The epidermal growth factor (EGF)-TM7 family constitutes a group of class B G-protein coupled receptors, which includes CD97, EMR1 (EGF-like molecule containing mucin-like hormone receptor 1, designated F4/80 in mouse), EMR2, EMR3, FIRE, and ETL (1–3). These family members are characterized by an extended extracellular region with several N-terminal EGF domains, and are predominantly expressed on cells of the immune system (1–3). The EGF-TM7 protein family are encoded by a gene cluster on h

Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 (AIF1)or ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) is expressed selectively in microglia/macrophages and is a Ca2+-binding peptide produced by activated monocytes and microglial cells. It has been suggested that AIF1 expression is associated with chronic inflammatory processes. AIF1 is expressed by activated monocytes and might participate in a variety of pathogenic processes in the mammalian brain and in chronic transplant rejection. It has been show

Beclin 1 is the first identified mammalian gene to mediate autophagy and also has tumor suppressor and antiviral function. Autophagy, a process of bulk protein degradation through an autophagosomic lysosomal pathway, is important for differentiation, survival during nutrient deprivation, and normal growth control, and is often defective in tumor cells. Beclin 1 was originally isolated in a yeast two hybrid screen to identify Bcl 2 binding partners and maps to a tumor susceptibility locus o

Inward rectifier potassium channels are characterized by a greater tendency to allow potassium to flow into the cell rather than out of it. Their voltage dependence is regulated by the concentration of extracellular potassium; as external potassium is raised, the voltage range of the channel opening shifts to more positive voltages. The inward rectification is mainly due to the blockage of outward current by internal magnesium.

This gene encodes a type I membrane protein that is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. This protein is expressed by antigen-presenting cells, and it is the ligand for two proteins at the cell surface of T cells, CD28 antigen and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4. Binding of this protein with CD28 antigen is a costimulatory signal for activation of the T-cell. Binding of this protein with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 negatively regulates T-cell activation ａnd

Myosins are actin-based motor molecules with ATPase activity. Unconventional myosins serve in intracellular movements. Their highly divergent tails are presumed to bind to membranous compartments, which would be moved relative to actin filaments. In retina, myosin VIIa may play a role in trafficking of ribbon-synaptic vesicle complexes and renewal of the outer photoreceptors disks. In inner ear, it may maintain the rigidity of stereocilia during the dynamic movements of the bundle.