Tight junctions mediate the regulation of the paracellular pathway between epithelial and endothelial cells. They form close connections to eliminate the extracellular space and regulate the flow of solutes between cells. The human gene PCLN-1 (paracellin-1) is related to the claudin family of integral membrane proteins, which localize to tight junctions. PCLN-1 contains four transmembrane domains and intracellular amino and carboxy termini, characteristic of the other claudin family member

This gene encodes the most abundant protein in human blood. This protein functions in the regulation of blood plasma colloid osmotic pressure and acts as a carrier protein for a wide range of endogenous molecules including hormones, fatty acids, and metabolites, as well as exogenous drugs. Additionally, this protein exhibits an esterase-like activity with broad substrate specificity. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate the mature protein. A peptide derived from

Troponin I (TnI), along with troponin T (TnT) and troponin C (TnC), is one of 3 subunits that form the troponin complex of the thin filaments of striated muscle. TnI is the inhibitory subunit; blocking actin-myosin interactions and thereby mediating striated muscle relaxation. The TnI subfamily contains three genes: TnI-skeletal-fast-twitch, TnI-skeletal-slow-twitch, and TnI-cardiac. This gene encodes the TnI-cardiac protein and is exclusively expressed in cardiac muscle tissues. Mutations

Glutamate receptors constitute the principal excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in brain. Two classes of glutamate receptors exist: Ionotropic receptors, and metabotropic receptors (mGluRs). Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5b (GRM5) activity is mediated by a G-protein that activates a phosphatidylinositol-calcium second messenger system and generates a calcium-activated chloride current. The metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 (mGlu5) is expressed in two splice variants, mGlu5a and mGl

Stem Cell Factor (SCF), also known as c-Kit ligand (KL), steel factor (SLF) and mast cell growth factor (MGF), is a 30 kDa glycoprotein with broad activities on various tissues, including hematopoietic cells, pigment cells, and primordial germ cells. SCF is secreted by endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and bone marrow stromal cells as a membrane-bound form which may be cleaved to release the soluble form. Both forms are active in promoting colony formation from murine bone marrow cells, but me

The CD168 antigen is a non-integral cell surface hyaluronan receptor and intracellular protein. When hyaluronan binds to CD168, the phosphorylation of a number of proteins, including the focal adhesion kinase occurs. CD168 activation regulates various cellular processes including cell migration, proliferation, signaling, regulation of gene expression, cell differentiation, morphogenesis, and metastasis via both extracellular and intracellular pathways. CD168 is involved in cellular transform