Search results

Galectin-3 mediates with the alpha-3, beta-1 integrin the stimulation by cspg4 of endothelial cells migration. Galectin-3 plays an necessary part during the acquisition of vasculogenic mimicry and angiogenic properties associated with melanoma progression. LGALS3 overexpression is highly expressed in early stages of papillary carcinoma, and its expression intensity declines during tumor progression. Serum levels of LGALS3 are high in patients with thyroid malignancy but there is considerable overlap in serum LGALS3 concentrations between those with benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease. LGLAS3 takes part as an immune regulator to inhibit T-cell immune responses and promote tumor growth, as a result providing a new mechanism for tumor immune tolerance.

Phosphoglycerate kinase 1, also referred to PGK1, is an X-linked enzyme whichfunctions in the glycolytic pathway.The gene encoding the erythrocyte enzyme PGK1 & it seems that PGK-1 plays a role as a polymerase alpha cofactor protein (primer recognition protein) as a glyxolytic enzyme role. The PGK1 catalyzes the reversible conversion of 1, 3-diphosphoglycerate to 3-phosphoglycerate during glycolysis, generating one molecule of ATP.

Galectin-3 mediates with the alpha-3, beta-1 integrin the stimulation by cspg4 of endothelial cells migration. Galectin-3 plays an necessary part during the acquisition of vasculogenic mimicry and angiogenic properties associated with melanoma progression. LGALS3 overexpression is highly expressed in early stages of papillary carcinoma, and its expression intensity declines during tumor progression. Serum levels of LGALS3 are high in patients with thyroid malignancy but there is considerable overlap in serum LGALS3 concentrations between those with benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease. LGLAS3 takes part as an immune regulator to inhibit T-cell immune responses and promote tumor growth, as a result providing a new mechanism for tumor immune tolerance.

Glycogenin-1 (GYG1) is an enzyme involved in glycogen biosynthesis. GYG1 is the chief enzyme involved in glycogen polymerisation. Glycogenin-1 is vital for the function of self-glucosylates, using an inter-subunit mechanism, to form an oligosaccharide primer which acts as substrate for glycogen synthase. In addition, GYG1 has a role in regulating glycogen metabolism and the achievement of maximal glycogen levels in skeletal muscle. GYG1 mRNA and protein content and activity increase in the muscle during recovery from prolonged and exhaustive exercise. GYG1 is inactivated with glycogen catabolism which concurs with an increase in glycogenin gene expression as exercise and glycogenolysis advance. Glycogenin will remain covalently attached to the reducing end of the glycogen molecule.

Listeriolysin O (aka LLO) is a hemolysin produced by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, the pathogen responsible for causing listeriosis. The toxin may be regarded as a virulence factor, since it is crucial for the virulence of L. monocytogenes. LLO is a single polypeptide protein encoded by the hlyA gene and composed of 529 residues. LLO is a thiol-activated cholesterol-dependent pore forming toxin protein; therefore, it is activated by reducing agents and inhibited by oxidizing agents. Still, LLO differs from other thiol-activated toxins, as its cytolytic activity is maximized at a pH of 5.5. Inside the acidic phagosomes (average pH ~ 5.9) of cells that have phagocytosed L. monocytogenes, LLO is selectively activated by maximizing activity at a pH of 5.5. Following the phagosome lysis by LLO, the bacterium breaks out into the cytosol, where it is able to grow intracellularly, and the toxin has reduced activity in the more basic cytosol. Thus, LLO permits L. monocytogenes to break out from the phagosomes into the cytosol without harming the plasma membrane of the infected cell, which allows the bacteria to live intracellularly, where they are sheltered from extracellular immune system factors such as the complement system and antibodies. LLO also brings about dephosphorylation of histone H3 and deacetylation of histone H4 in the early phases of infection, before entry of L. monocytogenes into the host cell. The pore-forming activity is not implicated in causing the histone modifications. The modifications of the histones affect the down regulation of genes encoding proteins involved in the inflammatory response. Therefore, LLO may be significant in subverting the host immune response to L. monocytogenes. At its NH2-terminus it possesses a 25 residues long typical signal sequence excited during the secretion process. Moreover, in its NH2-terminus there is also a 19 amino acids PEST- like sequence that may target this toxin for degradation. The PEST-like sequence found in LLO and is considered crucial for virulence, given that mutants lacking the sequence lysed the host cell. Nevertheless, contrary to PEST's supposed role in protein degradation, evidence implies that the PEST-like sequence may control LLO production in the cytosol rather than increase degradation of LLO.

