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The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein family which is part of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. The superfamily includes large families of growth and differentiation factors. Bone morphogenetic proteins were originally identified by an ability of demineralized bone extract to induce endochondral osteogenesis in vivo in an extraskeletal site. This particular family member plays an important role in the onset of endochondral bone formation in humans, and a reduction in expression has been associated with a variety of bone diseases, including the heritable disorder Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. Alternative splicing in the 5' untranslated region of this gene has been described and three variants are described, all encoding an identical protein.

TAF15 is a member of the TET family of RNA-binding proteins. TAF15 is a component of a subset of multi-subunit transcription initiation factor TFIID complexes which takes part in RNA polymerase II gene transcription. Translocations involving TAF15 are found in severe leukemia and extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. Mutations in TAF15 take part in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

TRAF1 is an adapter protein and signal transducer that connects members of the TNFR family to different signaling pathways by association with the receptor cytoplasmic domain and kinases. TRAF1 mediates activation of NF-kappa-B and JNK and participates in apoptosis. The TRAF1/TRAF2 complex recruits the apoptotic suppressors BIRC2 and BIRC3 to TNFRSF1B/TNFR2.

NCF1 is a cytosolic subunit protein of neutrophil NADPH oxidase which a
Multi-component enzyme that is activates production of superoxide anion. NCF1, along with NCF2 and a membrane bound cytochrome b558, is necessary for activation of the latent NADPH oxidase necessary for superoxide production. Mutations in this NCF1 have been related with chronic granulomatous disease.

Branched Chain Amino-Acid Transaminase 2 (BCAT2) is a member of the class-IV pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase family. BCAT2 is a branched chain aminotransferase found in mitochondria. BCAT2 forms a dimer which catalyzes the first step in the production of the branched chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine. In addition, BCAT2 may actn as a transporter of branched chain alpha-keto acids.

Transcription Factor 4 (TCF4) acts as a transcription factor and takes part in the initiation of neuronal differentiation. TCF4 recognizes an Ephrussi-box ('E-box') binding site ('CANNTG') - a motif primary identified in immunoglobulin enhancers. TCF4 is mainly expressed in pre-B-cells, even though it is present in other tissues as well.

TNFRSF4, also known as TNF Receptor Superfamily Member 4, is a T cell co-stimulatory molecule which belongs to the TNF receptor superfamily. TNFRSF4 coordinates with other co-stimulatory substances such as CD28, CD40, CD30, CD27 and 4-1BB to control the activation of the immune response. TNFRSF4 takes a vital part in antigen-specific T cell expansion as well as survival. TNFRSF4 is up-regulated on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells upon engagement of the TCR by antigen presenting cells along with co-stimulation by CD40-CD40 Ligand and CD28-B7. In addition, TNFRSF4 regulates cytokine production from T cells, antigen presenting cells, natural killer cells and natural killer cells. TNFRSF4 regulates cytokine receptor signaling.

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family of iron binding proteins. It is found in human breast milk as well as most epithelial surface secretions including tears, nasogastric, saliva, and bronchial. Lactoferrin binds 2 molecules of iron with very high affinity. Lactoferrin inhibits bacterial growth by withholding iron, its N-terminal region is an antimicrobial peptide. Lactotransferrin acts synergistically with lysozyme to potentiate the activity of both proteins. The multifunctional protein lactoferrin has many physiological possible roles. It is often referred to as an innate defense protein and frequently serves as the first line of defense in protection against pathogens. It has been shown to have the ability to bind iron, it is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral, it is an antioxidant and it also has immunomodulatory properties. It has many beneficial properties, which make it a good candidate for a number of product applications. Considerable research is currently going on to explain the various suggested biological functions of lactoferrin.

ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (ATPIF1) attaches to the C-terminal region of a beta subunit of the F1-ATPase at low pH values and, through interference of the beta and gamma subunit interaction, ATPIF1 controls the activity of the F1 (the hydrophilic catalytic core), F0 (the membrane embedded protein channel) ATPase. ATPIF1 overexpression in a number of human carcinomas additionally reinforces its participation in oncogenesis and offers insight into the transformed metabolism of cancer cells, including the reprogramming of energy metabolism in relation to glycolysis. Endogenous F1F(o)-ATPase inhibitor curbing ATP depletion when the mitochondrial membrane potential drops below a threshold and the F1F(o)-ATP synthase begins hydrolyzing ATP to pump protons out of the mitochondrial matrix.

Gametocyte Specific Factor 1 (GTSF1) is a member of the UPF0224 (FAM112) family and contains 1 CHHC-type zinc finger. A key paralog of the GTSF1 gene is GTSF1L.

Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor, also known as CNTFR is a member of the type I cytokine receptor family. CNTFR binds to CNTF. The alpha subunit provides the receptor specificity. Sole nucleotide polymorphisms in CNTFR has been associated with variations in muscle strength, in addition to early onset of eating disorders.

TNFR2 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. TNFR2 is receptor with high affinity for TNFSF2/TNF-alpha and approximately 5-fold lower affinity for homotrimeric TNFSF1/lymphotoxin-alpha. TNFR2 mediates the majority of the metabolic effects of TNF-alpha. In addition, knockout studies in mice propose a role for TNFR2 in protecting neurons from apoptosis by stimulating antioxidative pathways. TNFR2 expression might have a significant role in the angiogenesis, tumor cell proliferation and metastasis of Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast.
There are 2 types of soluble TNF receptors: sTNFR-I and sTNFR-II, which act to neutralize the biological activities of TNF alpha and TNF beta. The levels of these soluble receptors seem to increase as a result of shedding of the extracellular domains of the membrane bound receptors. High levels of soluble TNF receptors are found in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women. TNFR2 and TNFR1 form a heterocomplex which mediates the recruitment of 2 anti-apoptotic proteins, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2, which possess E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. IAPs’ function in TNF-receptor signaling is unknown; nevertheless, c-IAP1 is believed to potentiate TNF-induced apoptosis by the ubiquitination and degradation of TNF-receptor-associated factor 2, which mediates anti-apoptotic signals. Oxidative stress promotes TNFR1 and TNFR2 self-interaction, ligand-independent and enhanced ligand-dependent TNF signaling. TNF-a, TNFR1 and TNFR2 have roles in cellular differentiation. TNFR1 and TNFR2 function in cell type-specific renal injury.

TRAF-interacting protein with FHA domain-containing protein A (TIFA) is an adapter protein that mediates the IRAK1 and TRAF6 interaction following IL-1 stimulation, triggering the downstream activation of NF-kappa-B and AP-1 pathways. The TIFA protein stimulates the oligomerization and polyubiquitination of TRAF6, leading to the activation of TAK1 and IKK through a proteasome-independent mechanism.

B-Raf Proto-Oncogene, also known as BRAF is a member of the raf/mil family of serine/threonine protein kinases. BRAF participates in regulating the MAP kinase/ERKs signaling pathway, which eventually have an effect on cell division, differentiation, and secretion. Mutations in BRAF have been associated with cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, which is a disease characterized by heart defects, mental retardation and a distinctive facial appearance. In addition, mutations in BRAF have also been associated with different cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, malignant melanoma, thyroid carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, as well as adenocarcinoma of lung.

Endothelial cells express three different vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors, belonging to the family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). They are named VEGFR-1 (Flt-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR/Flk-1), and VEGFR-3 (Flt-4). Their expression is almost exclusively restricted to endothelial cells, but VEGFR-1 can also be found on monocytes. All VEGF-receptors have seven immunoglobulin-like extracellular domains, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular split tyrosine kinase domain. VEGFR-2 has a lower affinity for VEGF than the Flt-1 receptor, but a higher signalling activity. Mitogenic activity in endothelial cells is mainly mediated by VEGFR-2 leading to their proliferation. Differential splicing of the flt-1 gene leads to the formation of a secreted, soluble variant of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1). No naturally occurring, secreted forms of VEGFR-2 have so far been reported. The binding of VEGF165 to VEGFR-2 is dependent on heparin.

