Members of the transforming growth factor b superfamily bind to a pair of transmembrane proteins, known as receptor types I and II, which contain serine/threonine kinases and associate to form a signaling complex (1). Activin has been shown to bind a heteromeric noncovalent complex, which consists of a type I receptor, ACTR-IA (also designated ACVRI and ALK-2) or ACTR-IB (also designated ALK-4 and SKR2), and a type II receptor, ACTR-IIA (also designated ACVR2A) or ACTR-IIB (also designated

The Src family of protein tyrosine kinases (Src-PTKs) is important in the regulation of growth and differentiation of eukaryotic cells. The activity of Src-PTKs in cells of different types is negatively controlled by Csk. Csk binding protein (Cbp), also designated phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingo-lipid-enriched microdomains (GEMs) or PAG, is a ubiquitously expressed transmembrane phosphoprotein that binds specifically to the SH2 domain of Csk. Cbp is involved in the membrane localiz

S adenosylmethionine synthetase catalyzes the formation of S adenosylmethionine from methionine and ATP. In mammalian tissues, there are three distinct forms of AdoMet synthases designated as alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha and beta are expressed only in adult liver, while gamma is widely distributed in extrahepatic tissues.

Glutamate receptors mediate most excitatory neurotransmission in the brain and play an important role in neural plasticity, neural development and neurodegeneration. Ionotropic glutamate receptors are categorized into NMDA receptors and kainate/AMPA receptors, both of which contain glutamate-gated, cation-specific ion channels. Kainate/AMPA receptors are co-localized with NMDA receptors in many synapses and consist of seven structurally related subunits designated GluR-1 to -7. The kainate/

This gene encodes one of the two alpha chains of type XI collagen, a minor fibrillar collagen. Type XI collagen is a heterotrimer but the third alpha chain is a post-translationally modified alpha 1 type II chain. Mutations in this gene are associated with type II Stickler syndrome and with Marshall syndrome. A single-nucleotide polymorphism in this gene is also associated with susceptibility to lumbar disc herniation. Multiple transcript variants have been identified for this gene. [provided

Members of the trefoil family are characterized by having at least one copy of the trefoil motif, a 40-amino acid domain that contains three conserved disulfides. They are stable secretory proteins expressed in gastrointestinal mucosa. Their functions are not defined, but they may protect the mucosa from insults, stabilize the mucus layer and affect healing of the epithelium. The encoded protein inhibits gastric acid secretion. This gene and two other related trefoil family member genes are f