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E-selectin (SELE) is a part of a family of divalent cation-dependent carbohydrate-binding glycoproteins or adhesion molecules. E-selectin is expressed on the surface of endothelial cells and mediates the interaction of leukocytes and platelets with endothelial cells during an inflammatory response. E-selectin is present in single copy in the human genome and contains 14 exons spanning about 13 kb of DNA.

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.

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 functions as an ACTV antagonist. specific inhibitor of the biosynthesis and secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (fsh).

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GNRH1), also known as Luteinising-hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), is a peptide hormone responsible for the release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary. GNRH1 is synthesized and released by the hypothalamus.
At the pituitary, GNRH1 stimulates the synthesis and secretion of the gonadotropins follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These processes are controlled by the size and frequency of GNRH1 pulses, as well as by feedback from androgens and estrogens. Low requency GNRH1 pulses lead to FSH release, whereas high frequency GNRH1 pulses stimulate LH release.
There are differences in GNRH1 secretion between males and females. In males, GNRH1 is secreted in pulses at a constant frequency, but in females the frequency of the pulses varies during the menstrual cycle and there is a large surge of GNRH1 just before ovulation.
GNRH1 secretion is pulsatile in all vertebrates, and is necessary for correct reproductive function. Thus, a single hormone, GNRH1, controls a complex process of follicular growth, ovulation, and corpus luteum maintenance in the female, and spermatogenesis in the male.

Aprotinin inhibits the activity of several proteolytic enzymes such as chymotrypsin, kallikrein, plasmin and trypsin. Aprotinin is present in blood and in most tissues, with a high concentration in lung. Aprotinin inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine release and maintains glycoprotein homeostasis. In platelets, aprotinin reduces glycoprotein loss (e.g., GpIb, GpIIb/IIIa), while in granulocytes it prevents the expression of pro-inflammatory adhesive glycoproteins (e.g., CD11b).

Myozenin 1 (MYOZ1) is a member of the myozenin family. MYOZ1 is mostly expressed in the skeletal muscle. Members of the myozenin family act as calcineurin-interacting proteins which helps tether calcineurin to the sarcomere of cardiac and skeletal muscle. The myozenin family plays a significant role in modulation of calcineurin signaling.

Adipocyte plasma membrane-associated protein, also known as APMAP, is a member of the strictosidine synthase family. APMAP exhibits strong arylesterase activity with beta-naphthyl acetate in addition to phenyl acetate and takes part in adipocyte differentiation.

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.

Galectins are a family of animal lectins with an affinity for beta-galactosides. This family has at least 14 identified members. Galectins share similarities in the CRD (the carbohydrate recognition domain). Galectins are synthesized as cytosolic proteins. Though localized principally in the cytoplasm and lacking a classical signal peptide, galectins can also be stimulated to secretion by non-classical pathways or alternatively targeted to the nucleus. Galectins are involved in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Galectin-8 is a tandem-repeat-type member of the galectin family, consisting of 2 CRDs attached by a linker peptide. Galectin-8 is greatly expressed in lung carcinomas, a number of forms of prostate carcinomas, in addition to other tumor cells. Galectin-8 attaches to a subset of cell surface integrins to modulate ECM-integrin interactions. Once immobilized, Galectin-8 promotes cell adhesion by ligation and clustering of cell surface integrin receptors. On the other hand, as a soluble ligand, Galectin-8 can inhibit cell adhesion.

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).

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.

GLP-2 functions as an intestinal growth factor, which stimulates intestinal epithelial growth. GLP2 is involved in diabetes-associated bowel growth. GLP2 enhances cell differentiation, playing a role as a cytokine and in tissue regeneration, and mediating cytoprotection. GLP2 is invloded numerous therapeutic applications. GLP2 regulates signaling pathways coupled to cell proliferation and cell death by apoptosis.
GLP-2 is produced by specific post-translational proteolytic cleavage of proGLP. GLP-2 is manufactured by the intestinal endocrine L cell and by several neurons in the central nervous system.

ACTN1 encodes a nonmuscle, cytoskeletal, alpha actinin isoform and maps to the same site as the structurally similar erythroid beta spectrin gene. Alpha actinins belong to the spectrin gene superfamily which represents a diverse group of cytoskeletal proteins, including the alpha and beta spectrins and dystrophins. Alpha actinin is an actin-binding protein with multiple roles in different cell types. In nonmuscle cells, the cytoskeletal isoform is found along microfilament bundles and adherens-type junctions, where it is involved in binding actin to the membrane. In contrast, skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle isoforms are localized to the Z-disc and analogous dense bodies, where they help anchor the myofibrillar actin filaments.

Desmopressin is the first vasopressin analog with a very high and very specific antidiuretic effect, has been widely used for different therapeutic purposes and is believed to be partly responsible for the formation of memories learning and memory processes. Desmopressin increases urine concentration and decreases urine production. Desmopressin is used to prevent and control excessive thirst, urination, and dehydration.

Calcitonin (CT) is a peptide hormone produced by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland in mammals and by the ultimobranchial gland of birds and fish. Salmon calcitonin (sCT), which is more potent and longer lasting than human CT, has been used widely for the treatment of osteoporosis, paget's disease, hypercalcemic shock and chronic pain in terminal cancer patients. sCT is one of the many bioactive peptides that require C-terminal amidation for full biological activity.

