Search results

Meteorin (METRN) is involved in both glial cell differentiation and axonal network formation during neurogenesis. METRN promotes astrocyte differentiation and transforms cerebellar astrocytes into radial glia. Moreover, the METRN protein stimulates axonal extension in small and intermediate neurons of sensory ganglia by activating nearby satellite glia.

Lamin-A is a major component of the nuclear lamina, a dynamic meshwork located just under the nuclear envelope and it is encoded by lamin A/C gene (LMNA).
Lamin-A is synthesized as Prelamin A, a longer precursor that in vivo goes through a serial post-translational modifications that lead to mature Lamin A.
Diverse mutations in the Lamin A/C gene are associated with different diseases that are collectively called laminophaties, including Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, familiar partial lipodystrophy, limb girdle muscular dystrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and Hutchinson-Gilford progeria 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.

Streptavidin is a tetrameric protein secreted by Streptomyces avidinii which binds firmly to biotin. Streptavidin is wilyde used in molecular biology through its unique high affinity for the vitamin biotin. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the biotin-streptavidin complex is about ~10-15 mol/L. The strong affinity recognition of biotin and biotinylated molecules has made streptavidin one of the most important components in diagnostics and laboratory kits. The streptavidin/biotin system has one of the biggest free energies of association of yet observed for noncovalent binding of a protein and small ligand in aqueous solution (K_assoc = 10**14). The complexes are also extremely stable over a wide range of temperature and pH.

CB1 cannabinoid receptor-interacting protein 1 (CNRIP1) is a 164 amino acid protein and G-protein coupled receptor which is a member of the CNRIP family. The CNRIP1 interacts with the C-terminal tail of cannabinoid receptor 1. CNRIP1 is expressed in the brain tissue and, at low levels, in the testis. CNRIP1 is involved in appetite, synaptic plasticity, neuroprotection and analgesia.

A 16-kDa peptide hormone secreted from white adipocytes and implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Leptin provides the key afferent signal from fat cells in the feedback system that controls body fat stores.

SPON1 is a cell adhesion protein which take part in the regulation of protein binding activity, regulation of protein processing and regulation of amyloid precursor protein catabolic mechanism. SPON1 is found in the extracellular space and it co-localizes with collagen-containing extracellular matrix. SPON1 stimulates the attachment of spinal cord and sensory neuron cells and the outgrowth of neurites in vitro.

Osteopontin is a glycoprotein that was primarilyfound in osteoblasts and takes part in bone remodeling, immune functions in fibroblasts, macrophages, & lymphocytes during inflammation and wound healing. SPP1 highlybinds to hydroxyapatite. SPP1 forms an integral part of the mineralized matrix. SPP1 is vital to cell-matrix interaction.
Secreted Phosphoprotein-1 protects against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury through late preconditioning. Expression of Ostepontin and CD44 in hepatocellular carcinoma is linked to advanced tumor stage &leads to prognosis information. SPP1 is the most over-expressed gene in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Secreted Phosphoprotein-1 overexpression is related with interstitial lung diseases.

GDF10 is a member of the BMP family and the TGF-beta superfamily. GDF10 is expressed in femur, brain, lung, skeletal, muscle, pancreas and testis, and has a role in head formation and possibly multiple roles in skeletal morphogenesis. In humans, GDF10 mRNA is found in the cochlea and lung of fetuses, and in testis, retina, pineal gland, and other neural tissues of adults. The BMP family members are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. These proteins are characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing 7 conserved cysteine residues.

The La protein is a 47 kDa polypeptide that frequently acts as an autoantigen in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome patients. La is involved in various aspects of RNA metabolism, including binding and protecting 3-prime UUU(OH) elements of newly RNA polymerase III - transcribed RNA, processing 5-prime and 3-prime ends of pre-tRNA precursors, acting as an RNA chaperone, and binding viral RNAs linked to hepatitis C virus. It occurs in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, where it assumes different roles. In the nucleus, La protein facilitates the production of tRNAs, acting as an RNA polymerase III (RNAP III) transcription factor by attaching to the U-rich 3'UTR of nascent transcripts, aiding in their folding and maturation. In the cytoplasm, La protein facilitates the translation of specific mRNAs, acting as a translation factor. As an RNA binding protein (RBP), La protein associates with subsets of mRNAs which contain a 5'-terminal oligopyrimidine (5'TOP) motif known to direct protein synthesis. The binding of La protein to particular classes of RNA molecules regulates their downstream processing, guards them from endonuclease digestion, and organizes their export from the nucleus. La/SS-B appears to be readily disposed to proteolysis, which results in many smaller (42kD, 320, and 270) nevertheless still immunoreactive polypeptides. La/SS-B antigen is strongly conserved across species. Anti-La/SS-B autoantibodies were originally found as precipitating autoantibodies in sera of Sjogren's Syndrome patients and referred to as SjT. Anti-La/SS-B precipitins are most frequently found in Sjogren's Syndrome, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Subacute Cutaneous Lupus. Also, there seems to be a correlation between anti-La/SS-B and the absence of nephritis in SLE patients.

