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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.

Cathepsin-A (CTSA) is a protective protein which is crucial for both the activity of beta-galactosidase and neuraminidase, CTSA associates with these enzymes and exerts a protective function required for their stability and activity. The CTSA protein is also a carboxypeptidase and can deamidate tachykinins. CTSA is a component of the lysosomal multienzyme complex along with beta-galactosidase and sialidase Neu1. CTSA is a multicatalytic enzyme with deamidase and esterase in addition to carboxypeptidase activities.

Leptin is a protein hormone. It is mainly produced in adipose cells that regulate energy homeostasis by restraining hunger. Leptin ties to nuclear receptors in the hypothalamus (arcuate nucleus). Similar to insulin resistance in type II diabetes, in obesity there is a decrease in the sensitivity towards leptin, ending in a failure to identify satiety, even in high levels of energy stores or leptin itself. Full-length cDNA encoding 2 leptin sequences (tLepA and tLepB) and 1 leptin receptor sequence (tLepR) exists in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The full-length cDNA of tLepR is 3423 bp, encoding a protein of 1140 amino acid which contained all functionally important domains conserved among vertebrate leptin receptors. The cDNAs of tLepA and tLepB are 486 bp and 459 bp in length, encoding proteins of 161 aa and 152 aa, respectively. The three-dimensional structures of tLepA and tLepB demonstrates strong conservation of tertiary structure with that of human leptin comprised of 4 helixes.

Decorin (DCN) is a small cellular or pericellular matrix proteoglycan which is closely related in structure to biglycan protein. Decorin is a secreted protein which binds to collagen and fibronectin in extracellular matrix. Decorin appears in different glycoforms, substituted with chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate consistent with the original tissue. DCN contains one attached glycosaminoglycan chain. Decorin influences the rate of fibril formation. Decorin is capable of suppressing the growth of various tumor cell lines. DCN gene defects cause corneal dystrophy. The DCN gene is a candidate gene for Marfan syndrome.

Lxn also known as Latexin is a member of the protease inhibitor I47 (latexin) family. Lxn's function is hardly reversible, non-competitive, as well as potent inhibitor of CPA1, CPA2 and CPA4. Furthermore, Lxn plays a role in inflammation. Among the diseases associated with LXN are endocervicitis and listeriosis.

S100A6 is a member of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized either in the cytoplasm or the nucleus of a wide range of cells. S100 proteins are involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. There are at least 13 members in the S100 gene family, which are located as a cluster on chromosome 1q21.
S100A6 may function in stimulation prolactin secretion, and exocytosis. Chromosomal rearrangements and altered expression of the S100A6 gene are implicated in melanoma.

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.

Recombinant Protein A/G fusion protein joins IgG binding domains of both Protein A and Protein G.
Protein A/G includes four Fc binding domains from Protein A and two from Protein G, yielding a final mass of 50.4 kDa. The binding dependency to pH of Protein A/G lower than Protein A, but has the additive properties of Protein A and G together. Protein A/G binds to all subclasses of human IgG, making it helpful for purifying polyclonal or monoclonal IgG antibodies whose subclasses have not been identifieed. Protein A/G binds to IgA, IgE, IgM and IgD. Protein A/G binds to all subclasses of mouse IgG excluding mouse IgA, IgM or serum albumin. This permits Protein A/G to be used in purification and detection of mouse monoclonal IgG antibodies, with no interference from IgA, IgM and serum albumin. Mouse monoclonal antibodies normally have a stronger affinity to the chimeric Protein A/G than to either Protein A or Protein G. Protein A/G also has been used for purification of macaque IgG.

The galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins implicated in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Galectin-1 is an autocrine negative growth factor that regulates cell proliferation. Galectin-1 regulates cell apoptosis and cell differentiation. Galectin-1 binds CD45, CD3 and CD4 & inhibits CD45 protein phosphatase activity and therefore the dephosphorylation of lyn kinase. Galectin-1 and its ligands are one of the master regulators of immune responses as T-cell homeostasis and survival, T-cell immune disorders, inflammation and allergies as well as host–pathogen interactions. Galectin-1 expression or overexpression in tumors and/or the tissue surrounding them must be considered as a sign of the malignant tumor progression that is often related to the long-range dissemination of tumoral cells (metastasis), to their dissemination into the surrounding normal tissue, and to tumor immune-escape. Galectin-1 in its oxidized form plays a number of important roles in the regeneration of the central nervous system after injury. The targeted overexpression (or delivery) of Galectin-1 should be considered as a method of choice for the treatment of some kinds of inflammation-related diseases, neurodegenerative pathologies and muscular dystrophies. In contrast, the targeted inhibition of Galectin-1 expression is what should be developed for therapeutic applications against cancer progression. Galectin-1 is thus a promising molecular target for the development of new and original therapeutic tools. There is 88% homology between the human and mouse galectin-1.

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).

MYL2 regulatory light chain is associated with cardiac myosin beta (or slow) heavy chain. Ca+ activates the phosphorylation of regulatory light chain that in turn activates contraction. Mutations in this MYL2 gene are related with mid-left ventricular chamber type hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. MYL2 is an essential protein that plays a role in the regulation of myosin ATPase activity in smooth muscle. MYL2 phosphorylation is regulated by ROCK and MLC kinase and is involved in platelet biogenesis by controlling proplatelet formation and fragmentation.

