Neurofilaments usually contain three intermediate filament proteins: NEFL, NEFM, and NEFH which are involved in the maintenance of neuronal caliber. May additionally cooperate with the neuronal intermediate filament proteins PRPH and INA to form neuronal filamentous networks.
Neurexophilin-1, or NXPH1 is a secreted glycoprotein, which belongs to the Neurexophilin family. The Neurexophilin family contain at least four genes and resembles a neuropeptide, suggesting a function as an endogenous ligand for alpha-neurexins. The mammalian brains contain four genes for neurexophilins the products of which share a common structure composed of five domains: an N-terminal signal peptide, a variable N-terminal domain, a highly conserved central domain that is N-glycosylated, a short linker region, and a conserved C-terminal domain that is cysteine-rich. Neurexophilin-1 constitutes a secreted cysteine-rich glycoprotein, forms a very tight complex with alpha neurexins, a group of proteins that promote adhesion between dendrites and axons. Neurexophilins 1 and 3 but not 4 (neurexophilin 2 is not expressed in rodents) bind to a single individual LNS domain, the second overall LNS domain in all three alpha-neurexins.
Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), also known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), is a 25 kDa protein belonging to the lipocalin superfamily. It was initially found in activated neutrophils, however, many other cells, like kidney tubular cells, may produce NGAL in response to various insults. This protein is released from injured tubular cells after various damaging stimuli, is already known by nephrologists as one of the most promising biomarkers of incoming Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Recent evidence also suggests its role as a biomarker in a variety of other renal and non-renal conditions. Moreover, recent studies seem to suggest a potential involvement of this factor also in the genesis and progression of chronic kidney diseases. NGAL is the first known mammalian protein which specifically binds organic molecules called siderophores, which are high-affinity iron chelators. NGAL, first known as an antibacterial factor of natural immunity, and an acute phase protein, is currently one of the most interesting and enigmatic proteins involved in the process of tumor development. acting as an intracellular iron carrier and protecting MMP9 from proteolytic degradation, NGAL has a clear pro-tumoral effect. In thyroid carcinomas, NGAL is strongly induced by NF-kB, an important factor involved both in tumor growth and in the link between chronic inflammation and neoplastic development. Thus, Lipocalin-2 (LCN2/NGAL) has been implicated in a variety of processes including cell differentiation, proliferation, survival and morphogenesis.
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is important for the development and maintenance of the sympathetic and sensory nervous systems. NGF protein was identified as a large complex consisting of three non-covalently linked subunits, α, β, and γ, among which, the β subunit, called β-NGF (beta-NGF), was demonstrated to exhibits the growth-stimulating activity of NGF protein. NGFB/beta-NGF gene is a member of the NGF-beta family and encodes a secreted protein that homodimerizes and is incorporated into a larger complex. NGF protein acts via at least two receptors on the surface of cells (TrkA and p75 receptors) to regulate neuronal survival, promote neurite outgrowth, and up-regulate certain neuronal functions such as mediation of pain and inflammation. Also, previous studies indicated that NGF may also have an important role in the regulation of the immune system.
Ninjurin-1, also known as NINJ1, is a member of the Ninjurin family of transmembrane (TM) proteins. It is expressed in CD19(+) CD10(+) B-cell progenitor cells and higher levels in B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Ninjurin-1 is expressed also in a number of other adult and embryonic tissues, predominantly in epithelial cells. Its expression is upregulated after axotomy in neurons and in Schwann cells surrounding the distal nerve segment. Upregulated expression of ninjurin-1 has been identified as a marker of minimal residual disease in B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It mediates homophilic adhesion, and promotes neurite extension of dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro. Ninjurin-1 has been found to show a high expression level in the liver tissue of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, and this seems to be associated with cases of cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis. It has been reported that NINJURIN increases p21 expression and induces cellular senescence in human hepatoma cells.
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