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TARC cDNA encodes a 94 amino acid precursor protein with a 23 amino acid residue signal peptide that is cleaved off to generate the 71 amino acid residue mature secreted protein. Along with CC chemokine family members, CCL-17 has approximately 24-29% amino acid sequence identity with RANTES, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, MCP-1, MCP-2, MCP-3 and I-309. TARC is expressed in thymus, and at a lower level in the lung, colon, and small intestine. TARC is in addition transiently expressed in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Recombinant TARC has been shown to be chemotactic for T cell lines but not monocytes or neutrophils. CCL-17 was recently identified to be a specific functional ligand for CCR4, a receptor that is selectively expressed on T cells. CCL17 is one of quite a few Cys-Cys (CC) cytokine genes clustered on the q arm of chromosome 16. CCL17 shows chemotactic activity for T lymphocytes, but not monocytes or granulocytes. CCL17 binds to chemokine receptors CCR4 and CCR8. This chemokine plays important roles in T cell development in thymus as well as in trafficking and activation of mature T cells.

DHH is part of the Hedgehog family which encodes signaling molecules that are involved in regulating morphogenesis. DHH protein is a precursor that is autocatalytically cleaved, the N-terminal portion is soluble and contains the signalling activity while the C-terminal portion is involved in precursor processing. Additionally, the C-terminal product covalently attaches a cholesterol moiety to the N-terminal product, restricting the N-terminal product to the cell surface and preventing it from freely diffusing throughout the organism. Defects in DHH protein have been associated with partial gonadal dysgenesis (PGD) accompanied by minifascicular polyneuropathy. DHH plays a role both male gonadal differentiation and perineurial development.
DHH plays a role in intercellular signaling which is essential for a variety of patterning events during development. DHH functions as a spermatocyte survival factor in the testes & is essential for testes development.

Follistatin is a single-chain gonadal protein that specifically inhibits follicle-stimulating hormone release. The single FST gene encodes two isoforms, FST317 and FST344 containing 317 and 344 amino acids respectively, resulting from alternative splicing of the precursor mRNA. In a study in which 37 candidate genes were tested for linkage and association with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hyperandrogenemia in 150 families, evidence was found for linkage between PCOS and follistatin. Follistatin binds directly to activin and functions as an activin antagonist. specific inhibitor of the biosynthesis and secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (fsh).

Thioredoxins are small disulphide-containing redox proteins (within the conserved Cys-Gly-Pro-Cys active site) that have been found in all the kingdoms of living organisms. Thioredoxin contains a single disulfide active site and serves as a general protein disulphide oxidoreductase. Thioredoxins are involved in the first unique step in DNA synthesis. It interacts with a broad range of proteins by a redox mechanism based on reversible oxidation of two cysteine thiol groups to a disulphide, accompanied by the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The net result is the covalent interconversion of a disulphide and a dithiol. It has been suggested that thioredoxin may catalyze the formation of correct disulfides during protein folding because of its ability to act as an efficient oxidoreductant. Trx also provides control over a number of transcription factors affecting cell proliferation and death through a mechanism referred to as redox regulation.

CTK-19 is a member of the keratin family. The keratins are intermediate filament proteins responsible for the structural integrity of epithelial cells and are subdivided into cytokeratins and hair keratins. The type I cytokeratins consist of acidic proteins which are arranged in pairs of heterotypic keratin chains. Unlike its related family members, this smallest known acidic cytokeratin is not paired with a basic cytokeratin in epithelial cells. It is specifically expressed in the periderm, the transiently superficial layer that envelopes the developing epidermis. The type I cytokeratins are clustered in a region of chromosome 17q12-q21.

Clusterin also named Apolipoprotein J (APO-J) is a 75-80 kD disulfide-linked heterodimeric protein containing about 30% of N-linked carbohydrate rich in sialic acid but truncated forms targeted to the nucleus have also been identified. The precursor polypeptide chain is cleaved proteolytically to remove the 22-mer secretory signal peptide and subsequently between residues 227/228 to generate the ? and ? chains. These are assembled in anti-parallel to give a heterodimeric molecule in which the cysteine-rich centers are linked by five disulfide bridges and are flanked by two predicted coiled-coil ? -helices and three predicted amphipathic a-helices. Across a broad range of species clusterin shows a high degree of sequence homology ranging from 70% to 80%. It is nearly ubiquitously expressed in most mammalian tissues and can be found in plasma, milk, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and semen. It is able to bind and form complexes with numerous partners such as immunoglobulins, lipids, heparin, b

Cathepsin-L also known as CTSL is a member of the peptidase C1 family. CTSL, is a dimer composed of disulfide-linked heavy and light chains, both formed from a single protein precursor. Furthermore, CTSL is a lysosomal cysteine proteinase which takes a main part in intracellular protein catabolism. CTSL substrates include collagen and elastin, as well as alpha-1 protease inhibitor, which is the most important controlling element of neutrophil elastase activity. CTSL has been implicated in a number of pathologic processes, including myofibril necrosis in myopathies and in myocardial ischemia, and in the renal tubular response to proteinuria. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for CTSL.

