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Epidermal growth factor has a profound effect on the differentiation of specific cells in vivo and is a potent mitogenic factor for a variety of cultured cells of both ectodermal and mesodermal origin. The EGF precursor is believed to exist as a membrane-bound molecule which is proteolytically cleaved to generate the 53-amino acid peptide hormone that stimulates cells to divide. EGF stimulates the growth of several epidermal and epithelial tissues in vivo and in vitro and of some fibroblasts in cell culture.

HD Domain Containing 2, also known as HDDC2 is a member of the HDDC2 family. HDDC2 is an enzyme which contains one HD domain and it is expected to exhibit phosphohydrolase activity. It has been proposed that HDDC2 takes part in nucleic acid metabolism, signal transduction and possibly other functions in bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes. The HD domain consists of highly conserved residues, in particular histidines or aspartates. Porphyria cutanea tarda, Parkinson’s disease and Stickler syndrome have all been related with HDDC2.

The transcription of heat-shock genes is rapidly induced after temperature stress in response to environmental changes, and it is also involved in oogenesis, spermatogenesis, and placental development. Hsp90, is a major repressor of HSF1 gene. HSF1 is known for its participation in heat shock response. HSF1 protein regulates the transcription of hundreds of targets, such as genes involved in protein folding, detoxification, energy generation, carbohydrate metabolism, and cell wall organization.
HSF1 binds to MTA1 in vitro & in breast carcinoma. Suppression of estrogen-dependent transcription may contribute to role of HSF1 in cancer.
Human cancer lines of diverse origins express higher dependence on HSF1 function to maintain proliferation and survival than their non-transformed counterparts.
HSF1 induces anticoagulation and relaxation factors in vascular endothelial cells and could therefore be used to treat cardiovascular disease. HSF1 is directly involved in the regulation of HO1 having an anti-oxidative role.
NF-kappaB and HSF1 are systemically activated in human acute pancreatitis.
HSF1 activation protects against severity of pancreatitis.
HSF is a vital transcription factor which plays a role in up-regulation of VDUP1 expression through stresses such as elevated density and serum deprivation cultures.

NGF-beta has nerve growth stimulating activity and the complex is involved in the regulation of growth and the differentiation of sympathetic and certain sensory neurons. Mutations in this gene have been associated with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, type 5 (HSAN5), and dysregulation of this gene's expression is associated with allergic rhinitis.

ETS homologous factor (EHF) is a part of the ESE subfamily of Ets transcription factors. Ets factors are an important kind of transcriptional regulators which take part in hema-topoiesis, angiogenesis, organogenesis, oncogenesis and specification of neuronal connectivity. EHF is expressed solely in a subset of epithelial cells, with highest expression noticed in glandular epithelium of the prostate, pancreas, salivary gland and trachea. EHF transactivates the c-Met promoter via 3 high affinity binding sites, which support the notion that EHF contribute to branching morphogenesis.

BDNF promotes the survival of neuronal populations that are all located either in the central nervous system or directly connected to it. BDNF is a major regulator of synaptic transmission and plasticity at adult synapses in many regions of the cns. The versatility of BDNF is emphasized by its contribution to a range of adaptive neuronal responses including long-term potentiation (ltp), long-term depression (ltd), certain forms of short-term synaptic plasticity, as well as homeostatic regulation of intrinsic neuronal excitability.

TGF-beta receptor-associated protein 1 also known as TGFBRAP1 takes part in the TGF-beta/activin signaling pathway. TGFBRAP1 is related with inactive heteromeric TGF-beta and activin receptor complexes, mainly through the type II receptor, and is released upon activation of signaling. TGFBRAP1recruits SMAD4 to the vicinity of the receptor complex and smoothes the progress of its interaction with receptor-regulated Smads, such as SMAD2.

PLGF is a growth factor active in angiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth, stimulating their proliferation and migration. It binds to receptor vegfr-1/flt1.

