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SUMO1 is a protein that belongs to the SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) protein family. SUMO1 functions in a manner similar to ubiquitin in that it is bound to target proteins as part of a post-translational modification system. Still, unlike ubiquitin which targets proteins for degradation, SUMO1 is involved in a variety of cellular processes, for example nuclear transport, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, and protein stability. SUMO1 is not active until the last four amino acids of the carboxy-terminus are cleaved off.

Tubulin folding cofactor C (TBCC) is a member of the TBCC family. TBCC has a role in the control of centrosome and Golgi apparatus positioning, with effects on cell shape and cell migration. Cofactor C is 1 of 4 proteins (cofactors A,D,E and C) engaged in the pathway leading to properly folded b-tubulin from folding intermediates. Cofactor E attaches to the cofactor D/beta-tubulin complex; their interaction with cofactor C subsequently causes the release of beta-tubulin polypeptides which are bound to the native state.

INHBC, the beta C chain of inhibin, belongs to the TGF-beta superfamily. INHBC formulates heterodimers with beta A and beta B subunits. Other members of the TGF-beta superfamily are Actv's and Inhibins, hormones with contradictory roles which take part in pituitary, hypothalamic, and gonadal hormone secretion, as well as differentiation and growth of numerous cell types.

Podocalyxin (PODXL) is a greatly glycosylated transmembrane sialoprotein in the CD34 and endoglycan family. The PODXL protein is involved in the regulation of both adhesion and cell morphology and cancer progression. PODXL functions as an anti-adhesive molecule, which retains an open filtration pathway between neighboring foot processes in the podocyte by charge repulsion. Moreover, PODXL serves as a pro-adhesive molecule, enhancing the adherence of cells to immobilized ligands, increasing the rate of migration and cell-cell contacts in an integrin-dependent manner.

Endoglin is a type I membrane glycoprotein located on cell surfaces and is part of the TGF beta receptor complex.
The protein consists of a homodimer of 180 kDA with disulfide links. It has been found on endothelial cells, activated macrophages, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. Endoglin has been found to be part of the TGF-beta1 receptor complex. It thus may be involved in the binding of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta3, activin-A, BMP-2, and BMP-7. Beside TGF-beta signaling endoglin may have other functions. It has been postulated that endoglin is involved in the cytoskeletal organization affecting cell morphology and migration. Endoglin has a role in the development of the cardiovascular system and in vascular remodeling. Its expression is regulated during heart development . Experimental mice without the endoglin gene die due to cardiovascular abnormalities.

Basal Cell Adhesion Molecule (BCAM) which is a product of alternate splicing of the Lutheran blood group molecule is a part of the immunoglobulin superfamily. BCAM contains five extracellular immunoglobulin domains, a single transmembrane domain, and a short C-terminal cytoplasmic tail. BCAM protein is upregulated following malignant transformation of some cell types in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, BCAM interacts with integrin in sickle red cells, and participates in vasoocclusive episodes.

CRYGC is a member of the beta/gamma-crystallin family. Mammalian lens crystallins are distributed into alpha, beta, and gamma families; beta and gamma crystallins are also considered as a superfamily. Gamma-crystallins are a homogeneous group of extremely symmetrical, monomeric proteins usually missing connecting peptides and terminal extensions and are differentially regulated after early development. Three pseudogenes (gamma-E,F,G) and four gamma-crystallin genes (gamma-A,B,C,D) are structured in a genomic sector as a gene cluster. Gamma-crystallins are involved in cataract formation as a result of aging or mutations in specific genes. Mutations in CRYGC result in cataract Coppock-like (CCL) and cataract autosomal dominant (ADC).

SHC1 is a member of the SH2 domain family. SHC1 is vital to the regulation of apoptosis and drug resistance in mammalian cells. SHC1 is a signaling adapter which links activated growth factor receptors to signaling pathway. SHC1 is found in neural stem cells but not in mature neurons.

STC2 is a homodimeric glycoprotein that is expressed in a wide variety of tissues and may have autocrine or paracrine functions. The encoded protein has 10 of its 15 cysteine residues conserved among stanniocalcin family members and is phosphorylated by casein kinase 2 exclusively on its serine residues. Its C-terminus contains a cluster of histidine residues which may interact with metal ions. The protein may play a role in the regulation of renal and intestinal calcium and phosphate transport, cell metabolism, or cellular calcium/phosphate homeostasis. Constitutive over expression of human stanniocalcin 2 in mice resulted in pre- and postnatal growth restriction, reduced bone and skeletal muscle growth, and organomegaly. Expression of this gene is induced by estrogen and altered in some breast cancers.