RELM-beta (Resistin-Like Molecule-beta) is a member of a recently identified family of secreted proteins containing a conserved cystein-rich C-terminus. The RELM family consists of resistin (also called FIZZ3), RELM-alfa (FIZZ1), RELM-beta (FIZZ2) and RELM-gamma. Only resisistin and RELM-beta were found in humans whereas all four RELM family members were identified in rodents.
RELM-beta appears to be produced as a homodimer exclusively by intestinal goblet cells and can be found in high quantities in stool. Remarkably, stool of germ-free mice displaying sterile intestinal tract does not contain RELM-beta until bacterial colonization takes place after pathogen-free mice entered natural environment. Some, but not all, colon carcinoma cell lines secrete RELM-beta into the cell culture supernatant.
The physiological function of RELM-beta is not known. High doses of recombinant RELM-beta showed hyperglycemic effects including lowered glucose disposal and increased hepatic glucose production in mice.

HCV is a small 50nm, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNAvirus in the family Flaviviridae.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, the HCV has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host's immune response. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six genotypes(1-6) with several subtypes within each genotype. The preponderance and distribution of HCV genotypes varies globally. Genotype is clinically important in determining potential response to interferon-based therapy and the required duration of such therapy. Genotypes 1 and 4 are less responsive to interferon-based treatment than are the other genotypes (2, 3, 5 and 6).

KRT18 encodes the type I intermediate filament chain keratin 18. Keratin 18, together with its filament partner keratin 8, are perhaps the most commonly found members of the intermediate filament gene family. They are expressed in single layer epithelial tissues of the body. Mutations in this gene have been linked to cryptogenic cirrhosis. Two transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene.

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.

Wheat Gliadin and related gluten components from barley, rye and possibly oats can cause an abnormal immune response called Celiac disease which is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Celiac disease characteristics are flattening of the jejunal mucosa and intestinal lesions of variable severity in hereditarily inclined individuals. Even though Celiac disease is not a classic autoimmune disease it is related to anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies and gliadin antibodies tests are most recommended in screening populations at risk for CD and other gluten-sensitive enteropathies. In the past, serologic tests for gliadin antibodies usually were not very precise and were not enough for accurate diagnosis due to missing deamidated epitopes within the authentic gliadin fraction traditionally used in diagnostic test kits. ProSpec's deamidated Gliadin isoform matches to the deamidated neo-epitopes, which in the natural antigen are formed by transglutaminase-mediated glutamine side chain deamidation.

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.

Legumain, also known as LGMN is a lysosomal cysteine protease which is found in all mouse tissues, however it was mainly abundant in the kidney as well as placenta. LGMN plays an essential role in the endosomal/lysosomal degradation system as the Legumain deficiency causes the accumulation of pro cathepsins B, H & L, another group of lysosomal cysteine proteases. Furthermore, over expression of LGMN in tumors is important for invasion/metastasis.

CTNNBIP1 binds CTNNB1 and avoids interaction between CTNNB1 and TCF (T-cell transcription factor) family members. CTNNBIP1 is a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway.

Agrin or AGRN is a large protein (proteoglycan) that has a crucial part in the development of neuromuscular junction amid embryogenesis. The protein has an involvement in the collection and aggregation of acetylcholine receptors through synaptogenesis. The agrin gene can be found and expressed in rat embryonic nervous system andmuscle tissue. This Agrin protein is aggregated in the synapses, there it can take part in regeneration & development. The protein binds to receptors on the surface of skeletal muscle.

SEPT5 is a member of the septin gene family of nucleotide binding proteins which were initially defined in yeast as cell division cycle regulatory proteins. Septins are extremely conserved in yeast, Drosophila, and mouse and seem to regulate cytoskeletal organization. Interference of septin function disrupts cytokinesis and results in high multinucleate or polyploid cells.

Alpha 1 ACT is an early-stage acute-phase plasma protein and a serpin that preferentially inactivates chymotrypsin, cathepsin G, and chymase. Alpha-1-ACT, a serine protease inhibitor, is tightly associated with amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in normal aged human and monkey brain.
Regulation of the serine proteases and serine protease inhibitors plays an important role in neuromuscular differentiation. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), a chymotrypsin-like serine protease, is predominantly complexed to Alpha-1-ACT.

The secreted polypeptide noggin, encoded by the NOG gene, binds and inactivates members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily signaling proteins, such as bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4). By diffusing through extracellular matrices more efficiently than members of the TGF-beta superfamily, noggin may have a principal role in creating morphogenic gradients. Noggin appears to have pleiotropic effect, both early in development as well as in later stages. It was originally isolated from Xenopus based on its ability to restore normal dorsal-ventral body axis in embryos that had been artificially ventralized by UV treatment. The results of the mouse knockout of noggin suggest that it is involved in numerous developmental processes, such as neural tube fusion and joint formation. Recently, several dominant human NOG mutations in unrelated families with proximal symphalangism (SYM1) and multiple synostoses syndrome (SYNS1) were identified; both SYM1 and SYNS1 have multiple joint fusion as their principal feature, and map to the same region (17q22) as NOG. All NOG mutations altered evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of human noggin is highly homologous to that of Xenopus, rat and mouse.

Sclerostin Domain Containing 1 (SOSTDC1) belongs to the sclerostin family and an N-glycosylated, secreted protein with a C-terminal cystine knot-like domain. The SOSTDC1 protein acts as a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist. Specifically, SOSTDC1 directly associates with BMPs, prohibiting them from binding their receptors, thus regulating BMP signaling throughout cellular proliferation, differentiation, and programmed cell death. SOSTDC1 may also be involved in the onset of endometrial receptivity for implantation/sensitization for the decidual cell reaction Enhances Wnt signaling and hinders TGF-beta signaling. In addition, SOSTDC1 directly antagonizes the activity of BMP2, BMP4, BMP6 and BMP7 in a dose-dependent manner.