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Mesoderm development candidate 2 (MESDC2) is required for formation of the primitive streak and mesoderm during embryogenesis. MESDC2 binds to the Wnt co-receptors LRP5 and LRP6 in the endoplasmic reticulum and is required for their proper folding and cell surface expression.

Mesoderm development candidate 1 (MESDC1) is a member of the MESD family. MESDC1 is a 362 amino acid protein encoded by a gene which maps to human chromosome 15q25.1. MESDC1 serves as a chaperone for low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) proteins in the ER, and specifically associates with Wnt signaling pathway coreceptors LRP5 and LPR6. MESDC1 is needed for proper LRP5/6 folding and maturation to the cell surface, which has a key role in Wnt signaling.

Mesoderm development candidate 2 (MESDC2) is required for formation of the primitive streak and mesoderm during embryogenesis. MESDC2 binds to the Wnt co-receptors LRP5 and LRP6 in the endoplasmic reticulum and is required for their proper folding and cell surface expression.

EED is a part of the Polycomb-group family whose members form multimeric protein complexe that are involved in preserving the transcriptional repressive state of genes over successive cell generations. EED mediates repression of gene activity through histone deacetylation, and acts as a specific regulator of integrin function. EED protein interacts with enhancer of zeste 2, the cytoplasmic tail of integrin ?7, immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) MA protein, and histone deacetylase proteins.

GDNF promotes the survival and differentiation of minergic neurons in culture, and is able to prevent apoptosis of motor neurons induced by axotomy. The encoded protein is processed to a mature secreted form that exists as a homodimer. The mature form of the protein is a ligand for the product of the RET (rearranged during transfection) protooncogene. In addition to the transcript encoding GDNF, two additional alternative transcripts encoding distinct proteins, referred to as astrocyte-derived trophic factors, have also been described. Mutations in this gene may be associated with Hirschsprung disease.
GDNF enhances survival and morphological differentiation of minergic neurons and increases their high-affinity uptake.

The somatomedins, or insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), comprise a family of peptides that play important roles in mammalian growth and development. IGF1 mediates many of the growth-promoting effects of growth hormone (GH; MIM 139250). Early studies showed that growth hormone did not directly stimulate the incorporation of sulfate into cartilage, but rather acted through a serum factor, termed 'sulfation factor,' which later became known as 'somatomedin' (Daughaday et al., 1972). Three main somatomedins have been characterized: somatomedin C (IGF1), somatomedin A (IGF2; MIM 147470), and somatomedin B (MIM 193190) (Rotwein, 1986; Rosenfeld, 2003).

WNT1-inducible-signaling pathway protein 2 (WISP2) belongs to the WNT1 inducible signaling pathway (WISP) protein subfamily, which belongs to the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) family. The CTGF family members are characterized by 4 conserved cysteine-rich domains: insulin-like growth factor-binding domain, von Willebrand factor type C module, thrombospondin domain and C-terminal cystine knot-like (CT) domain. WISP2 protein lacks the CT domain which is implicated in dimerization binding. WISP2 is possibly involved in bone remodeling. WISP2 is expressed in primary osteoblasts and fibroblasts. WISP2 stimulates osteoblast adhesion and inhibits osteocalcin production. WISP2 expression in colon tumors is reduced while the other 2 WISP members are overexpressed in colon tumors. WISP2 may play an imperative role in modulating bone turnover.

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.

MDS1 is a transcriptional regulator and oncoprotein which takes part in hematopoiesis, development, cell differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation. MDS1 is able to interact with CTBP1, SMAD3, CREBBP, KAT2B, MAPK8, and MAPK9. Overexpression, as a result of translocation with the AML1 gene, is known to cause leukemia. A number of transcript variants encoding several different isoforms were found.

Developmental pluripotency-associated 5 proteins (DPPA5) is a 116 amino acid protein, which localizes to the cytoplasm and contains one KH domain. DPPA5 is expressed in embryonic germ (EG), primordial germ (PG) and embryonic stem (ES) cells. DPPA5 has an imperative role in the maintenance of ES cell pluripotency and may be essential for proper embryogenesis.

Sclerostin Domain Containing 1 (SOSTDC1) belongs to the sclerostin family and an N-glycosylated, secreted protein with a C-terminal cystine knot-like domain. The SOSTDC1 protein acts as a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist. Specifically, SOSTDC1 directly associates with BMPs, prohibiting them from binding their receptors, thus regulating BMP signaling throughout cellular proliferation, differentiation, and programmed cell death. SOSTDC1 may also be involved in the onset of endometrial receptivity for implantation/sensitization for the decidual cell reaction Enhances Wnt signaling and hinders TGF-beta signaling. In addition, SOSTDC1 directly antagonizes the activity of BMP2, BMP4, BMP6 and BMP7 in a dose-dependent manner.