Mycobacterium antigen ESAT6 has been isolated from low molecular weight fractions of the shot-term-culture filtrate (ST-CF) and it can easily be detected in tuberculosis patients. The export of ESAT-6 which is a potent T-cell antigen, and related proteins requires a dedicated secretory apparatus that is encoded by a group of genes, several of which also code for proteins that are recognized strongly by T cells. The ESAT-6 systems can consequently be considered as immunogenicity islands and there is mounting evidence that the equivalent genes are subject to selective pressure imposed by the immune system of the host. This antigen includes many epitopes detectable in the serum of most patients with tuberculosis (more than 90%). By the attempts to obtain the vaccine on the basis of ESAT-6 it was demonstrated that the optimization of adjuvant is very important when using the combination of dioctadecylammonium bromide and monophosphoryllipide. ESAT-6 is very potential as diagnostic for differentiation between the mycobacterial infection and BCG vaccination. The main topic in ESAT-6 using is in antibody production and in test-systems for tuberculosis elaboration. Early secretory antigen 6 (ESAT6) and cell filtrate protein 10 (CFP10) are 2 antigens secreted as a complex by the replicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC).

NXT1 operates as a nuclear export factor in both RAN and CRM1 dependent pathways. NXT1 is known to stimulate the export of U1 snRNA in RAN (Ras-related nuclear protein) and CRM1 (chromosome region maintenance) dependent pathways and the export of tRNA and mRNA in a CRM1-independent pathway. This protein heterodimerizes with Tap protein and regulates the ability of Tap protein to intermediate nuclear mRNA export.

Twinfilin (TWF1) is a ubiquitous actin-monomer-binding protein which is composed of two ADF-homology domains. Twinfilin forms a 1:1 complex with ADP-actin-monomers, prevents nucleotide exchange on actin monomers and blocks assembly of the monomer into filaments. TWF1 is composed of 2 ADF/cofilin-like (ADF-H) domains joined by a short linker region and followed by a C-terminal tail of approximately 20 residues. The 2 ADF-H domains are approximately 20% homologous to ADF/cofilin and to each other. TWF1 protein may be an actin monomer-binding protein, and its localization to cortical G-actin-rich structures might be regulated by the small GTPase RAC1.

General Transcription Factor IIA, 1 (GTF2A1) in a complex along with TBP mediates transcriptional activity. GTF2A1 is a part of the transcription machinery of RNA polymerase II and is also participates in transcriptional activation.

GTF2E2 is vital for transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II in conjunction with other general factors. General Transcription Factor IIE is a heterotetramer composed of two subunits of relatively high molecular mass 57,000 (GTF2E1) and two of 34,000 (GTF2E2). GTF2E2 is necessary in conjunction with GTF2E1 for transcription initiation. GTF2E2 recruits TFIIH to the initiation complex and stimulates the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain kinase and DNA-dependent ATPase activities of TFIIH. Both TFIIE and TFIIH are essential for promoter clearance by RNA polymerase.

In the absence of additional proteins - the general transcription factors (GTFs) RNA polymerases are unable to initiate RNA synthesis. GTFs accumulate in a complex on the DNA promoter and recruit the RNA polymerase. GTF3C family proteins are vital for RNA polymerase III to produce several small nuclear and cytoplasmic RNAs, including 5S RNA, tRNA, and adenovirus-associated (VA) RNA of both cellular and viral origin.

NFATC1 is a component of the nuclear factor of activated T cells DNA-binding transcription complex. This complex consists of at least 2 components: a preexisting cytosolic component that translocates to the nucleus upon T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, and an inducible nuclear component. Proteins belonging to this family of transcription factors play an essential role in inducible gene transcription during immune response. NFATC1 is an inducible nuclear component. NFATC1 functions as a major molecular target for the immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporin A. Different isoforms of NFATC1 may regulate inducible expression of different cytokine genes.