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Adrenocorticotropic hormone, as its name implies, stimulates the adrenal cortex. More specifically, it stimulates secretion of glucocorticoids such as cortisol, and has little control over secretion of aldosterone, the other major steroid hormone from the adrenal cortex. Stimulates secretion of adrenal corticosteroids and induces growth of adrenal cortex. ACTH also called Tetracosactide directly activates G-proteins. A stimulator of adenylate cyclase and cAMP formation.

Inhibins are dimeric peptide hormones produced by female ovarian granulose cells and male Sertoli cells as well as a variety of other tissues. Inhibins have two isoforms, A and B, with the same alpha subunit but different beta subunits. Inhibin A is a dimer of alpha and beta A subunits, inhibin B is a dimer of alpha and beta B subunits.
Inhibins are thought to inhibit the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. In addition, Inhibins are also thought to play a role in the control of gametogenesis, and embryonic and fetal development.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone synthesised and secreted by gonadotropes in the anterior pituitary gland. FSH and LH act synergistically in reproduction: In women, in the ovary FSH stimulates the growth of immature Graafian follicles to maturation. As the follicle grows it releases inhibin, which shuts off the FSH production. In men, FSH enhances the production of androgen-binding protein by the Sertoli cells of the testes and is critical for spermatogenesis. In both males and females, FSH stimulates the maturation of germ cells. In females, FSH initiates follicular growth, specifically affecting granulosa cells. With the concomitant rise in inhibin B FSH levels then decline in the late follicular phase. This seems to be critical in selecting only the most advanced follicle to proceed to ovulation. At the end of the luteal phase, there is a slight rise in FSH that seems to be of importance to start the next ovulatory cycle. Like its partner, LH, FSH release at the pituitary gland is controlled by pulses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Those pulses, in turn, are subject to the estrogen feed-back from the gonads.

GLP-2 functions as an intestinal growth factor, which stimulates intestinal epithelial growth. GLP2 is involved in diabetes-associated bowel growth. GLP2 enhances cell differentiation, playing a role as a cytokine and in tissue regeneration, and mediating cytoprotection. GLP2 is invloded numerous therapeutic applications. GLP2 regulates signaling pathways coupled to cell proliferation and cell death by apoptosis.
GLP-2 is produced by specific post-translational proteolytic cleavage of proGLP. GLP-2 is manufactured by the intestinal endocrine L cell and by several neurons in the central nervous system.

Agouti-related protein is an endogenous antagonist of hypothalamic alpha-melanocortin receptors MC3R and MC4R with potent orexigenic activity. Although a complete deletion of the AGRP gene does not produce any significant metabolic phenotypes, reduction in AGRP expression by RNA interference is associated with increased metabolic rate along with reduced weight gain. In hypothalamus, it is produced by neurons in the medial portion of arcuate nucleus, which produce also the potent orexigenic peptide Neuropeptide Y (NP-Y). Another site of central AGRP production is the hypothalamic nucleus. AGRP encompasses 132 amino acid residues and its alpha-melanocortin inhibiting activity results in a 34 amino acid cystine knot domain within the C-terminal (87-132) portion of the protein. Both AGRP and NP-Y expression was shown to be suppressed by leptin. Central administration of AGRP induces hyperphagia and increased gain in body weight in rodents, but may also exert metabolic effects even when hyperphagia is prevented. In the absence of hyperphagia, intracerebralventricular administration of AGRP caused significant increases in plasma leptin and insulin concentrations (twofold and 1.5-fold, respectively) and fat pad mass.
In the periphery, AGRP mRNA was found in adrenal glands, lung, testis, ovary, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in humans or rodents. In the adrenals, it was shown that AGRP antagonizes glucosteroid production mediated by MC4R. AGRP could then modulate locally the functions of some peripheral tissues such as adrenals.
In human and rat serum, detectable levels of AGRP-like activity were reported in the lower picogram range. The serum AGRP levels were elevated in obese humans compared to lean controls and increased with fasting in rats.

The precise role of CFLAR is not yet revealed but it seems it is vital in apoptosis regulation downstream of all identified death receptors.

Keratin 8 and 18 (K8/18) are the major components of intermediate filament (IF) proteins of simple or single-layered epithelia.