Paraoxonase-1 or PON1 is part of the paraoxonase group of proteins. PON1 is an enzyme, responsible to the toxic metabolites of a different of organophosphorus insecticides hydrolyzation. Furthermore, PON1 is a dominant anti-atherosclerotic part of HDL. The enzyme needs PPAR-gamma for activation, leading to synthesis and release of paraoxonase 1 from the liver tissue, resulting in atherosclerosis reduction. PON1 has many qualities for atheroprotective through inflammatory lipid peroxides metabolism. This enzyme can hydrolyze a large number of substrates, for example cyclic carbonates, lactones, nerve gases etc.

Cystatin 5 (CST5) is a novel member of the cystatin superfamily, which encompasses proteins that contain multiple cystatin-like sequences. Some members are active cysteine protease inhibitors, while others have lost or possibly never had this inhibitory activity. The superfamily is comprised of 3 inhibitory families: the type 1 cystatins (stefins), type 2 cystatins and the kininogens. Type 2 cystatin proteins are a class of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in various human fluids and secretions.

CCL-20 is a chemotactic factor that draws lymphocytes & neutrophils, rathar than monocytes. MIP-3 alpha inhibits proliferation of myeloid progenitors in colony formation assays. MIP3A plays a role in the formation and function of the mucosal lymphoid tissues by attracting lymphocytes and dendritic cells towards epithelial cells. C-terminal processed forms have been shown to be equally chemotactically active for leukocytes. CCL-20 holdes antibacterial activity e.coli atcc 25922 and s.aureus atcc 29213. CCL-20 gene transcription is activated by H. pylori, which activates NF-kappaB through intracellular signal pathway which involves IkappaB kinase and NF-kappaB-inducing kinase. MIP-3 alpha is invloved in chemokine-mediated lymphocyte trafficking during gastric inflammation in Helicobacter infection. CCL-20 expression is involved in the recruitment of CD45R0-positive T cell subsets into the intestinal lamina propria. MIP-3A is in charge of the advancement of pulpal inflammation through the recruitment of C-C motif Receptor 6-expressing lymphocytes Vaginal epithelial cells respond to factors present in semen by secreting MIP-3 alpha, which increases langerhans cells recruitment during HIV transmission.

Dehydrogenase/reductase SDR family member 8 (HSD17B11) is a member of the HSD17B family of proteins, which regulate the availability of steroids within various tissues throughout the body. HSD17B11 is widely expressed with the highest levels found in the retina, pancreas, kidney, liver, lung, adrenal, small intestine, ovary and heart as well as in steroidogenic cells. HSD17B11 converts androstan-3-?,17-?-diol (3-?-diol) to androsterone, suggesting it may participate in androgen metabolism during steroidogenesis.

CCL28 is part of the subfamily of small cytokine CC genes. CCL28 shows chemotactic activity for resting CD4 or CD8 T cells and eosinophils. CCL28 binds to chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR10. CCL28 is involved in the physiology of extracutaneous epithelial tissues, including diverse mucosal organs. CCL28 mediates mucosal immunity in HIV exposure and infection. CCL28 is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases.
Human CCL28 cDNA encodes a 127 amino acid residue precursor protein with a putative 22 amino acid residue signal peptide that is cleaved to produce the 105 amino acid residue mature protein. Human and mouse CCL28 are highly conserved, sharing 83% amino acid identity in their mature regions. CCL28 shares the most homology with CCL27/CTACK. Human and mouse CCL28 RNA expression was found to be highest in normal and pathologic colon with the protein being expressed by epithelial cells. Human CCL28 RNA was also present in normal and asthmatic lung tissues.

CIAO1 is a vital component of the cytosolic iron-sulfur (Fe/S) protein assembly machinery. CIAO1 protein is required for the maturation of extra mitochondrial Fe/S proteins and seems to specifically modulate the trans-activation activity of WT1. CIAO1 participates in chromosome segregation as a part of the mitotic spindle-associated MMXD complex.

