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RELM-gamma is a novel member of the resistin-like molecule/found in inflammatory zone (RELM/FIZZ) family in mice and rats. Microarray and real-time RT-PCR experiments revealed a repression of RELMgamma mRNA in nasal respiratory epithelium of cigarette smoke-exposed versus untreated rats. The analysis of the physiological tissue-specific expression revealed highest expression in hematopoietic tissues, suggesting a cytokine-like role for RELM-gamma. RELM-gamma-mRNA is detectable in bone marrow, spleen, and lung as well as in peripheral blood granulocytes. Promyelocytic HL60 cells transfected with a RELM-gamma expression plasmid have an increased proliferation rate compared to mock-transfected cells and display an altered response to retinoic acid-induced granulocytic differentiation. Taken together, these data provide the first experimental evidence that RELM-gamma is a secreted molecule with a restricted expression pattern that may play a role in promyelocytic differentiation.

SPIN1 is a member of the SPIN/STSY family. SPIN1 is localized to nucleus, and expressed in several tissues and cells. SPIN1 takes part in cell-cycle regulation in the course of the transition from gamete to embryo.

Gltathione S-transferase PI 2, also known as GSTP2 is multifunctional enzyme which is involved in theprotection of cellular components against anti-cancer drugs or peroxidative stress. Furthermore, down regulation of GSTP2induces an increase of oxidative damage in the pyramidal cells of the CA1&CA3 regions as well as in the granular layer ofthe dentate gyrus, which at the end leads to structural and functional damage.

RAB4A is a member of the small GTPase superfamily. RAB4A interacts with STX4, RAB11FIP1, RABEP1, CD2AP and KIF3B. In addition, Rab4 is involved in the translocation of glucose transporter (Glu4) in adipocytes. Rab4 overexpression causes a redistribution of receptors on plasma membrane versus endocytic compartments.

Osteoprotegerin acts as decoy receptor for rankl and thereby neutralizes its function in osteoclastogenesis. OPG inhibits the activation of osteoclasts and promotes osteoclast apoptosis in vitro. Bone homeostasis seems to depend on the local rankl/opg ratio. Osteoprotegerin may also play a role in preventing arterial calcification. May act as decoy receptor for trail and protect against apoptosis. Trail binding blocks the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.

OVCA2 is a member of the UPF0483 family. Universally expressed, the OVCA2 expression is regulated by retinoids. OVCA2 cooperates with apoptosis-related protein Bag-1, which indicates that OVCA2 takes part in cell proliferation. OVCA2 is thought to perform as a serine-hydrolase due to its catalytic and structural characteristics. Additionally, OVCA2 is believed to be involved in tumor suppression because of its reduced expression in ovarian and other tumor cell lines.

The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptors are a family of transmembrane serine/threonine kinases that include the type I receptors BMPR1A and BMPR1B and the type II receptor BMPR2. These receptors are also closely related to the activin receptors, ACVR1 and ACVR2. The ligands of these receptors are members of the TGF-beta superfamily. TGF-betas and activins transduce their signals through the formation of heteromeric complexes with 2 different types of serine (threonine) kinase receptors: type I receptors of about 50-55 kD and type II receptors of about 70-80 kD. Type II receptors bind ligands in the absence of type I receptors, but they require their respective type I receptors for signaling, whereas type I receptors require their respective type II receptors for ligand binding.

Phosphoglycerate mutase 2 (PGAM2) is a member of the phosphoglycerate mutase family. PGAM is a dimeric enzyme which contains in separate tissues, different proportions of a slow-migrating muscle (MM) isozyme, a fast-migrating brain (BB) isozyme, and a hybrid form (MB). PGAM (Phosphoglycerate mutase) catalyzes the reversible reaction of 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) to 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PGA) in the glycolytic pathway. PGAM2 gene mutations cause muscle phosphoglycerate mutase efficiency, otherwise known as glycogen storage disease X.

TSG101 is a member of apparently inactive homologs of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes. TSG101 contains a coiled-coil domain that interacts with stathmin, a cytosolic phosphoprotein implicated in tumorigenesis. TSG101 is involved in cell growth and differentiation and acts as a negative growth regulator. TSG101 in vitro steady-state expression is important for maintenance of genomic stability and cell cycle regulation. TSG101 mutations and alternative splicing occur in high rate in breast cancer and implicate that defects occur during breast cancer tumorigenesis and/or progression. TSG101 is a factor of the ESCRT-I complex, a monitor of vesicular trafficking process. TSG101 binds to ubiquitinated cargo proteins and is needed for the sorting of endocytic ubiquitinated cargos into multivesicular bodies. TSG101 is needed for completion of cytokinesis and is involved in cell growth and differentiation.

