Key component of innate and adaptive immunity. TLRs (Toll-like receptors) control host immune response against pathogens through recognition of molecular patterns specific of microorganisms. TLR7 is a nucleotide-sensing TLR which is activated by single-stranded RNA. Acts via MYD88 and TRAF6, leading to NF-kappa-B activation, cytokine secretion and the inflammatory response.
Catalase is the classical marker for peroxisomes and is the most abundant protein within peroxisomes. It is found in almost all aerobically respiring organisms and serves to protect cells from the toxic effects of hydrogen peroxide.
Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) catalyzes the conversion of L glutamate to g-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and a putative paracrine signal molecule in pancreatic islets. GAD has a restricted tissue distribution. It is highly expressed in the cytoplasm of GABAergic neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) and pancreatic beta cells. It is also present in other non-neuronal tissues such as testis, oviduct and ovary. GAD is also transientl
This gene encodes a member of the mucin protein family. Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins produced by many epithelial tissues. The protein encoded by this gene is secreted and forms an insoluble mucous barrier that protects the gut lumen. The protein polymerizes into a gel of which 80% is composed of oligosaccharide side chains by weight. The protein features a central domain containing tandem repeats rich in threonine and proline that varies between 50 and 115 copies in differe
Immunoglobulins belong to a group of related glyco proteins which make up 20% of serum proteins. Antigens and immunoglobulins react to confer immunity to individuals. Immunoglobulins have similar structures of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains. Both the heavy chains and the light chains are divided into constant and variable regions. The constant regions have the same amino acid sequences between all the immunoglobulin classes. The variable regions have approximately
This gene encodes a preproprotein, which is processed to yield both alpha and beta chains, which subsequently combine as a tetramer to produce haptoglobin. Haptoglobin functions to bind free plasma hemoglobin, which allows degradative enzymes to gain access to the hemoglobin, while at the same time preventing loss of iron through the kidneys and protecting the kidneys from damage by hemoglobin. Mutations in this gene and/or its regulatory regions cause ahaptoglobinemia or hypohaptoglobinemia.