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CUE Domain Containing 1, also know as CUEDC1 contains 1 CUE domain. The CUE domain is structurally associated to the ubiquitin-binding UBA domain and exists as a domain-swapped dimer which makes additional contacts with ubiquitin, and as a result, binds ubiquitin with higher affinity. The CUE domain is discovered in proteins with diverse functions including protein sorting and degradation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum.

ASMT is a member of the methyltransferase superfamily. ASMT participates in melatonin biosynthesis. ASMT Expressed in brain, retina and pineal gland, ASMT utilities to catalyze the final reaction in the synthesis of melatonin, particularly the conversion of S-adenosyl-L-methionine and N-acetylserotonin to S-adenosyl-Lhomocysteine and melatonin.

Stratifin is part of the 14-3-3 family. The 14-3-3 family of proteins plays an important regulatory function in signal transduction, checkpoint control, apoptotic and nutrient-sensing pathways. 14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed. There are 7 isoforms, beta, gamma, epsilon, sigma, zeta, tau and eta that have been identified in mammals. Stratifin is an epithelial cell marker that functions as a tumor suppressor whose expression can be down regulated via methylation. Failure of Stratifin expression results in a defective G2/M phase checkpoint and results in epithelial and non-epithelial tumorigenesis.

Synaptojanin 2 Binding Protein (SYNJ2BP) contains 1 PDZ (DHR) domain which binds to isoform 2A of SYNJ2 (through the unique motif in the C-terminus) and interacts with MAPK12.

MANF is a 20kDa protein which belongs to the ARMET family. MANF was originally known as an arginine-rich region protein which was extremely mutated in a large number of tumors. MANF Expression is induced during ER stress, signifying that MANF takes part in protein quality control during ER stress.

Recombinant Human Sonic Hedgehog is part of a small group of secreted proteins that are vital for development in both vertebrates and invertebrates. 3 mammalian hedgehog genes (sonic, desert, Indian) share about 60% homology. The Human Sonic Hedgehog is 99% homologous to the mouse gene. Sonic HedgeHog is a protein that is vital in guding the early embryo. It has been associated as the major inductive signal in patterning of the ventral neural tube, the anterior-posterior limb axis, and the ventral somites. Sonic HedgeHog binds to the patched receptor, which functions in association with smoothened, to activate the transcription of target genes. In the absence of sonic HedgeHog, patched receptor represses the constitutive signaling activity of smoothened. Sonic HedgeHog also regulates another factor, the gli oncogene. Sonic HedgeHog intercellular signal is essential for a various patterning events during development: signal produced by the notochord that induces ventral cell fate in the neural tube and somites, and the polarizing signal for patterning of the anterior-posterior axis of the developing limb bud. Sonic HedgeHog exhibits both floor plate- and motor neuron-inducing activity. Mutations in a long-range Sonic HedgeHog enhancer located in an intron of the limb region 1 gene result in preaxial polydactyly.

GDF8 is a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family and the TGF-beta superfamily. This group of proteins is characterized by a polybasic proteolytic processing site which is cleaved to produce a mature protein containing seven conserved cysteine residues. The members of this family are regulators of cell growth and differentiation in both embryonic and adult tissues. This gene is thought to encode a secreted protein which negatively regulates skeletal muscle growth.

Exenatide Derived from the saliva of the gila monster, is a 39 amino acid peptide that mimics the GLP-1 incretin, an insulin secretagogue with glucoregulatory effects. Typical responses to exenatide include improvements in the initial rapid release of endogenous insulin, suppression of glucagon release by the pancreas, regulation of gastric empyting, and reduced appetite - all of which function to lower blood glucose. Exenatide is self-regulating in that it lowers blood sugar when levels are elevated but does not continue to lower blood sugar when levels return to normal, unlike with sulfonylureas or insulins.

CDNF is a member of the ARMET family and acts as a trophic factor for neurons. CDNF inhibits the (6-OHDA)-induced degeneration of neurons. When CDNF controlled after 6-OHDA-lesioning, it reestablishes the function and inhibits the degeneration of neurons in substantia nigra. CDNF is universally expressed in neuronal and non-neuronal tissues. The highest levels in the brain are found in the optic nerve and corpus callosum.

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.

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.

SRGN is identified as a hematopoietic cell granule proteoglycan. Proteoglycans stored in the secretory granules of various hematopoietic cells also hold a protease-resistant peptide core, and is vital for neutralizing hydrolytic enzymes. SRGN is related to the macromolecular complex of granzymes and perforin that acts as a intermediary of granule-mediated apoptosis.

