Alpha actinins belong to the spectrin gene superfamily which represents a diverse group of cytoskeletal proteins, including the alpha and beta spectrins and dystrophins. Alpha actinin is an actin-binding protein with multiple roles in different cell types. In nonmuscle cells, the cytoskeletal isoform is found along microfilament bundles and adherens-type junctions, where it is involved in binding actin to the membrane. In contrast, skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle isoforms are localized

This gene encodes a calmodulin- and actin-binding protein that plays an essential role in the regulation of smooth muscle and nonmuscle contraction. The conserved domain of this protein possesses the binding activities to Ca(2+)-calmodulin, actin, tropomyosin, myosin, and phospholipids. This protein is a potent inhibitor of the actin-tropomyosin activated myosin MgATPase, and serves as a mediating factor for Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of smooth muscle contraction. Alternative splicing of t

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that is a member of the Firmicutes, and is frequently found in the human respiratory tract and on the skin. Although S. aureus is not always pathogenic, it is a common cause of skin infections (e.g. boils), respiratory disease (e.g. sinusitis), and food poisoning. Disease-associated strains often promote infections by producing potent protein toxins, and expressing cell-surface proteins that bind and inactivate antibodies. S. aureus is a facultative ana

Glutamine Synthetase catalyzes the conversion of ammonia and glutamate to glutamine. It is found in astrocytes as an octamer of identical 42 kDa subunits. The function of Glutamine Synthetase is the detoxification of brain ammonia. It also has an important role in the metabolic regulation of neurotransmitter glutamate. Because of the multiple functions and importance of Glutamine Synthetase in cellular metabolism, both catalytic activities and synthesis are highly regulated. The activity of

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the CXC chemokine family. This chemokine is one of the major mediators of the inflammatory response. This chemokine is secreted by several cell types. It functions as a chemoattractant, and is also a potent angiogenic factor. This gene is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis, a common respiratory tract disease caused by viral infection. This gene and other ten members of the CXC chemokine gene family form a chemokine gene

The Wnt genes belong to a family of protooncogenes with at least 13 known members that are expressed in species ranging from Drosophila to man. The name Wnt denotes the relationship of this family to the Drosophila segment polarity gene ”wingless” and to its vertebrate ortholog, Int-1, a mouse proto-oncogene. Transcription of Wnt family genes appears to be developmentally regulated in a precise temporal and spatial manner. The Wnt genes encode cysteine-rich putative glycoproteins which have