 26s proteasome which is involved in the atp-dependent degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. Gankyrin is involved in progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. gankyrin plays an oncogenic role especially in early stages of human epatocarcinogenesis. Gankyrin binds to NF-kappaB and suppresses its activity at the transcription level by modulating acetylation through SIRT1. Structural comparison between Gankyrin & p16(INK4A) identified numerous residues of gankyrin that are potentially important for CDK4 binding.

RGS2 belongs to the RGS family which are regulatory molecules that act as GTPase activating proteins for G alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. RGS2 inhibits signal transduction by increasing the GTPase activity of G protein alpha subunits and as a result driving them into their inactive GDP-bound form.

PA2G4 belongs to the peptidase M24C family and functions as an RNA-binding protein involved in cellular proliferation and differentiation processes. PA2G4 is a component of pre-ribosomal ribonucleoprotein complexes, participating in ribosome assembly and regulating the later steps of rRNA processing. Also, PA2G4 interacts with ErbB-3 and may function as a modulator of the ErbB-3 mediated signal transduction pathway by regulating the effects of Neuregulin-1. Furthermore, PA2G4 is a transcriptional co-repressor of androgen receptor-regulated genes and other cell cycle regulatory genes through its interactions with histone deacetylases. PA2G4 is implicated in growth inhibition and the induction of differentiation of human cancer cells. In addition, PA2G4 mediates cap-independent translation of specific viral IRESs (internal ribosomal entry site). PA2G4 associates with 28S, 18S and 5.8S mature rRNAs, several rRNA precursors and probably U3 small nucleolar RNA.

Regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS4) is a protein which regulates G protein signaling. Regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) family members are regulatory molecules which act as GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) for G alpha subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. Heterotrimeric G proteins serve to convey information from cell surface receptors to intracellular effectors.

PI3Ka plays a specific role in apoptosis in human colon cancer cells. Injection of neutralizing antibodies specific to PI3Ka into adenocarcinoma cells induced apoptosis, a response that was reverted by treating cells with caspase inhibitor. It was also shown that PI3Ka mediated phosphorylation of the p85a adapter reduces the lipid kinase activity of the heterodimer and this gives hints for PI3K-dependent signaling events not requiring production of 3’-phosphorylated phosphoinositides.
PI3Ka is a key regulator of the initiation of keratinocyte differentiation. A decrease in PI3Ka activity results in a loss of keratinocyte adhesion to the extracellular membrane and the initiation of early phase differentiation.

