The lymphatic vasculature forms a second circulatory system that drains extracellular fluid from the tissues and provides an exclusive environment in which immune cells can encounter and respond to foreign antigen. Recently a number of interesting molecules have been identified that may be exploited as markers for lymphatic endothelium, including the hyaluronan receptor LYVE1, PALE, VEGFR3, podoplanin. LYVE1 has been identified as a major receptor for HA (extracellular matrix glycosaminoglyca
This gene is highly similar to the v-src gene of Rous sarcoma virus. This proto-oncogene may play a role in the regulation of embryonic development and cell growth. The protein encoded by this gene is a tyrosine-protein kinase whose activity can be inhibited by phosphorylation by c-SRC kinase. Mutations in this gene could be involved in the malignant progression of colon cancer. Two transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]
This gene encodes a member of the annexin family. Members of this calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding protein family play a role in the regulation of cellular growth and in signal transduction pathways. This protein functions as an autocrine factor which heightens osteoclast formation and bone resorption. This gene has three pseudogenes located on chromosomes 4, 9 and 10, respectively. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this
ID proteins contain a helix-loop-helix (HLH) motif and regulate tissue-specific transcription within several cell lineages. They do not bind DNA directly, but inhibit lineage commitment by binding basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors through their HLH motif. ID proteins contribute to cell growth, senescence, differentiation and angiogenesis. Id1 mRNA is highly expressed in heart, lung and kidney and has lower expression in brain and liver. Two transcript variants encoding di
Bone marrow stromal cells act as regulators for B-cell growth and development through their surface molecules and cytokines. Bone marrow stromal antigen-2 (BST-2), also designated CD317 antigen, is a single- pass type II membrane protein. BST-2, which is expressed mainly on synovial cell lines and bone marrow stromal cell lines, is primarily expressed in liver, heart, placenta and lung tissues. BST-2 is thought to be involved in pre-B cell growth. It has been implicated in B cell activation
The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the keratin gene family. The type II cytokeratins consist of basic or neutral proteins which are arranged in pairs of heterotypic keratin chains coexpressed during differentiation of simple and stratified epithelial tissues. This type II cytokeratin is specifically expressed in the simple epithelia lining the cavities of the internal organs and in the gland ducts and blood vessels. The genes encoding the type II cytokeratins are clustered in a