Current Protein and Peptide Science - Volume 15, Issue 8, 2014

Cytochrome b561 (CYB561) proteins are ascorbate reducible, trans-membrane proteins consisting of 200-300 amino acids, about half of which are hydrophobic. The first identified CYB561 protein was discovered more than 40 years ago, and is localized in the chromaffin granule membrane of the mammalian adrenal glands. Proteins with similar structural elements and biophysical and biochemical properties were identified in a Read More

Specific receptors for classical neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, as well as the Na+, K+-ATPase, are all molecular entities inserted into synaptic region membranes and localized contiguously. Herein, available experimental evidence showing close interactions between the activity of the Na+, K+-ATPase and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) ionotropic glutamate receptor was reviewed, supporting a functional link bet Read More

Lactoferrin or lactotransferrin is a multifunctional glycoprotein found in blood circulation, mucosal surfaces, neutrophils, and in various secretory fluids, such as milk, bile, tears, nasal secretion, pancreatic juice, and saliva. The lactoferrin content in milk varies between different mammalian species and, within one species, between lactation periods. Although lactoferrin is known to be involved with immunoprotection, its funct Read More

The Sigma Receptor 1 (sig-1R) is a protein present in numerous normal tissues, such as brain, retina, lens, liver, lung, heart, but also in many tumor lines. Its amino acid sequence is homologous to fungal C-8,7 sterol isomerase, but it has no known homology with mammalian proteins and does not possess sterol isomerase activity. It is localized in plasma and ER membranes, and its exact function is not clarified as of yet. Last re Read More

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is characterized by the accumulation of unfolded and misfolded proteins in the ER lumen. Unfolded and misfolded protein accumulation interferes with the ER function and triggers ER stress response. Thus, ER stress response, also called unfolded protein response (UPR), is an adaptive process that controls the protein amount in the ER lumen and the downstream protein demand. I Read More

The prevailing view is that not only can some of the tumor antigens be used as biosensors for cancers, but also they may indeed be used as targets for immunotherapy. The identification of tumor antigens becomes a vital step in oncology research. Both the humoral immune system and the cellular immune system are activated in response to a tumor antigen in vivo of patients with tumor. Immune effector molecules and cell Read More

The antiaging protein of Klotho is a transmembrane protein mainly expressed in the kidney, parathyroid glands and choroid plexus of the brain. The Klotho protein exists in two forms, a full-length membrane form and a soluble secreted form. The extracellular domain of Klotho can be enzymatically cleaved off and released into the systemic circulation where it acts as β-glucuronidase and a hormone. Soluble Klotho can Read More

Psoriasin (S100A7) is one of the members in the S100 protein family. It was first discovered as a protein abundantly expressed in psoriatic keratinocytes. Psoriasin has been implicated in a wide range of intracellular and extracellular functions, including regulation of calcium homeostasis, cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, cell invasion and motility, cytoskeleton dynamics, protein phosphorylation, regu Read More