Connective Tissue Growth Factor belongs to the CCN family of proteins. The CCN family presently consists of six members in human also known as: Cyr61 (Cystein rich 61), CTGF (Connective Tissue Growth Factor), Nov (Nephroblastoma Overexpressed gene), WISP-1, 2 and 3 (Wnt-1 Induced Secreted Proteins). The CCN genes encode secreted proteins associated with the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and cell membrane.
CCN proteins are matricellular proteins which are involved in the regulation of various cellular functions including: proliferation, differentiation, survival, adhesion and migration. They are expressed in derivatives of the three embryonic sheets and are implicated in the development of kidney, nervous system, muscle, bone marrow, cartilage and bone. During adulthood, they are implicated in wound healing, bone fracture repair, and pathologies such as: fibrosis, vascular ailments and tumorigenesis.
Full length secreted CCN proteins can show an antiproliferative activity, whereas truncated isoforms are likely to stimulate proliferation and behave as oncogenes.
The full length protein consists of four modulesModule I shares partial identity with the N-terminal part of the Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins (IGFBPs).
Module II includes a stretch of 70amino acid residues – which shares sequence identity with the Von Willebrand Factor Type C repeat (VWC).
Module III contains sequences sharing identity with the Thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSP1) (WSXCSXXCG), which is thought to be implicated in the binding of sulfated glycoconjugates and to be important for cell adhesion.
Module IV, also designated CT, is encoded by exon5. It is the leasts conserved one of the four domains at the level of nucleotide sequence, but it appears to be critical for several of the biological functions attributed to the CCN proteins. Module IV resembles the CT domain of several extracellular protein including, Von Willebrand's factor and mucins. Sequence similarities to heparin-binding motifs are also found within this domain.
Proteolysis of the secreted full-length CCN proteins that has been reported in the case of CCN2 and CCN3 might result in the production of CCN-derived peptides with high affinity for ligands that full-length CNN proteins bind only poorly. Amino-truncated CCN2 isoforms were biologically active whereas no specific biological activity has been attributed to the truncated CCN3. Although the molecular processes underlying the production of these secreted isoforms is presently unknown, it is important to note that proteolysis occur at the same amino acid residues in both CCN2 and CCN3. An elevated expression of CCN2 has also been detected by Northern blotting in human invasive mammary ductal carcinomas, dermatofibromas, pyogenic granuloma, endothelial cells of angiolipomas and angioleiomyomas, and in pancreatic tumors. A study performed with chondrosarcomas representative of various histological grades established that CCN2 expression was closely correlated with increasing levels of malignancy.
In agreement with CCN2 playing a role in brain tumor angiogenesis, immunocytochemistry studies indicated that both glioblastoma tumor cells and proliferating endothelial cells stained positive for CCN2. In astrocytomas, CCN2 expression was particularly elevated in high grade tumors, with a marked effect of CCN2 on cell proliferation. Downregulation of CCN2 expression in these cells was associated with a growth arrest at the G1/S transition while over-expression of CCN2 induced a two-fold increase of the number of cells in the G1 phase. Gene profiling analysis allowed to identify a set of about 50 genes whose expression might account for the proliferative activity of CCN2 in these cells.
CCN2 was seen in a higher proportion of mononuclear cells of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Serum-and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase and a member of the “AGC” subfamily, which includes protein kinases A, G, and C. The SGK1 protein has an imperative role in activating specific potassium, sodium and chloride channels, suggesting a participation in the regulation of processes such as cell survival, neuronal excitability, and renal sodium excretion. SGK1 is activated in vitro by PDK-1 (3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1) and in vivo in reaction to signals which activate phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase.

Signal-Regulatory Protein Gamma (SIRPG) belongs to the signal-regulatory protein (SIRP) family whose members are receptor-type transmembrane glycoproteins which negatively regulate the receptor tyrosine kinase-coupled signaling processes. SIRPG is also a part of the immunoglobulin superfamily.

PLGF is a growth factor active in angiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth, stimulating their proliferation and migration. It binds to receptor vegfr-1/flt1.
PLGF-2 binds neuropilin-1 and 2 in a dependent manner.

PDGF-BB is a member of the platelet-derived growth factor family. The four members of this family are mitogenic factors for cells of mesenchymal origin and are characterized by a motif of eight cysteines. This gene product can exist either as a homodimer (PDGF-BB) or as a heterodimer with the platelet-derived growth factor alpha polypeptide (PDGF-AB), where the dimers are connected by disulfide bonds. Mutations in this gene are associated with meningioma. Reciprocal translocations between chromosomes 22 and 7, at sites where this gene and that for COL1A1 are located, are associated with a particular type of skin tumor called dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans resulting from unregulated expression of growth factor. Two splice variants have been identified for this gene.

Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 4 (PIN4) is a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) which interacts with NIMA and is vital for cell cycle regulation. PIN4 has 2 different isoforms: PAR14 and PAR17. Furthermore, Pin4 protein binds to double-stranded DNA under physiological salt conditions.

Ring Finger & CHY Zinc Finger Domain Containing 1 (RCHY1) acts as an ubiquitin ligase. RCHY1 mediates E3-dependent ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of target proteins which among them are TP53, HDAC1 and CDKN1B, consequently regulating their levels and cell cycle progression. RCHY1 is also increases AR transcription factor activity.