Adenosine is involved in a variety of processes, including the synthesis of urea, the anti-inflammatory response, and the inhibition of protein synthesis. The Adenosine receptors, including Adenosine A1-R, Adenosine A2A-R, Adenosine A2B-R and Adenosine A3-R, are integral membrane proteins that are members of the G protein-coupled receptor family. Adenosine A1-R mediates ureagenesis in a partially calcium-dependent manner. Adenosine is known to mediate coronary vasodilation via Adenosine A2A-R

The placental-derived growth factor (PIGF) is a dimeric glycoprotein showing a high degree of sequence similarity to the vascular endothelial growth factor. Alternative splicing of the PIGF primary transcript gives rise to two forms, named PIGF-1 and PIGF-2, which differ only in the insertion of a highly basic 21-amino acid stretch at the carboxyl end. The presence of the PIGF mRNA in thyroid, placenta, lung, and goiter has indicated the tissues where this factor functions. However, the role

This gene encodes a member of the basic helix-loop-helix (BHLH) family of transcription factors. The protein activates transcription by binding to the E box (5'-CANNTG-3'). Dimerization with other BHLH proteins is required for efficient DNA binding. This protein plays a role in the neuronal commitment and differentiation and in the generation of olfactory and autonomic neurons. Mutations in this gene may contribute to the congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) phenotype in rare

Melan A, a product of the MART-1 gene, is a melanocyte differentiation marker recognized by autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Other melanoma-associated markers recognized by autologous cytotoxic T cells are reported to include MAGE-1, MAGE-3, tyrosinase, gp100, gp75, BAGE-1 and GAGE-1. The analysis of these different molecules and their expression in individual melanomas may be of help in the study of their particular molecular roles in melanocyte differentiation and tumorigenesis.

Reelin (or Reln) is a large glycoprotein that is secreted by Cajal-Retzius cells in the forebrain and by granule neurons in the cerebellum. Reelin was shown to be mutated in “reeler” mice, a mutation that is associated with widespread disruption of laminated regions of the brain, leading to impaired motor coordination, tremors and ataxia. Reelin protein expression is complex and changes throughout development. Reelin appears to function upstream of Dab1 in a signaling pathway that controls

Modulation of the chromatin structure plays an important role in the regulation of transcription in eukaryotes. The nucleosome, made up of four core histone proteins (H2A, H2B, H3 and H4), is the primary building block of chromatin. The N-terminal tail of core histones undergoes different posttranslational modifications including acetylation, phosphorylation and methylation. These modifications occur in response to cell signal stimuli and have a direct effect on gene expression. In most spec