Search results

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.

SERTA domain containing 2 (SERTAD2) takes part at E2F-responsive promoters to integrate signals which are given by PHD- and bromodomain-containing transcription factors. The SERTAD2 protein is taking part in modulating fat storage by down-regulating the expression of key genes which take part in thermogenesis, adipocyte lipolysis and oxidative metabolism.

Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) is a member of the MsrA Met sulfoxide reductase family. The MSRA enzyme has a vital function as a repair enzyme for proteins which have been inactivated by oxidation. MSRA catalyzes the reversible oxidation-reduction of methionine sulfoxide in proteins to methionine. The three substrates of the MSRA enzyme are peptide-L-methionine, thioredoxin disulfide, and H2O, while its 2 products are peptide-L-methionine (R)-S-oxide and thioredoxin. The MSRA protein is ubiquitous and extremely conserved. Human and animal studies have shown the ultimate levels of expression in kidney and nervous tissue.

SSR4 is a member of the TRAP-delta family. SSR4 is the delta subunit of the translocon-associated protein complex that participates in translocating proteins through the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. SSR4 positioned in the Xq28 region and organized in a compact head-to-head manner with the isocitrate dehydrogenase 3 (NAD+) gamma gene. Both genes are motivated by a CpG-embedded bidirectional promoter.

RARRES2 is a secreted chemotactic protein that initiates chemotaxis through the ChemR23 G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane domain ligand. RARRES2 acts as an adipokine, and is truncated on both termini from the proprotein. RARRES2 is structurally related to the cathelicidin precursors, cystatin C and kininogens. RARRES2 promotes calcium mobilization and chemotaxis of immature dendritic cells and macrophages. RARRES2 is secreted as a precursor of little biological activity, which requires proteolytic cleavage of its COOH-terminal domain to be exchangeed into a potent and highly specific agonist of ChemR23. RARRES2 signals via its receptor, ChemR23 (CMKLR1), as a positive regulator of adipocyte differentiation and metabolic function. The Chemerin receptor acts as a coreceptor for SIV and some primary HIV-1 strains.

FAS / CD95 is a 36kDa transmembrane type I receptor, which belongs to the NF/NGF receptor super-family. It is a potent inducer of apoptosis in cells of the immune system upon interaction with its natural ligand, CD95L. Although the CD95/CD95L system could play a role in tumor regression, tumor cells seem to down-regulate CD95 expression as a mechanism of resistance to CD95L-induced killing by T lymphocytes and NK cells. The Fas antigen is expressed on the surface of various cell types, including activated T and B lymphocytes and T lymphoblastoid cell line. CD95 is also expressed in a broad panel of non-transformed cells outside the immune system.

Threonyl-tRNA Synthetase is a member of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family, key enzymes of protein biosynthesis which charge tRNA molecules with the respective amino acids. This 83 kDa protein is an autoantigen recognized by PL-7 antibodies which occur in a subset of patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Preliminary data suggest that PL-7 antibodies (similar to Jo-1 antibodies) indicate an increased risk for lung involvement, but this needs to be confirmed for a larger number of cases.

TSSK2 is a testis-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase required during spermatid development which phosphorylates TSKS at 'Ser-288' and SPAG16. TSSK2 takes part in the late stages of spermatogenesis, during the reconstruction of the cytoplasm. During spermatogenesis, TSSK2 is necessary for the transformation of a ring-shaped structure around the base of the flagellum originating from the chromatoid body.

RASSF1A is a protein similar to the RAS effector proteins. Loss or altered expression of the RASSF1A gene has been linked to the pathogenesis of a variety of cancers, which suggests the tumor suppressor function of the RASSF1A gene. The inactivation of the RASSF1A gene was found to be interconnected with the hypermethylation of its CpG-island promoter region. The RASSF1A protein was found to interact with DNA repair protein XPA. RASSF1A was also shown to inhibit the accumulation of cyclin D1, and thus induce cell cycle arrest.

FARSB, also known as Phenylalanyl-TRNA Synthetase Beta is a member of the phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase beta subunit family. FARSB is composed tetramer of two alpha and two beta subunits. In the presence of ATP, this tetramer is accountable for attaching L-phenylalanine to the terminal adenosine of the appropriate tRNA.

Threonyl-tRNA synthetase, cytoplasmic (TARS) is a member of the class-II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family. The main role of TARS is in tRNA aminoacylation. The N-terminal domain of the TARS enzyme is responsible for the competition with the ribosome whereas the catalytic and the C-terminal domain are involved in binding the 2 anticodon arm-like structures in the operator.