BPHL is a Serine hydrolase that is a part of the AB hydrolase superfamily which catalyzes the hydrolytic activation of amino acid ester prodrugs of nucleoside analogs. BPHL is expressed large quantities in liver and kidney and in minor quantities in heart, intestine and skeletal muscle. BPHL takes part in detoxification processes and is a specific alpha-amino acid ester hydrolase which favors small, hydrophobic, and aromatic side chains and does not have a strict necessity for the leaving group except for favoring a primary alcohol.

RANKL binds to tnfrsf11b/opg and to tnfrsf11a/rank. Osteoclast differentiation and activation factor. Augments the ability of dendritic cells to stimulate naive t-cell proliferation. May be an important regulator of interactions between t-cells and dendritic cells and may play a role in the regulation of the t-cell-dependent immune response. sRANKL may also play an important role in enhanced bone-resorption in humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy.

Polypeptide N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 1 (Galnt1) is a part of the UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GalNAc-T) family of enzymes. The initial reaction in O-linked oligosaccharide biosynthesis is catalyzed by Glant1, the transfer of an N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residue to a serine or threonine residue on the protein receptor. Moreover, Galnt1 is implicated in the glycosylation of proteins vital for bone formation for instance osteopontin and bone sialoprotein.

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.

Epiregulin is part of the EGF family. Epiregulin functions as a ligand of EGFR, as well as a ligand of most members of the ERBB (v-erb-b2 oncogene homolog) family of tyrosine-kinase receptors.Epiregulin is expressed mostly in the placenta and peripheral blood leukocytes and in specific carcinomas of the bladder, lung, kidney and colon. Epiregulin stimulates the proliferation of keratinocytes, hepatocytes, fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells. Epiregulin inhibits the growth of several tumor-derived epithelial cell lines. Human Epiregulin is initially synthesized as a glycosylated 19.0 kDa transmembrane precursor protein, which is processed by proteolytic cleavage to produce a 6.0 kDa mature secreted sequence.

Peroxisome proliferators are non-genotoxic carcinogens which are purported to exert their effect on cells through their interaction with members of the nuclear hormone receptor family termed peroxisome proliferators activated receptors (PPARs). Nuclear hormone receptors are ligand-dependent intracellular proteins that stimulate transcription of specific genes by binding to specific DNA sequences following activation by the appropriate ligand. Studies indicate that PPARs are activated by peroxisome proliferators such as clofibric acid, nafenopin, and WY-14,643, as well as by some fatty acids.

Prolactin is a pituitary hormone involved in the stimulation of milk production, salt and water regulation, growth, development and reproduction. The initial step in its action is the binding to a specific membrane receptor (prolactin receptor) which belongs to the superfamily of class 1 cytokine receptors. The function of the prolactin receptor is mediated, at least in part, by two families of signaling molecules: Janus kinases and signal transducers and activators of transcription. Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone involved in a variety of important functions including ion transport and osmoregulation, stimulation of milk, protein synthesis as well as the regulation of numerous reproductive functions. PRL exerts its influence on different cell types through a signal transduction pathway which begins with the binding of the hormone to a transmembrane PRL receptor. Immunoreactive PRL receptor, a member of the cytokine receptor family, varies in size (short and long forms) with tissue source and species, from ~40 kDa to 100 kDa. The PRL receptor consists of at least three separate domains: an extracellular region with 5 cysteines which contains the prolactin binding site, a single transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic region, the length of which appears to influence ligand binding and regulate cellular function.

Eosinophil lysophospholipase (CLC) acts on biological membranes to regulate the multifunctional lysophospholipids. CLC is a lysophospholipase expressed in eosinophils and basophils. CLC hydrolyzes lysophosphatidylcholine to glycerophosphocholine and a free fatty acid. The CLC protein may possess carbohydrate or IgE-binding activities. CLC is both structurally and functionally related to the galectin family of beta-galactoside binding proteins. CLC may be linked with inflammation and some myeloid leukemias.

Procalcitonin is a peptide hormone mainly produced by the C cells of the thyroid and certain endocrine cells of the lung. Under normal expression conditions, procalcitonin is immediately cleaved into three specific fragments, an N terminal residue, calcitonin and katacalcin. Levels of unprocessed procalcitonin rise significantly after bacterial infection, trauma or shock.

GDP-fucose protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (POUFUT1), belongs to the glycosyltransferase O-Fuc family. POUFUT1 encodes a member of the glycosyltransferase O-Fuc family and Expressed mainly in pancreas, kidney, lung, heart, brain, liver, placenta and skeletal muscle.POUFUT1 adds O-fucose through an O-glycosidic linkage to Preserve serine or threonine residues in the epidermal growth factor-like repeats of a number of cell surface and emitted proteins. POUFUT1 is involved in ligand-induced receptor signaling. Alternative splicing of this gene results in 2 transcript variants encoding different isoforms.POFUT1 participates in Notch signaling, as Notch ligands can use as POFUT1 substrates.