REG protein was shown to be stimulated during the regeneration of pancreatic islets. Since then, many Reg-related proteins have been identified in humans and other animals. In human, the four REG family genes, i.e., REG 1 alpha, REG 1 beta, REG-related sequence (RS) and HIP/PAP, have so far been isolated. These Reg-related proteins are classified into four subfamilies according to their amino-acid sequences, but they share a similar structure and physiological function. Reg protein is a growth factor for pancreatic beta cells and also suggests that the administration of Reg protein could be used as another therapeutic approach for diabetes mellitus. Human REG cDNA which encodes a 166-amino acid protein with a 22-amino acid signal peptide. The amino acid sequence of human REG protein has 68% homology to that of rat Reg protein.
Reg I was found to be expressed mainly in pancreatic beta and acinoductular cells as well as gastric fundic enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. Reg I production in ECL cells is stimulated by gastrin, as well as by the proinflammatory cytokine, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-2Beta. In patients with chronic hypergastrinemia, Reg production is stimulated, with the increased proliferation of gastric mucosal cells. Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection also showed increased Reg production in the gastric mucosa, partly via increased plasma gastrin concentration and partly via increased proinflammatory cytokine production. The serum concentration of the reg-protein was significantly higher in patients with various pancreatic diseases than in normal controls, and was also significantly higher in patients with acute pancreatitis or chronic relapsing pancreatitis than in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, the serum PSP/reg-protein concentration was also significantly increased in liver cirrhosis, choledocholithiasis, and various cancers of the digestive system.

Resistin, a product of the RSTN gene, is a peptide hormone belonging to the class of cysteine-rich secreted proteins (monomeric peptide contains 11 cysteine residues) referred to as the RELM family, and is also described as ADSF (Adipose Tissue-Specific Secretory Factor) or FIZZ3 (Found in Inflammatory Zone 3). Mouse resistin is expressed as a 114 amino acid prepeptide; its hydrofobic Nterminal 20 amino acid signal peptide is cleaved before its secretion. Mouse resistin circulates in blood as a homodimeric protein consisting of two 94 amino acid polypeptides, which are disulfide-linked via Cys26.
Resistin may be an important link between obesity. Mouse resistin, specifically produced and secreted by adipocyte, acts on skeletal muscle myocytes, hepatocytes and adipocytes themselves so that it reduces their sensitivity. Steppan et al. have suggested that resistin suppressed the ability to stimulate glucose uptake. They have also suggested that resistin was present at elevated levels in blood of obese mice, and was down regulated by fasting and by antidiabetic drugs. Way et al., on the other hand, have found that resistin expression is severely suppressed in obesity.
Other studies have shown that mouse resistin increases during the differentiation of adipocytes, but it also seems to inhibit adipogenesis. In contrast, the human adipogenic differentiation is likely to be associated with a down regulation of resistin gene expression.

Omentin is a recently recognized gene highly localized to the mental tissue (visceral adipose tissue). Omentin is present in the stromal vascular cells in the adipose tissue rather than in the adipocytes. Omentin is predominantly expressed in the visceral adipose tissue than the subcutaneous tissue, with the omentin mRNA being 150 times higher in the visceral adipose tissue. Omentin has also been detected in human blood using western blot analysis, and seems to increase insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in mice. Omentin seems to increase Akt phosphorylation irrespective of insulin presence. Its role in glucose metabolism and obesity remains to be described; an insulin-sensitizing action is possible.Differences in Omentin expression has been noted in adipose tissue from normals and patients with inflammatory bowel disease although its significance is unknown.

Inhibins are dimeric peptide hormones produced by female ovarian granulose cells and male Sertoli cells as well as a variety of other tissues. Inhibins have two isoforms, A and B, with the same alpha subunit but different beta subunits. Inhibin A is a dimer of alpha and beta A subunits, inhibin B is a dimer of alpha and beta B subunits.
Inhibins are thought to inhibit the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. In addition, Inhibins are also thought to play a role in the control of gametogenesis, and embryonic and fetal development.

Melanotan and Melanotan-II are both analogs of the peptide hormone alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH) that tend to induce skin tanning. Unlike Melanotan, Melanotan-II has the additional effect of increasing libido. Melanotan II has aphrodisiac properties.

Galectin-4 is a member of the subfamily of galectins composed of two carbohydrate recognition domains having similar peptide chains. The galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins having a role in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, which inhibits chronic inflammations, GVHD, and allergic responses. LGALS4 expression is limited to small intestine, colon, and rectum, and it is underexpressed in colorectal cancer. LGALS4 binds as an endogenous ligand to glycosphingolipids having 3-O-sulfated Gal residues and bind as well to cholesterol-3-sulfate. LGALS4 takes part in cell adhesion. LGALS4 plays a role in crosslinking the lateral cell membranes of the surface-lining epithelial cells, thus supporting epithelial integrity against mechanical stress exerted by the bowel lume. LGALS4 is in charge of intestinal inflammation via selective regulation of peripheral and mucosal T-cell cell cycle, in addition to cell death by apoptosis of T-cells by a pathway independent of the activation of caspases. LGALS4 blockade decreases TNF-alpha inhibitor induced T-cell death. LGALS4 decreases pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion including IL-6 & IL-17.

LCAT is an extracellular cholesterol esterifying enzyme, lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase. The esterification of cholesterol is required for cholesterol transport. LCAT is a essential enzyme in the extracellular metabolism of plasma lipoproteins.