CD74 (HLA class II histocompatibility antigen gamma chain isoform b), is a transmembrane protein (on antigen presenting cells) which is the invariant chain that chaperones MHC class IIdimers from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface. CD74 is expressed by cells of both T lymphocyte and Blymphocyte lineages. CD74 upregulated in several cancers and is also expressed by non immune cells during inflammation. Diseases related with CD74 include thymic epithelial neoplasm and gastroduodenitis. Among its related super-pathways are Immune System and Immune response Antigen presentation by MHC class II. In addition CD74 functions as cell surface receptor for the cytokine MIF.

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.

HAGH is a part of the glyoxalase family and a thiolesterase which hydrolyses S-lactoyl-glutathione to reduced glutathione and D-lactate. HAGH protein is a detoxifying enzyme of glycolysis byproduct methylglyoxal and a target of p63 and p73 and serves as a pro-survival factor of the p53 family. HAGH appears only as a monomer and binds two zinc ions per subunit.

Hemoglobin subunit gamma-2 (HBG2), is a member of the globin family. HBG2 belongs to the fetal hemoglobin subunit, which comprised of two alpha chains organized with 2 gamma chains. HBG2 Amplified fetal hemoglobin production in adults and improve the clinical severity of sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia major.

Basic fibroblast growth factor is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. This protein functions as a modifier of endothelial cell migration and proliferation, as well as an angiogenic factor. It acts as a mitogen for a variety of mesoderm- and neuroectoderm-derived cells in vitro, thus is thought to be involved in organogenesis. Three alternatively spliced variants encoding different isoforms have been described. The heparin-binding growth factors are angiogenic agents in vivo and are potent mitogens for a variety of cell types in vitro. There are differences in the tissue distribution and concentration of these 2 growth factors.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-6 (FGF6) belongs to the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. FGF family members possess extensive mitogenic and cell survival functions, and are involved in various biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. The FGF6 gene displayes oncogenic transforming activity when transfected into mammalian cells. The mouse homolog of the FGF6 gene displays a restricted expression profile predominantly in the myogenic lineage, suggesting a role in muscle regeneration or differentiation.

PLGF is a growth factor active in angiogenesis, and endothelial cell growth, stimulating their proliferation and migration. It binds to receptor vegfr-1/flt1.