Small Ubiquitin-like Modifiers (SUMOs) are a family of small, related proteins that can be enzymatically attached to a target protein by a post-translational modification process termed sumoylation. Unlike ubiquitination, which targets proteins for degradation, sumoylation participates in a number of cellular processes, such as nuclear transport, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, and protein stability. All SUMO proteins share the conserved ubiquitin domain and the C-terminal diglycine cleavage/attachment site. Human SUMO2, also known as Sentrin2 and SMT3B is synthesized as a 95 amino acid (aa), 11 kDa propeptide that contains a two aa C-terminal prosegment, and an 18 aa N-terminal protein interacting region (aa 33 -50). Following prosegment cleavage, the C-terminal glycine is enzymatically attached to a lysine on a target protein. Human SUMO2 shares 100% sequence identity to SUMO-2 from mouse. SUMO2 also has very high sequence homology to SUMO3 and SUMO4, 86 % and 85%, respectively. SUMO2 shares only 44% sequence identity to SUMO1.

SUMO3 belongs to the SUMO protein family and operates like ubiquitin. Nevertheless, unlike ubiquitin that targets proteins for degradation, SUMO3 protein takes part in several cellular processes, like nuclear transport, transcriptional regulation, apoptosis, and protein stability. SUMO3 regulates amyloid beta generation and is crucial in the onset or progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

KLRC3 belongs to the NKG2 group that can be found mostly in natural killer (NK) cells and encodes a family of transmembrane proteins known for their C-type lectin domain and their type II membrane orientation (extracellular C terminus). The NKG2 gene family is situated inside the NK complex, a region which has quite a few C-type lectin genes mostly expressed on NK cells.

Galectin 3, or LGALS3, is a protein which belongs to the animal lectins family, that binds betagalactoside residues selectively. LGALS3 is originated and leaves cells through ectocytosis. The protein is capable of inhibition apoptosis and the development of cancer. Galectin 3 is found in epithelial tissues in organisms, it can be located in dendritic cells, Kupffer cells, macrophages etc. LGALS3 levels elevated when inflammation is generating, cell proliferation, trans-activation by viral proteins and cell differentiation.

Endoglin is a type I membrane glycoprotein located on cell surfaces and is part of the TGF beta receptor complex.
The Endoglin protein consists of a homodimer of 180 kDA with disulfide links. Endoglin has been found on endothelial cells, activated macrophages, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, Endoglin has been found to be part of the TGF-beta1 receptor complex. Endoglin thus may be involved in the binding of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta3, activin-A, BMP-2, and BMP-7. Beside TGF-beta signaling endoglin may have other functions. It has been postulated that endoglin is involved in the cytoskeletal organization affecting cell morphology and migration. Endoglin has a role in the development of the cardiovascular system and in vascular remodeling. Endoglin expression is regulated during heart development . Experimental mice without the endoglin gene die due to cardiovascular abnormalities.

Sjogren syndrome/scleroderma autoantigen 1, SSSCA1 is involved in mitosis. SSSCA1 is a centromere-associated protein which can induce anti-centromere antibodies. In addition SSSCA1 is recognized by a subset of anti-centromere antibodies from patients with sclerodermaand Sjogren's syndrome.

V-Set Domain Containing T Cell Activation Inhibitor 1, also known as VCTN1, is part of the B7 costimulatory protein family. Proteins in this family are located on the surface of antigen-presenting cells and interact with ligand bound to receptors on the surface of T cells. High level of the encoded protein has been associated with tumor progression. VCTN1 also takes part in promoting epithelial cell transformation.

BCL10 holds a caspase recruitment domain (CARD), and is known as an inducer of apoptosis and as NF-kappaB activator. BCL10 cooperates with other CARD domain containing proteins such as CARD9, 10, 11 and 14, which operates as upstream regulators in NF-kappaB signaling. BCL10 is known to create a complex with MALT1, a protein encoded by another gene and is translocated in MALT lymphoma. MALT1 and BCL10 protein synergize the activation of NF-kappaB, and the deregulation of either of them facilitates the same pathogenetic process which leads to the malignancy.

Ro 60 kDa autoantigen is an RNA-binding protein that binds to several small cytoplasmic RNA molecules known as Y RNAs. SSA2 may stabilize these RNAs from degradation. Sera taken from patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) often contains antibodies that react with the normal cellular SSA2 protein as if this antigen was foreign.

Endoglin is a type I membrane glycoprotein located on cell surfaces and is part of the TGF beta receptor complex.
The protein consists of a homodimer of 180 kDA with disulfide links. It has been found on endothelial cells, activated macrophages, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. Endoglin has been found to be part of the TGF-beta1 receptor complex. It thus may be involved in the binding of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta3, activin-A, BMP-2, and BMP-7. Beside TGF-beta signaling endoglin may have other functions. It has been postulated that endoglin is involved in the cytoskeletal organization affecting cell morphology and migration. Endoglin has a role in the development of the cardiovascular system and in vascular remodeling. Its expression is regulated during heart development . Experimental mice without the endoglin gene die due to cardiovascular abnormalities.

