The oligodendrocyte lineage-specific basic helix-loop-helix (OLIG) family of transcription factors include OLIG1-OLIG3, which differ in tissue expression. OLIG1 and OLIG2 are specifically expressed in nervous tissue as gene regulators of oligodendrogenesis. OLIG2 is more widely expressed in embryonic brain than OLIG1, while OLIG3 is primarily expressed in non-neural tissues. OLIG1 and OLIG2 interact with the Nkx-2.2 homeodomain protein, which is responsible for directing ventral neuronal patt

This gene encodes the integrin alpha M chain. Integrins are heterodimeric integral membrane proteins composed of an alpha chain and a beta chain. This I-domain containing alpha integrin combines with the beta 2 chain (ITGB2) to form a leukocyte-specific integrin referred to as macrophage receptor 1 ('Mac-1'), or inactivated-C3b (iC3b) receptor 3 ('CR3'). The alpha M beta 2 integrin is important in the adherence of neutrophils and monocytes to stimulated endothelium, and also in the phago

This gene encodes a protein which is a member of the cysteine-aspartic acid protease (caspase) family. Sequential activation of caspases plays a central role in the execution-phase of cell apoptosis. Caspases exist as inactive proenzymes which undergo proteolytic processing at conserved aspartic residues to produce 2 subunits, large and small, that dimerize to form the active enzyme. This gene was identified by its ability to proteolytically cleave and activate the inactive precursor of inter

This gene encodes a 140 kDa protein that is stored in the alpha-granules of platelets and Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells. This protein redistributes to the plasma membrane during platelet activation and degranulation and mediates the interaction of activated endothelial cells or platelets with leukocytes. The membrane protein is a calcium-dependent receptor that binds to sialylated forms of Lewis blood group carbohydrate antigens on neutrophils and monocytes. Alternative splice v

This gene encodes the major type IV alpha collagen chain of basement membranes. Like the other members of the type IV collagen gene family, this gene is organized in a head-to-head conformation with another type IV collagen gene so that each gene pair shares a common promoter. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Arginase I which is expressed almost exclusively in the liver, catalyzes the conversion of arginine to ornithine and urea . The human arginase I gene, which maps to chromosome 6q23, encodes a 322 amino acid protein. Arginase I exists as a homotrimeric protein and contains a binuclear manganese cluster. Arginase II catalyzes the same reaction as arginase I, but differs in its tissue specificity and subcellular location. Specifically, arginase II localizes to the mitochondria. Arginase II is e