Mouse Lungkine/CXCL15 (WECHE) belongs to the ELR motif-containing CXC chemokines. The mouse Lungkine gene has been mapped to chromosome 5. The cDNA of mouse Lungkine encodes a 166 amino acids (aa) protein with a 25 aa predicted signal peptide and a 141 aa mature protein with an exceptionally long C-terminal tail which extends beyond beyond the chemokine fold. Lungkine protein is secreted into bronchoalveolar space and is involved in lung-specific neutrophils trafficking. Furthermore, studies in Lungkine knockout mice propose that Lungkine is an imperative mediator of neutrophil migration from the lung parenchyma into the airspace. In addition, Lungkine is chemotactic for bone marrow progenitor cells and modulates hematopoietic cell differentiation. By Northern blot analysis and in-situ hybridization, Lungkine transcripts have only been specifically detected in the adult and fetal lung, and its expression is up-regulated under inflammatory conditions. There is a 35% aa sequence similarity between the mouse Lungkine and the human ENA-78 and a 31% similarity with the human IL-8.

Cathepsin-Z (CTSZ) is a lysosomal cysteine proteinase and a member of the peptidase C1 family. CTSZ, which is known also as cathepsin X and cathepsin P, exhibits carboxy-monopeptidase and carboxy-dipeptidase activities. CTSZ is expressed ubiquitously in cancer cell lines and primary tumors and as other members of this family, takes part in tumorigenesis.

SARS Associated Coronavirus Envelope is a small membrane protein that takes major part in the life cycle of the virus. This protein is needed for the assembly, budding, creation of the envelope and pathogenesis. This protein contains 3 outer structural proteins, 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 assure viral entry thetarget cells. Accordingly, S-protein has a major part in virus infection cycle and is the mainly target of neutralizing antibodies.

PHPT1 is a member of the Janus protein familyand is 125 amino acid long. PHPT1 appears as a monomer in the cytoplasm and is an EDTA-insensitive phosphohistidine phosphatase. Overexpression of PHPT1 resolts in specific phosphohistidine phosphatase activity towards phosphopeptide I, with no activity detected towards phosphotyrosine, phosphothreonine and phosphoserine peptides.

CETN1 is an EF-hand type Ca2+-binding protein. CETN1 is localized to the centrosome of interphase cells, and reorganizes the region of the spindle poles during mitosis, reflecting the dynamic behavior of the centrosome during the cell cycle. CETN1 has a vital part in the determination of centrosome position and isolation, and in the course of microtubule separating.

Dendritic cell and monocyte chemokinelike protein (DMC/CXCL17/VEGF-correlated chemokine 1/VCC1), is a secreted molecule with a size and predicted 3-dimensional folding pattern similar to that of chemokines CXCL8/IL8 and CXCL14/BRAK. CXCL17 is constitutively generated by airway and intestinal epithelium. CXCL17 induces the chemotaxis of quiescent, but not LPS-activated peripheral blood monocytes and dendritic cells, and it also binds these cells specifically. The expression of CXCL17 is increased in endothelial cells when they are induced to form tubes in vitro. CXCL17, CXCL1/GRO and CXCL8/IL8 which have roles in angiogenesis, show significantly correlated expression with that of VEGF in primary lung, breast and esophageal tumors. Therefore, CXCL17 is suggested to have a role in tumor angiogenesis. The mature Rat CXCL17 shares 82%, 71% amino acid sequence identity with mouse, human CXCL17, respectively.

The recombinant Protein A/G/L is a genetically engineered protein which combines the IgG binding profiles of all Protein A, Protein G and Protein L. Protein A/G/L is a gene fusion product. Recombinant fusion protein A/G/L is comprised of 5 Ig-binding regions of protein L (B1-B2-B3-B4-B5), 5 IgG binding domains from Protein A (E-D-A-B-C) and 2 Ig-binding region of protein G (C1-C3). The recombinant Protein A/G/L is ideal for purification of monoclonal or polyclonal IgG antibodies. Protein A/G/L binds to IgG from humans, mice, rats, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, dogs and cats.

Cystatins are a superfamily of cysteine proteinase inhibitors found in both plants and animals. They comprise a group of proteinase inhibitors, widely distributed in tissues and body fluids, and form tight complexes with cysteine proteases such as cathepsin B, H, L and S. Cystatin C, a secreted molecule of this family, is of interest from biochemical, medicine and evolutionary points of view. Cystatin C, with molecular weight of 13260 Da, is composed of 120 amino acids, lacks carbohydrate and has two disulfide bridges located near the carboxyl terminus. Cystatin C is increased in patients with malignant diseases, and is related to the insufficiency of renal function and appears to be a better marker than creatinine. On the other hand, low levels of cystatin C involve cause the breakdown of the elastic laminae and, subsequently, the atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Buserelin belongs to the group of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (gonadorelin) analogues (LHRH agonist). It acts on the pituitary gland which controls the amount of many different types of hormones (chemical messengers). It alters the amount of hormones, particularly the oestrogens androgens. This alteration of hormone levels can be exploited to treat cancers of the prostate gland, which are stimulated to grow by testosterone. Buserelin lowers the levels of testosterone, which starves the tumour of testosterone and causes it to shrink.