Entry of HSV into the host cell involves interactions of several viral glycoproteins with cell surface receptors. The virus particle is covered by an envelope which, when bound to specific receptors on the cell surface, will fuse with the cell membrane and create an opening, or pore, through which the virus enters the host cell. The sequential stages of HSV entry are analagous to those of other viruses. At first, complementary receptors on the virus and cell surface bring the two membranes into proximity. In an intermediate state, the two membranes begin to merge, forming a hemifusion state. Finally, a stable entry pore is formed through which the viral envelope contents are introduced to the host cell.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an important signaling protein involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. As its name implies, VEGF activity has been mostly studied on cells of the vascular endothelium, although it does have effects on a number of other cell types (e.g. stimulation monocyte/ macrophagemigration, neurons, cancer cells, kidney epithelial cells ).VEGF mediates increased vascular permeability, induces angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth, promotes cell migration, and inhibits apoptosis. In vitro, VEGF has been shown to stimulate endothelial cell mitogenesisand cell migration. VEGF is also a vasodilator and increases microvascular permeability and was originally referred to as vascular permeability factor.
Elevated levels of this protein are linked to POEMS syndrome, also known as Crow-Fukase syndrome. Mutations in this gene have been associated with proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Connective Tissue Growth Factor belongs to the CCN family of proteins. The CCN family presently consists of six members in human also known as: Cyr61 (Cystein rich 61), CTGF (Connective Tissue Growth Factor), Nov (Nephroblastoma Overexpressed gene), WISP-1, 2 and 3 (Wnt-1 Induced Secreted Proteins). The CCN genes encode secreted proteins associated with the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and cell membrane. CCN proteins are matricellular proteins which are involved in the regulation of various cellular functions including: proliferation, differentiation, survival, adhesion and migration. They are expressed in derivatives of the three embryonic sheets and are implicated in the development of kidney, nervous system, muscle, bone marrow, cartilage and bone. During adulthood, they are implicated in wound healing, bone fracture repair, and pathologies such as: fibrosis, vascular ailments and tumorigenesis.
Full length secreted CCN proteins can show an antiproliferative activity, whereas truncated isoforms are likely to stimulate proliferation and behave as oncogenes. The full length protein consists of four modulesModule I shares partial identity with the N-terminal part of the Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins (IGFBPs).
Module II includes a stretch of 70amino acid residues – which shares sequence identity with the Von Willebrand Factor Type C repeat (VWC).
Module III contains sequences sharing identity with the Thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSP1) (WSXCSXXCG), which is thought to be implicated in the binding of sulfated glycoconjugates and to be important for cell adhesion. Module IV, also designated CT, is encoded by exon5. It is the leasts conserved one of the four domains at the level of nucleotide sequence, but it appears to be critical for several of the biological functions attributed to the CCN proteins. Module IV resembles the CT domain of several extracellular protein including, Von Willebrand's factor and mucins. Sequence similarities to heparin-binding motifs are also found within this domain. Proteolysis of the secreted full-length CCN proteins that has been reported in the case of CCN2 and CCN3 might result in the production of CCN-derived peptides with high affinity for ligands that full-length CNN proteins bind only poorly. Amino-truncated CCN2 isoforms were biologically active whereas no specific biological activity has been attributed to the truncated CCN3. Although the molecular processes underlying the production of these secreted isoforms is presently unknown, it is important to note that proteolysis occur at the same amino acid residues in both CCN2 and CCN3. An elevated expression of CCN2 has also been detected by Northern blotting in human invasive mammary ductal carcinomas, dermatofibromas, pyogenic granuloma, endothelial cells of angiolipomas and angioleiomyomas, and in pancreatic tumors. A study performed with chondrosarcomas representative of various histological grades established that CCN2 expression was closely correlated with increasing levels of malignancy. In agreement with CCN2 playing a role in brain tumor angiogenesis, immunocytochemistry studies indicated that both glioblastoma tumor cells and proliferating endothelial cells stained positive for CCN2. In astrocytomas, CCN2 expression was particularly elevated in high grade tumors, with a marked effect of CCN2 on cell proliferation. Downregulation of CCN2 expression in these cells was associated with a growth arrest at the G1/S transition while over-expression of CCN2 induced a two-fold increase of the number of cells in the G1 phase. Gene profiling analysis allowed to identify a set of about 50 genes whose expression might account for the proliferative activity of CCN2 in these cells.
CCN2 was seen in a higher proportion of mononuclear cells of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1) belongs to the GDNF receptor family. GFRA1 is a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol(GPI)-linked cell surface receptor for both Glial cell line-derived growth factor (GDNF), neurturin (NTN), and mediates activation of the RET tyrosine kinase receptor. The GFRA1 protein is a potent survival factor for central and peripheral neurons, and is vital for the development of kidneys and the enteric nervous system.

HPGD is the essential enzyme of prostaglandin degradation. 15-PGDH protein strongly decreases the biologic activity of these molecules by catalyzing the oxidation of the 15-hydroxyl group of prostaglandins to a keto group. GDH1 is involved in numerous physiologic and cellular processes, for instance inflammation.

Placental Growth Factor, also known as PGF is rich in trophoblastic giant cells which are linked with the parietal yolk sac at early stages of embryogenesis. Furthermore, the secretion of PGF by trophoblastic giant cells is the signal which initiates as well as co-ordinates vascularization in the deciduum and placenta during early embryogenesis.

BDNF is crucial for the signal survival eukaryotes. BDNF is responsible for the development, repair, adaptation and proper functionality of the nervous system.
BDNF major roles include Neuron survival and development, synaptic flexibility, stress adaptation, Repair and recovery post injury/disease and Pain signaling.

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.