Osteoprotegerin (OPG), also called OCIF (osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor) is a secreted 55-60 kDa protein that regulates bone density. As a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily of proteins, it is designated TNFRSF11B. Human OPG cDNA encodes 401 amino acids (aa) including a 21 aa signal peptide and a 380 aa mature soluble […]

Nesfatin-1 (NEFA Encoded Satiety and Fat-influencing protein 1) is a secreted, 10 kDa peptide derived from the translation product of the NUCB2 gene. Human Nesfatin-1 shares 85% aa identity with mouse Nesfatin-1. It is a naturally occurring protein and originally identified as a hypothalamic neuropeptide. Additionally, Nesfatin can be found in other areas of brain, […]

NOV is a member of the CCN family of secreted, cysteine-rich regulatory proteins. The full-length NOV protein contains four structural domains that confer distinct, and sometimes opposing, biological activities. Elevated expression of NOV is associated with certain tumors, including Wilm’s tumor and most nephroblastomas. However, in other tumor types and certain cancer cell lines, increased […]

Protein NOV homolog, also known as Nephroblastoma-overexpressed gene protein homolog, NOV, and CCN3, is a putative ligand for integrin receptors, is tightly associated with the extracellular matrix, and mediates diverse cellular functions, including cell adhesion and proliferation. CCN3 has been shown to negatively regulate growth although it promotes migration in a cell type-specific manner. This […]

As the first member of membrane type (MT) MMPs, MMP-14, also known as MT1-MMP, plays an important role in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling by being able to degrade type I collagen, activate pro-MMP-2 and process cell adhesion molecules such as CD44 and integrin alpha V. MMP-14 is therefore a key enzyme in many physiological and […]

MIC-B (MHC class I chain-related gene B) is a single-pass type I member protein. A closely related protein, MICA, shares 85% amino acid identity with MICB. It is widely expressed in many, but not all, epithelial tumors of lung, breast, kidney, ovary, prostate and colon. In addition to this, it is produced by hepatocellular carcinomas, […]

Myoglobin is a member of the globin superfamily and is predominantly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscles. It forms a monomeric globular haemoprotein that is primarily responsible for the storage and facilitated transfer of oxygen from the cell membrane to the mitochondria. This protein also plays a role in regulating physiological levels of nitric oxide.

Melanoma Inhibiting Activity (MIA), also known as cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein (CD-RAP), is an approximately 11-15 kDa protein that is secreted as a noncovalent homodimer and is structurally related to OTOR/Otoraplin and MIA-2. Mature human MIA contains a SH3 domain and shares 90% and 92% amino acid sequence identity with mouse and rat MIA, respectively. […]

MIC-A (MHC class I chain-related gene A) is a single-pass type I member protein. It is expressed on the cell surface in gastric epithelium, endothelial cells and fibroblasts and in the cytoplasm in keratinocytes and monocytes. Additionally, MIC-A can be induced by bacterial and viral infections. A closely related protein, MICB, shares 85% amino acid […]

Melanoma Inhibitor Activity Protein 2 (MIA-2) encoded by MIA2 gene in humans, is a secreted cytokine that is highly expressed in liver and weakly in testis. The patients with severe fibrosis or inflammation and chronic hepatitis have higher level of MIA2 than other. Levels of MIA2 may severe as a clinically utility marker for diagnosis […]