RAB3A Interacting Protein Like 1 (RAB3IL1) is a 382 amino acid protein which is a member of the SEC2 family. RAB3IL1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab3A. RAB3IL1 competes for interaction with Rab3A and IHPK1 via its coiled coil domain, which doesn’t involve IHPK1 kinase activity.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte specific secreted protein that circulates in the plasma. It is induced during adipocyte differentiation and its secretion is stimulated by insulin. Mouse adiponectin shares about 83% amino acid identity with that human. Adiponectin plays a role in various physiological processes such as energy homeostasis and obesity. Adiponectin is reduced in obese humans, and decreased level is associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia.

CCL23 (MIP-3) is a ligand for the CCR1chemokine receptor. CCL23 is one of several cytokine genes clustered on the q-arm of chromosome 17, in a locus containing several other CC chemokines. MIP-3 chemoattracts monocytes, resting T-lymphocytes and neutrophils, but not activated lymphocytes. Furthermore, it was shown that MIP-3 inhibits colony formation of bone marrow myeloid immature progenitors. MIP-3 is mainly expressed in lung and liver tissue, but can be also found in bone marrow and placenta, as well as in some cell lines of myeloid origin.
Alternative splicing of the CCL23 gene produces 2 mRNAs which encode a short (CK?8) and a long (CK?81) isoform of the MIP-3. CK?8 cDNA encodes a 120 amino acid residue precursor protein with a putative 21 a.a. residue signal peptide which is cleaved to generate a 99 a.a. residue mature CK?8 (a.a. 22-120). Further N-terminal processing of the 99 a.a. residue variant can produce a 75 a.a. residue CK?8 (a.a. 46-120) which is considerably more active than the 99 a.a. residue variant.
MIP-3 may be involved in the malignant progression of certain human cancer cells which overexpress ErbB2 through the transactivation of ErbB2 tyrosine kinase. MIP-3 may also be involved in angiogenesis via upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 expression.

PA2G4 belongs to the peptidase M24C family and functions as an RNA-binding protein involved in cellular proliferation and differentiation processes. PA2G4 is a component of pre-ribosomal ribonucleoprotein complexes, participating in ribosome assembly and regulating the later steps of rRNA processing. Also, PA2G4 interacts with ErbB-3 and may function as a modulator of the ErbB-3 mediated signal transduction pathway by regulating the effects of Neuregulin-1. Furthermore, PA2G4 is a transcriptional co-repressor of androgen receptor-regulated genes and other cell cycle regulatory genes through its interactions with histone deacetylases. PA2G4 is implicated in growth inhibition and the induction of differentiation of human cancer cells. In addition, PA2G4 mediates cap-independent translation of specific viral IRESs (internal ribosomal entry site). PA2G4 associates with 28S, 18S and 5.8S mature rRNAs, several rRNA precursors and probably U3 small nucleolar RNA.

Human Pin 1 is a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) that interacts with NIMA and essential for cell cycle regulation Pin1 is nuclear PPIase containing a WW protein interaction domain, and is structurally and functionally related to Ess1/Ptf1, an essential protein in budding yeast. PPIase activity is necessary for Ess1/Pin1 function in yeast. Pin1 is thus an essential PPIase that regulates mitosis presumably by interacting with NIMA and attenuating its mitosis-promoting activity. Substrates of Pin1 include the mitotic regulators (Cdc25 phosphatase and NIMA, PLK I, Wee, and Myt1 kinases), several transcription factors like b-Catenin, c-Jun, and the tumor suppressor protein p53, and some specific proteins like the RNA Pol II, the cytoskeleton protein tau, and the G1/S protein Cyclin D1.

TIMP2 belongs to the TIMP gene family. The proteins encoded by this gene family are natural inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases, a group of peptidases that take part in degradation of the extracellular matrix. Besides having an inhibitory role against metalloproteinases, the encoded protein has a exclusive part among TIMP family members in its capability to directly suppress the proliferation of endothelial cells. Consequently, the encoded protein is crucial to the conservation of tissue homeostasis by suppressing the production of quiescent tissues as an answer to angiogenic factors, and by inhibiting protease activity in tissues undergoing renovation of the extracellular matrix.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that was previously called GRO1 oncogene, Neutrophil-activating protein 3 (NAP-3) and melanoma growth stimulating activity, alpha (MSGA-a). It is secreted by human melanoma cells, has mitogenic properties and is implicated in melanoma pathogenesis. CXCL1 is expressed by macrophages, neutrophils and epithelial cells, and has neutrophil chemoattractant activity. CXCL1 plays a role in spinal cord development by inhibiting the migration of oligodendrocyte precursors and is involved in the processes of angiogenesis, inflammation, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. This chemokine elicits its effects by signaling through the chemokine receptor CXCR2. The gene for CXCL1 is located on human chromosome 4 amongst genes for other CXC chemokines.