GH is a member of the somatotropin/prolactin family of hormones which play an important role in growth control. The gene, along with four other related genes, is located at the growth hormone locus on chromosome 17 where they are interspersed in the same transcriptional orientation; an arrangement which is thought to have evolved by a series of gene duplications. The five genes share a remarkably high degree of sequence identity. Alternative splicing generates additional isoforms of each of the five growth hormones, leading to further diversity and potential for specialization. This particular family member is expressed in the pituitary but not in placental tissue as is the case for the other four genes in the growth hormone locus. Mutations in or deletions of the gene lead to growth hormone deficiency and short stature.

AnsA is a cytoplasmic asparaginase from E.coli involved in intracellular asparagine utilization. E.coli has 2 L-asparaginases: the cytoplasmic type I form (ansA) and the periplasmic type II form (ansB). AnsA (Type L asparaginase) is constitutively expressed and is obligatory for the growth of the bacteria on asparagine as the sole nitrogen source.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein present in fetal digestive-tract tissues; it’s involved in cell adhesion. The production of CEA stops before birth. CEA is called tumor marker since its elevated levels are found in the serum from individuals with colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, lung and breast carcinomas and in heavy smokers.
There are also benign conditions that elevate CEA levels such as smoking, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and some benign tumors (in the equivalent organs which have cancers with elevated CEA). Typically, higher levels of CEA are found in men, smokers, and older individuals.
The presence of CEA assists in screening, in evaluating recurrent or disseminated disease, and in determining the success of surgical removal of malignant tumors.
CEA levels can be used as indicators of treatment success. The normal values range from 0.0 to 2.5 ng/ml of serum (from blood), in non-smokers, a greater amount than that may be suggestive of cancer. Levels above 20 ng/ml before treatment are associated with cancer which has already metastasized. Benign conditions do not usually cause a CEA increase over 10 ng/ml.
The high levels of CEA should return to normal after successful therapy, however if during follow up there’s an elevation in CEA levels it indicates a recurrence of tumor.
Carcinoembryonic antigen family belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily; it consists of 29 genes, 18 of which are normally expressed.

Activins are homodimers or heterodimers of the different β subunit isoforms, part of the TGFβ family. Mature Activin A has two 116 amino acids residues βA subunits (βA-βA). Activin displays an extensive variety of biological activities, including mesoderm induction, neural cell differentiation, bone remodelling, haematopoiesis, and reproductive physiology. Activins takes part in the production and regulation of hormones such as FSH, LH, GnRH and ACTH. Cells that are identified to express Activin A include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, hepatocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, keratinocytes, osteoclasts, bone marrow monocytes, prostatic epithelium, neurons, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and ovarian granulosa cells.

BCAT1 catalyzes the leading reaction in the catabolism of the indispensable branched chain amino acids isoleucine, leucine and valine.

PLAUR is one of 2 activators which convert the extracellular zymogen plasminogen to plasmin, a serine protease involved in a various normal and pathological processes that require cell migration and/or tissue destruction. PLAUR protein is synthesized and released from cells as a single-chain proenzyme with narrow enzymatic activity and is converted to an active two-chain disulfide-linked active enzyme by plasmin and other specific proteinases.

Tissue plasminogen activator (abbreviated PLAT or tPA) is a secreted serine proteasewhich converts the proenzymeplasminogento plasmin, a fibrinolyticenzyme. Plasminogen is synthesized as a single chain which is cleaved by PLAT into the two chain disulfide linked plasmin.
This enzyme plays a role in cell migrationand tissue remodeling. Increased enzymatic activity causes hyperfibrinolysis, which manifests as excessive bleeding; decreased activity leads to hypofibrinolysiswhich can result in thrombosisor embolism.

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are ligandactivated transcription factors within the nuclear receptor superfamily, which play important roles in adipogenesis, glucose homeostasis andinflammation. Three different isotypes can be distinguished; alpha, beta and gamma. PPARg, is mainly expressed in adipose tissue and to lesser extent in colon, the immune system and the retina. Whereas PPARg operates in the catabolism of fatty acids in the liver, PPARg influences the storage of fatty acids in the adipose tissue and plays a role in adipocyte differentiation. PPARg binds to DNA as a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor (RXR), activating expression of target genes after binding ligand.