PNMT is an enzyme located in the adrenal medulla and it catalyzes the final step of the catecholamine biosynthesis pathway. PNMT has beta-carboline 2N-methyltransferase activity. PNMT takes part in regulating epinephrine production. Glucocorticoid receptors form multimers of PNMT independent of the DNA binding domain. PNMT expression is regulated late in mouse gestation by AP2-alpha and glucocorticoids.

Vimentin expression in human malignant glioma cells depends on cellular density, algorithms of drug delivery and chemo/radio treatment. Vimentin and detyrosinated microtubules provide structural support for the extensive microtentacles observed in detached tumor cells and a mechanism to promote successful metastatic spread. Primary colorectal carcinomas display aberrant expression of vimentin, and have activated Notch and TGFbeta signaling pathways. Vimentin is a strong arterial substrate for transglutaminases. Transglutaminase-mediated vimentin dimerization results in a novel unifying pathway by which vasodilatory and remodeling responses may be regulated. Ablation of vimentin expression inhibits migration and invasion of colon and breast cancer cell lines. Vimentin is the main intermediate filament protein in mesenchymal cells and is therefore of value in the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated neoplasms.

Human norovirus is classified into two groups, group 1& group 2. Norwalk virus is the species which belongs to group 1 and was discovered in 1968 at Ohio. Norovirus is a familiar virus which causes human gastroenteritis with the following symptoms vomiting, diarrhea and sickness. CDC report revealed that there are 19-21 million Americans infected by Nororvirus annually with 800 deaths, 1 in 15 people with infection. Around the world, this virus affects about 267 million people and causes over 200,000 deaths each year; these losses are mostly in less developed countries and in the very young, elderly and immuno-suppressed population, though, most cases are self-limited with a full recovery within just a few days.Norovirus is extremely contagious and can spread from human to human through infected food, water or contaminated surfaces. The outbreaks usually occur from November-April, while the peak is in January. Norovirus is a positive sense RNA virus with 7.5 kb nucleotides, encoding a major structural protein VP1 with 50-55kDa. The full length of VP1 capsid comprises the internal N-terminal, Hinge, shell (S) and protruding (P) domains. P domain from 225 to 520 forms P1- P2-P1 structure. Moreover, P domain has a receptor binding region which recognizes human histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs). P domain expressed in bacteria can spontaneously form a P dime as well as a P particle aggregated by 12 P dimmers. P particle displays an increased binding activity to HBGAs higher than virus-like particle (VLP) formed by the full-length capsid. For norovirus vaccine development, we consider P domain as a good candidate.

STMN2 is a neuronal growth-associated protein which shares a majority of its amino acid sequence with the phosphoprotein stathmin. STMN2 is involved in neuronal differentiation and in modulating membrane interaction with the cytoskeleton through neurite outgrowth. STMN2 is necessary for maintaining the anchorage-independent growth state of beta-catenin/TCF-activated hepatoma cells. SCG10 is a novel indicator of osteogenesis and osteoblast that takes part in the regulation of the adipocyte/osteoblast balance. STMN2 plays a role as an effector downstream of Rnd1 to regulate axon extensions by modulating microtubule organization.

Calmodulin (CaM) is an intracellular receptor protein for Ca2+-ions. It activates the myosin light chain kinase which is the catalyst of myosin phosphorylation. CaM participates in the activation of enzymes such as cyclic nucleotide- dependent phosphodiesterase, calcineurin, ATPase, Myosin Light Chain Kinases, and CAM kinase.

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.

Myostatin (GDF-8), a member of the TGFbeta superfamily, is a potent and specific negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. In serum, myostatin circulates as part of a latent complex containing myostatin propeptide and/or follistatin-related gene. The myostatin propeptide is known to bind and inhibit myostatin in vitro. This interaction is relevant in vivo, with a majority (>70%) of myostatin in serum bound to its propeptide. The myostatin propeptide is negative regulator of myostatin in vivo.

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.

Adiponectin, also referred to as Acrp30, AdipoQ and GBP-28, is a recently discovered 244 amino acid protein, the product of the apM1 gene, which is physiologically active and specifically and highly expressed in adipose cells (Adipokine). The protein belongs to the soluble defense collagen super family; it has a collagen-like domain structurally homologous with collagen VIII and X and complement factor C1q-like globular domain. APM-1 forms homotrimers, which are the building blocks for higher order complexes found circulating in serum.