The caspase family of cysteine proteases play a key role in apoptosis. Caspase 3 is the most extensively studied apoptotic protein among caspase family members. Caspase 3 is synthesized as inactive pro enzyme that is processed in cells undergoing apoptosis by self proteolysis and/or cleavage by other upstream proteases (e.g. Caspases 8, 9 and 10). The processed form of Caspase 3 consists of large (17kDa) and small (12kDa) subunits which associate to form an active enzyme. Caspase 3 is cleaved

ICOS ligand is a member of the B7 family and the immunoglobulin superfamily. Human ICOS ligand is expressed by activated monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells. It binds to a CD28 like receptor, inducible costimulator molecule (ICOS, AILIM, CRP-1), which is expressed by activated T cells. This interaction plays an important role in the T cell costimulation pathway.

This gene encodes a cell adhesion protein which is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. The encoded protein is involved in cell-to-cell interactions as well as cell-matrix interactions during development and differentiation. The encoded protein has been shown to be involved in development of the nervous system, and for cells involved in the expansion of T cells and dendritic cells which play an important role in immune surveillance. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript

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

This gene encodes a member of the E protein (class I) family of helix-loop-helix transcription factors. E proteins activate transcription by binding to regulatory E-box sequences on target genes as heterodimers or homodimers, and are inhibited by heterodimerization with inhibitor of DNA-binding (class IV) helix-loop-helix proteins. E proteins play a critical role in lymphopoiesis, and the encoded protein is required for B and T lymphocyte development. Deletion of this gene or diminished acti

The Presenilin 1 (PS1) and Presenilin 2 (PS2) transmembrane proteins are components of high molecular weight complexes. These complexes mediate proteolytic cleavage within the transmembrane domain of several proteins, including the ∫-Amyloid precursor protein (∫APP) and Notch. Missense mutations in the genes encoding the Presenilin proteins increase the proteolysis of ∫APP and results in the overproduction of the neurotoxic ∫-Amyloid peptide, which results in a condition associated with