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

Nanog is a newly identified homeodomain-bearing transcriptional factor. Nanog expression is specific to early embryos and pluripotential stem cells including mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) and embryonic germ (EG) cells. It is a key molecule involved in the signaling pathway for maintaining the capacity for self-renewal and pluripotency, bypassing regulation by the STAT3 pathway. Nanog mRNA is present in pluripotent mouse and human cell lines, and absent from differentiated cells. Nan

Component of intercellular desmosome junctions. Involved in the interaction of plaque proteins and intermediate filaments mediating cell-cell adhesion.Defects in DSG1 are the cause of palmoplantar keratoderma striate type 1 (SPPK1) [MIM:148700]; also known as keratosis palmoplantaris striata I. SPPK1 is a dermatoligical disorder characterized by thickening of the skin on the palms and soles, and longitudinal hyperkeratotic lesions on the palms, running the length of each finger.

The protein encoded by this gene is involved in the synthesis of asparagine. This gene complements a mutation in the temperature-sensitive hamster mutant ts11, which blocks progression through the G1 phase of the cell cycle at nonpermissive temperature. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, May 2010]