Other Proteins

Activin and inhibin are two closely related protein complexes that have almost directly opposite biological effects. The activin and inhibin protein complexes are both dimeric in structure, and, in each complex, the two monomers are linked to one another by a single disulfide bond. Activin is composed of two ? subunits, ?A ?A (activin A), ?B ?B (activin B), or ?A ?B (activin AB). Inhibin is composed of an alpha and one of two ? subunits, ?A (inhibin A) or ?B (inhibin B). Activins are produced in many cell types and organs, such as gonads, pituitary gland, and placenta. In the ovarian follicle, activin increases FSH binding and FSH-induced aromatization. It participates in androgen synthesis enhancing LH action in the ovary and testis. In the male, activin enhances spermatogenesis. Also, Activin plays a role in wound repair and skin morphogenesis. Activin is strongly expressed in wounded skin, and overexpression of activin in the epidermis of transgenic mice improves wound healing and e

Interleukin-18 (IL-18; also known as interferon-gamma inducing factor) is a proinflammatory cytokine that belongs to the IL-1 superfamily and is produced by macrophages and other cells. This cytokine can induce the IFN-gamma production of T cells. The combination of IL-18 and IL12 has been shown to inhibit IL4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production; and enhance IgG2a production of B cells. IL-18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine; and thus negatively regulate its biological activity. IL-18 is an IL-1−like cytokine that requires cleavage with caspase-1 to become active; was found to increase IgE production in a CD4+ T cells-; IL-4− and STAT6−dependent fashion. IL-18 and T cell receptor−mediated stimulation could induce naïve CD4+ T cells to develop into IL-4−producing cells in vitro. Thus; caspase-1 and IL-18 may be critical in regulation of IgE production in vivo; providing a potential therapeutic target for allergic diso

Interleukin-18 (IL-18; also known as interferon-gamma inducing factor) is a proinflammatory cytokine that belongs to the IL-1 superfamily and is produced by macrophages and other cells. This cytokine can induce the IFN-gamma production of T cells. The combination of IL-18 and IL12 has been shown to inhibit IL4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production; and enhance IgG2a production of B cells. IL-18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine; and thus negatively regulate its biological activity. IL-18 is an IL-1−like cytokine that requires cleavage with caspase-1 to become active; was found to increase IgE production in a CD4+ T cells-; IL-4− and STAT6−dependent fashion. IL-18 and T cell receptor−mediated stimulation could induce naïve CD4+ T cells to develop into IL-4−producing cells in vitro. Thus; caspase-1 and IL-18 may be critical in regulation of IgE production in vivo; providing a potential therapeutic target for allergic diso

Interleukin-18 (IL-18; also known as interferon-gamma inducing factor) is a proinflammatory cytokine that belongs to the IL-1 superfamily and is produced by macrophages and other cells. This cytokine can induce the IFN-gamma production of T cells. The combination of IL-18 and IL12 has been shown to inhibit IL4 dependent IgE and IgG1 production; and enhance IgG2a production of B cells. IL-18 binding protein (IL18BP) can specifically interact with this cytokine; and thus negatively regulate its biological activity. IL-18 is an IL-1−like cytokine that requires cleavage with caspase-1 to become active; was found to increase IgE production in a CD4+ T cells-; IL-4− and STAT6−dependent fashion. IL-18 and T cell receptor−mediated stimulation could induce naïve CD4+ T cells to develop into IL-4−producing cells in vitro. Thus; caspase-1 and IL-18 may be critical in regulation of IgE production in vivo; providing a potential therapeutic target for allergic diso

Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 28 (CCL28) is a novel chemokine that shares the most homology with CCL27/CTACK. CCL28 shows chemotactic activity for resting CD4, CD8 T-cells and eosinophils. It Binds to CCR3 and CCR10 and induces calcium mobilization in a dose-dependent manner. CCR10 (GPR2 orphan receptor) is also the receptor for CCL27/CTACK. CCL28 is preferentially expressed by epithelial cells of diverse tissues, with highest expression level in normal and pathological colon. It is also expressed in normal and asthmatic lung tissues. Human and mouse CCL28 shares 83% sequence identity in their mature regions.

Estrogen Receptor is a major ligand-activated transcription factor belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. Estrogen Receptor is composed of several domains important for hormone binding, DNA binding, and activation of transcription. The protein localizes to the nucleus where it may form a homodimer or a heterodimer with estrogen receptor 2. Estrogen and its receptors are essential for sexual development and reproductive function, but they also play a role in other tissues such as bone. Estrogen receptors are also involved in pathological processes including breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and osteoporosis. Alternative splicing results in several transcript variants, which differ in their 5' UTRs and use different promoters.

Complexes with metalloproteinases (such as collagenases) and irreversibly inactivates them by binding to their catalytic zinc cofactor. May form part of a tissue-specific acute response to remodeling stimuli. Known to act on MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-13, MMP-14 and MMP-15.

Actin proteins are major components of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton. At least six vertebrate actin isoforms have been identified. The cytoplasmic β- and γ-actin proteins are referred to as “non-muscle” actin proteins as they are predominantly expressed in non-muscle cells where they control cell structure and motility. The α-cardiac and α-skeletal actin proteins are expressed in striated cardiac and skeletal muscles, respectively. The smooth muscle α-actin and γ-actin proteins are found primarily in vascular smooth muscle and enteric smooth muscle, respectively. The α-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) is also known as aortic smooth muscle actin. These actin isoforms regulate the contractile potential of muscle cells.

TRAPPC6A (trafficking protein particle complex 6A), also known as TRS33 or HSPC289, is a 159 amino acid protein that localizes to the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum. Belonging to the TRAPP small subunits family and the BET3 subfamily, TRAPPC6A may play a role in vesicular transport during the biogenesis of melanosomes. TRAPPC6A is part of the multisubunit TRAPP tethering complex, which acts as a GTP exchange factor. TRAPPC6A exists as a heterodimer with TRAPPC3 and undergoes alternative splicing to produce two isoforms. TRAPPC6A is encoded by a gene located on human chromosome 19, which consists of approximately 63 million bases and makes up over 2% of human genomic DNA.