PBX/Knotted 1 Homeobox 1 (PKNOX1) is a DNA-binding factor which takes part in the regulation of the transcriptional activity of AP-1 containing promoters. PKNOX1, which is also known as UEF3, PRP-1 and p64, is a Hmeobox protein. PKNOX1 forms stable complexes containing PBX proteins which synergize with AP-1 binding factors.

WNT1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 2 (WISP2) belongs to the WNT1 inducible signaling pathway (WISP) protein subfamily, which belongs to the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) family. The CTGF family members are characterized by 4 conserved cysteine-rich domains: insulin-like growth factor-binding domain, von Willebrand factor type C module, thrombospondin domain and C-terminal cystine knot-like (CT) domain. WISP2 protein lacks the CT domain which is implicated in dimerization binding. WISP2 is possibly involved in bone remodeling. WISP2 is expressed in primary osteoblasts and fibroblasts. WISP2 stimulates osteoblast adhesion and inhibits osteocalcin production. WISP2 expression in colon tumors is reduced while the other 2 WISP members are overexpressed in colon tumors. WISP2 may play an imperative role in modulating bone turnover.

GSTP1 is a polymorphic gene encoding active, functionally different GSTP1 variant proteins that are believed to function in xenobiotic metabolism and have a part in susceptibility to cancer, and other diseases. GSTP1 is a glutathione S-transferase belonging to the pi class. GST family enzymes play a significant role in detoxification by catalyzing the conjugation of many hydrophobic and electrophilic compounds with reduced glutathione. Based upon the biochemical, immunologic and structural properties of the soluble GSTs they are grouped into 4 main classes: alpha, mu, pi, and theta. The GSTP1 enzyme acts by catalyzing the reaction of glutathione with an acceptor molecule to form a Sulfur-substituted glutathione. The reactions employing glutathione contribute the transformation of a broad range of electrophiles, including reactive products of lipid, protein, carcinogens, therapeutic drugs, environmental toxins, and products of oxidative stress.
The GSTP1 inactivation through CpG hypermethylation is frequent in pituitary adenomas and may be a factor in aggressive pituitary tumor behavior. GSTP1 is may be a transcriptional target of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Single-nucleotide polymorphism in GSTP1 is linked to modified protein binding, which influence GSTP1's contribution to carcinogen and drug metabolism, and possibly disease pathogenesis and/or drug response. GST-pi might have central roles in proliferation of androgen-independent human prostate cancer cells.

Phosphomevalonate kinase (PMVK) is a cytosolic enzyme. PMVK is expressed highly in the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas and slightly lower in the brain, placenta, and lung. PMVK catalyzes the conversion of mevalonate 5-phosphate into mevalonate 5-diphosphate in the fifth reaction of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Induced by sterol, PMVK participates in isopentenyl diphosphate biosynthesis via the mevalonate pathway.

RAB6A is a member of the small GTPase superfamily. RAB6A may be involved in protein transport. RAB6A is a regulator of membrane traffic from the Golgi apparatus towards the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and has a low GTPase activity.

Pin 1 is a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) which interacts with NIMA and essential for cell cycle regulation Pin1 is nuclear PPIase containing a WW protein interaction domain, and is structurally and functionally related to Ess1/Ptf1, an essential protein in budding yeast. PPIase activity is necessary for Ess1/Pin1 function in yeast. Pin1 is thus an essential PPIase that regulates mitosis presumably by interacting with NIMA and attenuating its mitosis-promoting activity. Substrates of Pin1 include the mitotic regulators (Cdc25 phosphatase and NIMA, PLK I, Wee, and Myt1 kinases), several transcription factors like b-Catenin, c-Jun, and the tumor suppressor protein p53, and some specific proteins like the RNA Pol II, the cytoskeleton protein tau, and the G1/S protein Cyclin D1.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as EBI1 ligand chemokine (ELC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-3-beta (MIP-3-beta). CCL19 is expressed abundantly in thymus and lymph nodes, with moderate levels in trachea and colon and low levels in stomach, small intestine, lung, kidney and spleen. The gene for CCL19 is located on human chromosome 9. This chemokine elicits its effects on its target cells by binding to the chemokine receptor chemokine receptor CCR7. It attracts certain cells of the immune system, including dendritic cells and antigen-engaged B cells.

Zinc Finger HIT-Type Containing 3 (ZNHIT3) which contains one HIT-type zinc finger, requires the presence of thyroid hormone for its interaction. Thyroid receptor interacting proteins particularly interact with the ligand binding domain of the thyroid receptor (TR).