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.

Limb Bud And Heart Development, (LBH) belongs to the LBH family.LBH is highly expressed in the heart, and expressed at low levels in placenta, lung, skeletal muscle, kidney and liver. In addition, LBH protein is a transcriptional activator which may act in mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Among the diseases associated with LBH are celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

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.

DPPA4 takes part in the conservation of active epigenetic status of target genes and prevents differentiation of embryonic cells into a primal ectoderm extraction.

SMAD4 is part of the SMAD family of proteins that mediate signal transduction by the TGF-beta/activin/BMP-2/4 cytokine superfamily from receptor Ser/Thr protein kinases at the cell surface to the nucleus. SMAD4 promotes the binding of the SMAD2/SMAD4/FAST-1 complex to DNA and provides the function of activation required for SMAD1 or SMAD2 to stimulate transcription acts as a tumor suppressor. SMAD4 is a target molecule for functional inactivation in cervical cancer. SMAD4 is an important biomarker for malignant transformation atakes part in inducing apoptosis by modulating Bcl-2/Bax balance.

Ectodysplasin A Receptor, also known as EDAR belongs to the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. EDAR is a receptor for the soluble ligand ectodysplasin A, and is capable of activating the nuclear factor-kappaB, JNK, as well as caspase-independent cell death pathways. EDAR is necessary for the development of hair, teeth, and other ectodermal derivatives. Furthermore, mutations in EDAR resulted in autosomal dominant and recessive forms of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

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.

Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MAP2K3) is a dual specificity protein kinase which is a member of the MAP kinase kinase family. MAP2K3 is activated by mitogenic and environmental stress, and participates in the MAP kinase-mediated signaling cascade. MAP2K3 phosphorylates and consequently activates MAPK14/p38-MAPK.

Homeobox C11 (HOXC11) is a member of the Abd-B homeobox family. The homeobox genes encode well conservedfamily of transcription factors that play a vital role in morphogenesis in all multicellular organisms. HOXC11is one of numerous homeobox HOXC genes placed in a cluster on chromosome 12. HOXC11 attaches to a promoterelement of the lactase-phlorizin hydrolase. HOXC11 also takes part in early intestinal development. An alternativelyspliced variant encoding a shorter isoform has been defined however, its full-length nature has not been determined.

Melanoma-associated antigen D1 (MAGED1) belongs to the melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) family and expressed in virtually all normal adult tissues. MAGED1 is involved in the p75 neurotrophin receptor mediated programmed cell death pathway. MAGED1 is involved in Prader-Willi syndrome including hyperphagia, repetitive and compulsive behaviors, and cognitive impairment. MAGED1 is involved in the apoptotic response following NGF (nerve growth factor) binding in neuronal cells. MAGED1 hinders cell cycle progression, and facilitates NGFR-mediated apoptosis. MAGED1 functions as a regulator of the function of DLX family members. MAGED1 has a role in the circadian rythm regulation.

Meis Homeobox 3, also known as MEIS3 is a member of the TALE/MEIS homeobox family. MEIS3 contains 1 homeobox DNA-binding domain. In addition, MEIS3 is over expressed in the Brain - Amygdala , Uterus , Brain - Anterior cingulate cortex and Brain – Cortex.

MAX protein is part of the basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLHZ) family of transcription factors. MAX forms homodimers and heterodimers with Mad, Mxi1 and Myc. Myc is an oncoprotein implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The homodimers and heterodimers compete for a common DNA target site (the E box) and rearrangement among these dimer forms offers a complex system of transcriptional regulation. In contrast to Myc, which is exceedingly regulated throughout progression during the cell cycle, Max is very stable and is much more abundant than Myc.

The MCFD2-LMAN1 complex forms an explicit cargo receptor for the ER-to-Golgi transport of selected proteins. MCFD2 is involved in the secretion of coagulation factors. MCFD2 is expressed by neural stem/progenitor cells of the hippocampus, and localized to region where neurogenesis persists throughout life. MCFD2 prevents NSC cell death and maintains stem cell characteristics. MCFD2 forms a complex with LAMN1 that facilitates the transport of coagulation factors V and VIII from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus through an endoplasmic reticulum Golgi intermediate compartment. Mutations in the MCFD2 cause Factor V and Factor VIII combined deficiency.