Albumin is synthesized in the liver as preproalbumin which has an N-terminal peptide that is removed before the nascent protein is released from the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The product, proalbumin, is in turn cleaved in the Golgi vesicles to produce the secreted albumin. Albumin is a soluble, monomeric protein which comprises about one-half of the blood serum protein. Albumin functions primarily as a carrier protein for steroids, fatty acids, and thyroid hormones and plays a role in stabilizing extracellular fluid volume. Mutations in this gene on chromosome 4 result in various anomalous proteins. Albumin is a globular unglycosylated serum protein of molecular weight 65,000. The human albumin gene is 16,961 nucleotides long from the putative 'cap' site to the first poly (A) addition site. It is split into 15 exons which are symmetrically placed within the 3 domains that are thought to have arisen by triplication of a single primordial domain.
HSA is widely used to stabilize

Salmonella Typhi is a pathogen causing typhoid fever, affecting over 17 million people with approximately 600,000 deaths annually worldwide. If untreated, typhoid fever cases result in mortality rates ranging from 12-30%.

TNFRSF14, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is a type I transmembrane protein. TNFRSF14 is expressed in peripheral blood T cells, B cells, monocytes and in various tissues enriched in lymphoid cells. TNFRSF14 operates as a co-stimulatory factor for the activation of lymphoid cells and as a deterrent to infection by herpesvirus. Additionally, TNFRSF14 encourages the proliferation of T cells, and triggers apoptosis of various tumor cells.

Ras-related protein Ral-A (RALA) is a member of the small GTPase superfamily, Ras family of proteins. RALA mediates a distinct downstream signaling pathway from Ras which facilitates cellular transformation. Furthermore, RALA is thought to be involved in various signaling cascades, including regulation of the cytoskeleton, vesicle trafficking, and endocytosis.

Ras-related protein Ral-A (RALA) is a member of the small GTPase superfamily, Ras family of proteins. RALA mediates a distinct downstream signaling pathway from Ras which facilitates cellular transformation. Furthermore, RALA is thought to be involved in various signaling cascades, including regulation of the cytoskeleton, vesicle trafficking, and endocytosis.

Salmonella Typhi is a pathogen causing typhoid fever, affecting over 17 million people with approximately 600,000 deaths annually worldwide. If untreated, typhoid fever cases result in mortality rates ranging from 12-30%.

The AsnRS enzyme is a member of the ligases family, specifically those forming carbon-oxygen bonds in aminoacyl-tRNA and related compounds. An asparagine-tRNA ligase is an enzyme which catalyzes the chemical reaction: ATP + L-asparagine + tRNAAsn AMP + diphosphate + L-asparaginyl-tRNAAsn. The three substrates of the AsnRS enzyme are ATP, L-asparagine, and tRNA(Asn), whereas its three products are AMP, diphosphate, and L-asparaginyl-tRNA(Asn).

Sjogren syndrome/scleroderma autoantigen 1, SSSCA1 is involved in mitosis. SSSCA1 is a centromere-associated protein which can induce anti-centromere antibodies. In addition SSSCA1 is recognized by a subset of anti-centromere antibodies from patients with sclerodermaand Sjogren's syndrome.

WARS is part of the class I tRNA synthetase family. 2 types of tryptophanyl tRNA synthetase exist, a cytoplasmic form, called WARS, and a mitochondrial form, called WARS2. WARS catalyzes the aminoacylation of tRNA(trp) with tryptophan and is induced by INF. WARS controls ERK, Akt, and eNOS activation pathways that are related with angiogenesis, cytoskeletal reorganization and shear stress-responsive gene expression.

ASS1 is involved in the urea cycle, which is a sequence of chemical reactions that is localized in liver cells. The urea cycle processes excess nitrogen that is generated as the body uses proteins. The surplus nitrogen is used to create a molecule called urea, which is excreted from the body in urine.

ORF73 protein of human herpesvirus 8 is a Kaposi''s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latent protein that is suspected of playing a critical role in modulating viral and cellular gene expression. ORF73 is linked to cellular chromatin and stays on the chromosomes during cell division. ORF73 maintains the viral genomes during cell division by tethering the viral episomes to the chromosomes. ORF73 binds directly to replication origin recognition complexes which are primarily connected with the terminal repeat region of the HHV8 genome.

H3N2 is a subtype of the influenza A virus. Its name derives from the forms of the two kinds of proteinson the surface of its coat, hemagglutinin(H) and neuraminidase(N). H3N2 exchanges genes for internal proteins with other influenza subtypes. H3N2 has tended to dominate in prevalence over H1N1, H1N2, and influenza B. H3N2 strain descended from H2N2 by antigenic shift, in which genes from multiple subtypes re-assorted to form a new virus. Both the H2N2and H3N2 strains contained genesfrom avian influenzaviruses.