Twisted gastrulation Protein (TSG) is a secreted, cysteine-rich protein which has a role in dorsal/ventral patterning in Drosophila and Xenopus by regulating BMP signaling. TSG functions as an agonist for BMP signaling by controlling the inhibitory actions of the BMP antagonist, Chordin/Sog, and the cleavage properties of the metalloprotease, xolloid/tolloid. TSG N-terminal domain binds BMP protein directly and displays BMP antagonist activity.

Kallikreins are a subgroup of serine proteases having various physiological functions. Many kallikreins are implicated in carcinogenesis and some have potential of becoming novel cancer and other disease biomarkers. Kallikrein-13 (KLK13) is one of the fifteen kallikrein subfamily members located in a cluster on chromosome 19. KLK13 gene expression is regulated by steroid hormones and may be useful as a marker for breast cancer.

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.

PPIL2 is part of the cyclophilin family of peptidylprolyl isomerases which are highly conserved ubiquitous proteins that play an important role in protein folding, immunosuppression by cyclosporin A, and infection of HIV-1 virions. PPIL2 interacts with the proteinase inhibitor eglin c and is localized in the nucleus. PPIL2 increases folding of proteins andcatalyzes the cis-trans isomerization of proline imidic peptide bonds in oligopeptides.

Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 3 (CXCL3) is a small cytokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family that is also known as GRO3 oncogene (GRO3), GRO protein gamma (GROg) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2-beta (MIP2b). CXCL3 controls migration and adhesion of monocytes and mediates it effects on its target cell by interacting with a cell surface chemokine receptor called CXCR2. The gene for CXCL3 is located on chromosome 4 in a cluster of other CXC chemokines.

The hematopoietic growth factor GM-CSF or granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, stimulates the development of neutrophils & macrophages, enhance proliferation and development of early erythroid megakaryocytic & eosinophilic progenitor cells. GM-CSF is secreted from the fibroblasts, monocytes, T-lymphocytes & endothelial cells. This protein blocks the migration of neutrophils & induces the biological activity of mature end-cells.

Nucleobindin-2 (also known as NUCB2 or Nesfatin) is a EF-hand calcium-binding protein. Nucleobindin-2 takes part in calcium homeostasis and is a multifunctional protein that interacts with Ca(2+) nucleic acids & various regulatory proteins in different signaling pathways. NUCB2 (Nesfatin) is localized in neuronal perikarya and dendrites of mouse brain.

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 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.

Calmodulin-2 acts as an intracellular calcium sensor protein. When the intracellular Ca2+ concentration increases, calmodulin can bind up to four Ca2+, changing its conformation and regulating cellular functions such as activation or inhibition of a large number of enzymes, ion channels, and receptors. P53 protein stimulates CALM2 gene expression in 041 cells. CALM-2 is involved in the processes of Ca(2+)-induced neuronal cell death and the blockage of calmodulin attenuates brain injury after cerebral ischemia. Calmodulin-2 mediates the control of a large number of enzymes and other proteins by ca(2+). among the enzymes to be stimulated by the calmodulin-ca(2+) complex are a number of protein kinases and phosphatases.

Cytokeratin 14 is a member of the keratin family, the most diverse group of intermediate filaments. Cytokeratin 14 is a type I keratin, is usually found as a heterotetramer with two keratin 5 molecules, a type II keratin. Together they form the cytoskeleton of epithelial cells. Mutations in the genes for these keratins are associated with epidermolysis bullosa simplex. At least one pseudogene has been identified at 17p12-p11.

Cytokeratin 17 also known as KRT17 is a type I cytokeratin. KRT17 is found in nail beds, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and other epidermal appendages. Mutations in KRT17 lead to Jackson-Lawler type pachyonychia congenita and steatocystoma multiplex. KRT17 takes part in the formation and maintenance of a variety of skin appendages, particularly in determining shape and orientation of hair. KRT17 also modulates the function of TNF-alpha in the precise context of hair cycling. Moreover, KRT17 regulates protein synthesis and epithelial cell growth all through binding to the adapter protein SFN and by stimulating Akt/mTOR pathway.