Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) was previously known as Factor VIII related antigen. VWF is synthesized exclusively by endothelial cells and megakaryocytes, and stored in the intracellular granules or constitutively secreted into plasma. This glycoprotein functions as both an antihemophilic factor carrier and a platelet vessel wall mediator in the blood coagulation system. Important in the maintenance of homeostasis, it participates in platelet vessel wall interactions by forming a noncovalent c

This gene encodes a member of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily. Expression of this cell surface protein is restricted to B cell lymphocytes. This protein is a reliable marker for pre-B cells but its expression diminishes during terminal B cell differentiation in antibody secreting plasma cells. The protein has two N-terminal extracellular Ig-like domains separated by a non-Ig-like domain, a hydrophobic transmembrane domain, and a large C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. This protein forms a com

The protein encoded by this gene is part of a complex of proteins that constitute adherens junctions (AJs). AJs are necessary for the creation and maintenance of epithelial cell layers by regulating cell growth and adhesion between cells. The encoded protein also anchors the actin cytoskeleton and may be responsible for transmitting the contact inhibition signal that causes cells to stop dividing once the epithelial sheet is complete. Finally, this protein binds to the product of the APC gen

This gene encodes an integral membrane protein which is located at tight junctions. This protein may be involved in the formation and maintenance of the tight junction. The possibility of several alternatively spliced products has been suggested but the full nature of these products has not been described. [provided by RefSeq].

The frizzled gene, originally identified in Drosophila melanogaster, is involved in the development of tissue polarity. The mammalian homolog of frizzled, as well as several secreted mammalian frizzled-related proteins (FRPs), have been described. The frizzled proteins contain seven transmembrane domains, a cysteine-rich domain in the extracellular region and a carboxy-terminal Ser/Thr-xxx-Val motif. They function as receptors for Wnt and are generally coupled to G proteins. The cysteine-rich

RALA, resorcylic acid lactone alpha, is a low molecular weight GTP binding protein belonging to the RAS family of onco proteins. RALA has a 50% amino acid homology with RAS and an 85% homology with RALB. GTP binding proteins mediate the transmembrane signaling initiated by the occupancy of certain cell surface receptors.