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HSPA8 is part of the heat shock protein 70 family which includes both heat-inducible and constitutively expressed proteins (heat-shock cognate proteins). HSPA8 is a heat-shock cognate protein that binds to nascent polypeptides to facilitate correct folding. HSPA8 plays a role as an ATPase in the disassembly of clathrin-coated vesicles through transport of membrane components through the cell. HSPA8 is expressed in colon cancer cells, HSPA8 takes part in reovirus outer capsid disassembly, through membrane penetration, to plan the entering particle for gene expression and replication. serum HSPA8 concentrations are reduced in normal human pregnancy. HSPA8 plays a role in androgen action on dermal papilla cells. HSPA8 is directly linked with Influenza virus matrix protein 1 and thus required for viral production.

Aspartoacylase is a homodimer which catalyzes the deacetylation of N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA) (a protein whose hydrolysis is crucial to maintenance of intact white matter) to generate acetate and L-aspartate. Aspartoacylase (ASPA) is expressed in the liver, lung and kidney tissue, as well as in the skeletal muscle and in cerebral white matter. NAA is ample in the brain where hydrolysis by aspartoacylase is believed to aid maintain white matter. In other tissues ASPA functions as a scavenger of NAA from body fluids. ASPA gene mutations cause Canavan disease (CAND or spongy degeneration of the brain).

IFIH1 is a DEAD box protein which is upregulated in response to treatment with beta-interferon and a protein kinase C-activating compound, mezerein. Irreversible reprogramming of melanomas can be attained by therapy with both these agents; treatment with either agent alone only achieves reversible differentiation. DEAD box proteins are implicated in several cellular processes involving alteration of RNA secondary structure such as translation initiation, nuclear and mitochondrial splicing, and ribosome and spliceosome assembly.

Alpha-parvin (PARVA) belongs to the parvin family of actin-binding proteins. PARVA has a role in the regulation of cell adhesion, cytoskeleton organization, motility and survival as well as in ciliogenesis. Parvins are related with focal contacts and contain calponin homology domains which connect to actin filaments. PARVA is extensively expressed, with the highest levels in heart, skeletal muscle, kidney and liver.

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.

cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit alpha isoform Calpha1 (PRKACA) belongs to the Ser/Thr protein kinase family. PRKACA is responsible for phosphorylating other proteins and substrates, changing their activity. The PRKACA protein is a member of the AGC kinase family, and contributes to the regulation of cellular processes which include glucose metabolism, cell division, and contextual memory.

Procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer 1, also known as PCOLCE binds to the C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen and enhances procollagen C-proteinase activity. In addition, C-terminal processed part of PCPE (CT-PCPE) has a metalloproteinase inhibitory activity. Among the diseases which are associated with PCOLCE: bone fracture & oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) belongs to the SFRP family which contains a cysteine-rich domain homologous to the putative Wnt-binding site of Frizzled proteins. SFRP2 functions as soluble modulators of Wnt signaling. Methylation of SFRP2 might indicate on colorectal cancer.

BAALC gene is found in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and is conserved among mammals and is not found in lower organisms. Tissues which express BAALC develop from the neuroectoderm. BAALC is located both in the membrane and in the cytoplasma, it exists as multiple alternatively spliced isoform. BAALC is expressed by hematopoetic and neural cells, BAALC interacts with CaMKII? and is involved in synaptic function at postsynaptic lipid rafts. Overexpression of BAALC concomitant forecast adverse clinical outcome and defines a significant risk factor in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

SRP54 is a 54-kDa subunit of the signal recognition particle (SRP), a cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein complex which leads the translocation of newly synthesized secretory proteins from the polysome to the endoplasmic reticulum. SRP is composed of six polypeptides and a tRNA-like molecule known as 7SL RNA. SRP54 is a GTP-binding protein that directly binds the signal sequences of nascent secretory and membrane proteins. Anti-SRP autoantibodies take place in patients with an autoimmune chronic muscle inflammation called polymyositis. These auto-antibodies predominantly recognize the SRP54 subunit and in addition are able to immunoprecipitate several of the SRP subunits and the RNA component. Nearly 5% of myositis patients are positive for anti-SRP autoantibodies, increasing to 18% in the subgroup of Jo-1 autoantibody-negative patients. The classic 'anti-SRP syndrome' is a severe form of polymyositis in which the myositic inflammation is acute and aggressive onset, with common myalgias and cardiac involvement. Normally there is a poor reaction to therapy with a 5-year survival rate of about 25%.

ARPC5 is a 151 amino acid subunit of the Arp2/3 complex. ARPC5 is believed to have a role in maintaining the integrity of Arp2/3. ARPC5 is a substrate for MAPKAPK-2 which, via phosphorylation of ARPC5, may participate in Arp2/3 regulatory functions and remodeling of the Actin cytoskeleton.

MAPKSP1 is a scaffold protein which operates in the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade. MAPKSP1 protein is restricted to late endosomes by the mitogen-activated protein-binding protein-interacting protein, and binds specifically to MAP kinase kinase MAP2K1/MEK1, MAP kinase MAPK3/ERK1, and MAP kinase MAPK1/ERK2.

Binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP or HSPA5) is a member of the family of ~70kDa heat shock proteins (HSP 70). HSPA5 is a stress response protein which is induced by agents or conditions that adversely affect endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function. HSPA5 is crucial for the proper glycosylation, folding as well as for the maintenance of cell homeostasis and the prevention of apoptosis.

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.

Small Proline-Rich Protein 1B (SPRR1B) is a keratinocyte protein which first appears in the cell cytosol, but eventually becomes cross-linked to membrane proteins by transglutaminase. SPRR1B is cross-linked to membrane proteins by transglutaminase leading to formation of an insoluble envelope. SPRR1B functions as both amine donor and acceptor in transglutaminase-mediated cross-linkage. SPRR1B is expressed in the course of differentiation in squamous tissues such as epidermis, esophagus, tongue or trachea.

Signal recognition particle 19kDa protein (SRP19) is a member of the SRP19 family. SRP19 binds directly to 7S RNA and mediates binding of the 54 kDa subunit of the SRP.

Paired box 8, also known as PAX8 functions in thyroid follicular cell development as well as in expression of thyroid-specific genes. PAX8 complexes with TTF-1& TTF-2 in order to stimulate thyroid follicular cell differentiation and thyroid hormone biosynthesis by regulating the expression of NIS (sodium iodide symporter) , TPO (thyroid peroxidase), TG (thyroglobulin) and the TSHR (thyrotropin receptor). Defects in PAX8 are the cause of CHNG2 (congenital hypothyroidism non-goitrous type 2).

RHOC is a small signaling G protein/GTPase which is part of the Rac subfamily of the family Rho family of GTPases. RHOC rotats between inactive GDP-bound and active GTP-bound states and has a role as a molecular switch in signal transduction cascades. RHOC promotes reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and regulates cell shape, attachment, and motility.

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.

PAK4 is part of the group B family of p21-activated kinases (PAK). It's known as an effector protein for cell division cycle 42(Cdc42) and protein that plays an important role in regulating cytoskeletal organization and cell morphology. PAK4 expression is eminent in many cancer cell lines, and is involved in tumorigenesis. PAK proteins are significant effectors that associate Rho GTPases to cytoskeleton reorganization and nuclear signaling. PAK proteins are targets for the small GTP binding proteins Cdc42 and Rac and have been implicated in a wide range of biological activities. PAK4 cooperates specifically with the GTP-bound form of Cdc42Hs and weakly activates the JNK family of MAP kinases. PAK4 is a mediator of filopodia formation and is involved in the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. PAK4 activates the JNK pathway. PAK4 phosphorylates and inactivates the protein phosphatase SSH1, leading to increased inhibitory phosphorylation of the actin binding/depolymerizing factor cofilin. Decreased cofilin activity may lead to stabilization of actin filaments.

PECR is the main enzyme for a projected peroxisomal chain elongation pathway and is primarily expressed in kidney and liver.

CALR is a multifunctional protein that acts as a main Ca(2+)-binding (storage) protein in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. Calreticulin is localized in the nucleus, and participates in transcription regulation. Calreticulin binds to the synthetic peptide KLGFFKR, which is nearly identical to an amino acid sequence in the DNA-binding domain of the superfamily of nuclear receptors. CALR binds to antibodies in specific sera of systemic lupus and Sjogren patients which have anti-Ro/SSA antibodies, it is well conserved among species, and it is positioned in the endoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum where it binds calcium. The amino terminus of CALR interacts with the DNA-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor and prevents the receptor from binding to its specific glucocorticoid response element. CALR reduces the binding of androgen receptor to its hormone-responsive DNA element and inhibits androgen receptor and retinoic acid receptor transcriptional activities in vivo, as well as retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation. Therefore, CALR acts as a significant modulator of the regulation of gene transcription by nuclear hormone receptors.

Killer Cell lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K, Member 1 (KLRK1) is an activating receptor which has recently generated considerable interest. The most fascinating of these, are a couple of closely related proteins known as MICA and MICB. These are cell-surface molecules distantly related to MHC class I proteins, and their genes have elements of heat shock promoters. Thus, MICA and MICB are expressed in the course of cell stress and are up-regulated in tumor cells and during viral infections. This receptor-ligand combination has a crucial role in the immune response to various pathologies.

Since April 2012, cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been identified in various countries. Coronaviruses are the cause of the common cold, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and other severe illnesses with high mortality rates, all are classified into coronavirus family. MERS-CoV is a new type of SARS found in the coronavirus family causing severe pneumonia with sudden and serious respiratory illness with high mortality rates as well. Since January 27th 2015, the WHO has reported 956 human cases, including 351 deaths. More cases of the new coronavirus strain are expected. Like in other coronaviruses, large surface spike glycoprotein is a central structural protein of this virus; it is located above the virion surface to bind and enter into the target cell. Spike protein has 2 domains- S1 and S2. The S1 domain is responsible for cellular tropism and interaction with target cell, while the S2 domain is responsible for membrane fusion. The C-terminal of S1 domain contains a receptor binding domain, and is also a potential target for vaccine development and an antigen for diagnosis.