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.

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.

Cystatin E/M or CST6 is part of the cystatin type 2 family. Part of the cystatin type 2 family members can act as cysteine protease inhibitors, whereas cystatin E/M regulates cathepsin B inhibitors and not cathepsin C. cystatin E/M is a protein the when secreted, has an effect on osteogenesis and bone resorption, insulin regulation, response to systemic inflammation & hepatocyte growth factor receptors.

Dysbindin domain-containing protein 1 (DBNDD1) is a member of the dysbindin family.

a-Synuclein (amino acids 1-140), an acidic neuronal protein of 140 amino acids, is extremely heat-resistant and is natively unfolded with an extended structure primarily composed of random coils. a-synuclein has been suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, and more recently, to be an important regulatory component of vesicular transport in neuronal cells. Moreover, recent studies have shown that a-synuclein has chaperone activity and that this activity is lost upon removing its C-terminal acidic tail (amino acids 96-140).

DCTN2 is a 50kDa subunit of dynactin, which is a macromolecular complex consisting of 10-11 subunits ranging in size from 22 to 150 kDa. Dynactin binds to both microtubules and cytoplasmic dynein. Dynactin is involved in a various cellular functions, including ER-to-Golgi transport, the centripetal movement of lysosomes and endosomes, spindle formation, chromosome movement, nuclear positioning, and axonogenesis. The DCTN2 subunit is present in 4-5 copies per dynactin molecule. DCTN2 is comprised of 3 short alpha-helical coiled-coil domains which mediate association with self or other dynactin subunits. DCTN2 interacts directly with the largest subunit (p150) of dynactin and is able to affix p150 in place. DCTN2 modulates cytoplasmic dynein binding to an organelle, and plays a part in prometaphase chromosome alignment and spindle organization during mitosis. DCTN2 is involved in anchoring microtubules to centrosomes. DCTN2 has a role in synapse formation during brain development.

Neurotensin (NTS) is a common precursor for 2 peptides, neuromedin N and neurotensin. Neurotensin is a secreted tridecapeptide, which is generally distributed throughout the central nervous system, and may serve as a neurotransmitter or a neuromodulator. NTS is involved in dopamine-associated pathophysiological events, in the maintenance of gut structure and function, and in the regulation of fat metabolism. Tissue-specific processing may initiate the formation in some tissues of larger forms of neuromedin N and neurotensin. The large forms may embody more stable peptides which are also biologically active.

The 14-3-3 family of proteins plays a key regulatory role in signal transduction, checkpoint control, apoptotic and nutrient-sensing pathways. 14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed. There are at least seven isoforms that have been identified in mammals. The 14-3-3gamma, a subtype of the 14-3-3 family of proteins, was thought to be brain and neuron-specific. It has been shown to interact with RAF1 and protein kinase C, proteins involved in various signal transduction pathways.

PRMT1 Methylates (mono & asymmetric dimethylation) the guanidino nitrogens of arginyl residues present in a glycine and arginine-rich domain (may methylate HNRNPA1 and histones). Methylates SUPT5H.
The PRMT1 protein functions as a histone methyltransferase specific for H4.
PRMT1 is an essential factor in oncogenesis and is a potential novel therapeutic target in cancer.
PRMT1-mediated methylation serves as a positive modulator of IR/IRS-1/PI3K pathway and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells.
CAF1 is a new regulator of PRMT1-dependent arginine methylation.
PRMT1 arginine-methylates MRE11 therefore it regulates the activity of MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 complex during the intra-S-phase DNA damage checkpoint response.
PRMT1 plays a post-translationally part in regulating the transcriptional activity.
PRMT1is found predominantly in the cytoplasma though a fraction of PRMT1 is located in the nucleus.

Tachykinin-3 belongs to the substance P-related tachykinin family. Tachykinins are active peptides that stimulate neurons, induce behavioral responses, are effective vasodilators and secretagogues, and contract (directly or indirectly) many smooth muscles. TAC3 and its receptor are essential switches of regulator of human puberty, regulated by the brain through the release of the GnRH which starts a chain of processes which eventually lead to the production of sex hormones.
During pregnancy, the expression of TAC3 is restricted to the outer syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta, significant concentrations of TAC3 can be identified in plasma as early as week 9, and plasma concentrations of TAC3 are grossly elevated in pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. Higher Tachykinin-3 concentrations in normotensive pregnant women may be caused by the advanced gestational age and/or the result of a negative interaction of other vasoactive substances. TAC3 has a role in the continuance of high placental blood flow in normal pregnancy.

S100A8 is a part of the S100 family of proteins containing 2 EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. S100 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm and/or nucleus of a broad range of cells, and participate in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. S100A8 plays a role in the inhibition of casein kinase and as a cytokine. S100A8 altered expression is related with cystic fibrosis disease. S100A8 is a calcium-binding protein that has antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.S100A8 is crucial for resistance towards invasion by pathogenic bacteria. S100A8 up-regulates transcription of genes that are under the control of NF-kappa-B. S100A8 plays a role in the development of endotoxic shock in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. S100A8 endorses tubulin polymerization and promotes phagocyte migration and infiltration of granulocytes at sites of wounding. S100A8 takes part as a pro-inflammatory mediator in acute and chronic inflammation and up-regulates the release of IL8 and cell-surface expression of ICAM1.