The 14-3-3 family of proteins plays a key regulatory role in signal transduction, checkpoint control, apoptotic and nutrient-sensing pathways. 14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed. There are at least seven isoforms that have been identified in mammals. The 14-3-3gamma, a subtype of the 14-3-3 family of proteins, was thought to be brain and neuron-specific. It has been shown to interact with RAF1 and protein kinase C, proteins involved in various signal transduction pathways.

Alpha 1-microglobulin (A1M) is a lipocalin superfamily member (kernal lipocalins). A1M is a low molecular weight protein component of plasma. A1M is distributed in plasma and extravascular compartments of all organs. Alpha-1 Microglobulin is found in mammals, birds, amphibians and fish. The primary sites of A1M synthesis are the liver and the kidney. Around the opening of the lipocalin pocket three lysyl residues are situated; those residues carry yellow-brown modification derived from the binding and degradation of heme and kynurenin (a tryptophan metabolite). A1-Microglobulin’s reductase and dehydrogenase have broad biological substrate specificity properties due to its’ free cysteine side-chain which is located in a flexible loop. Alpha-1-microglobulin is glycosylated by three separate carbohydrate chains: two complex carbohydrates which are N-linked to asparagines at residues 17 and 96, and the other simple carbohydrate which is O-linked to threonine at position 5. The carbohydrates comprise 22% of the total molecular mass of the protein. The glycosylation varies between species.
A1M exists in two forms- a free form and complexed to other macromolecules: in humans- complexed to immunoglobulin A (IgA), in rat- complexed to alpha-1-inhibitor-3. Free A1M is exceptionally heterogeneous in charge (therefore also known as protein HC), and is found tightly linked to a chromophore. The free Alpha-1-microglobulin is a monomeric protein composed of one 188 residue polypeptide and contains three cysteines, two of which (residues 75 and 173) form a conserved intra-molecular disulphide link. The chromophoric group is covalently bound to the free cysteine residue at position 34. A1M binds retinol as a major ligand, but this is probably distinct from its covalent chromophore.
Half of all human plasma A1M (approximately 0.03mg/ml) forms a 1:1 complex with about 5% of plasma immunoglobulin A. The resulting macromolecular complexes’ molecular weight is 200000, and a plasma concentration of 0.3mg/ml. The complex can exhibit both antibody activity and affect many of the biological actions of free Alpha-1-microglobulin.
Alpha-1-microglobulin was first discovered in pathological human urine.
It was suggested that A1M might be involved in tissue defense against reactive oxygen species, oxidation by heme and kynurenin. Evidence also suggests that A1M functions in the regulation of the immune system. Other functions include inhibition of stimulation of cultured lymphocytes by protein antigens; induction of cell division of lymphocytes, a mitogenic effect that can either be enhanced or inhibited by the action of other plasma components; inhibition of neutrophil granulocyte migration in vitro; and inhibition of chemotaxis.

Bcl-2–associated X protein (Bax) belongs to the Bcl-2 protein family.
Bax is a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein containing BH1, BH2 and BH3 domains.
Bax accelerates programmed cell death by binding to, and antagonizing the apoptosis repressor bcl2 or its adenovirus homolog e1b 19k protein. Bax induces the release of cytochrome c, activation of casp3, and thereby apoptosis. Bax is expressed in a wide variety of tissues, with highest levels in the testis and ovary.
Tumor suppressor protein p53 upregulates the expression of BAX. Bax has been shown to be involved in p53-mediated apoptosis.

Oligonucleotide Binding Fold Containing 1 (OBFC1) is a part of the CST complex, a complex which binds to single-stranded DNA and is essential to defend telomeres from DNA degradation. The CST complex binds single-stranded DNA with high affinity in a sequence-independent way, whereas isolated subunits bind DNA with low affinity by themselves. The role of the CST complex is less specific in DNA metabolism at non-telomeric sites.

OTOR proteins is also known as fibrocyte-derived protein (Fdp) and Melanoma inhibitory activity-like (MIAL). Otoraplin is a member of the melanoma-inhibiting activity gene family. Otoraplin is a secreted 16 kDa globular protein that is expressed in the inner ear by periotic mesenchyme and developing and mature fibrocytes. OTOR is highly homologous to MIA/cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein (CD-RAP), which is a cartilage-specific protein that is also expressed in malignant melanoma cells. The 111 amino acid mature human otoraplin contains 1 SH3 domain (46 – 107 amino acids) and a Tyr at position 50 that is reportedly sulfated. Otoraplin takes pasrt in the initiation of periotic mesenchyme chondrogenesis.
Otoraplin is secreted through the Golgi apparatus and plays a role in cartilage development and maintenance. A frequent polymorphism in the translation start codon of OTOR can abolish translation and may be associated with forms of deafness.