Extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of several macromolecules bound together in a complex network. This structure allows cells to adhere, migrate and interact. Hyaluronic acid, a glycosaminoglycan, is a major component of ECM. Hyaluronic acid-binding proteins such as hyaluronic acid ...

Gap junction channels are intercellular channels that allow passage of ions, such as K(+) and Na(+), and other small molecules between neighboring cells. These channels are formed from two multimeric subunits called hemichannels, or connexons, that reside in plasma membranes of two closely ...

Multicellular organisms are separated from external environment by a layer of epithelial cells whose integrity is maintained by intercellular junction complexes composed of tight junctions (TJ), adherens junctions, and desmosomes. Tight cell junctions serve as a physical barrier to prevent solutes ...

Semaphorins, Ephrins, SLITs ...

Androgen is the active metabolic product, 5alpha-Dihydrotestosterone, which is produced from the transformation of Testosterone catalyzed by the Steroid-5-alpha-reductase, alpha polypeptides 1 and 2 (S5AR1 and S5AR2) [1], [2]. ...

Deregulated neutrophilic inflammation and chronic infection lead to progressive destruction of the airways in cystic fibrosis (CF). In normal tissues, lipoxins are endogenous anti-inflammatory lipid mediators in regulation of neutrophilic inflammation [1]. In CF, production ...

The haemostatic system maintains blood in a fluid state under normal conditions and responds to vessel injury by the rapid formation of a clot consisting of platelets and Fibrin. The traditional view of the regulation of blood coagulation is that the initiation phase is triggered by an extrinsic ...

Androgen and Estrogen receptors (Androgen receptor and ESR1 (nuclear)) function as steroid-hormone activated transcription factors. Upon binding the hormone ligand, receptors dissociate from accessory proteins, translocate into the nucleus, dimerize, and then stimulate transcription ...

Sp1 transcription factor (SP1) is a transcription factor involved in gene expression in the early development of an organism. It belongs to the Sp/KLF family of transcription factors. The SP1 transcription factor contains a zinc finger protein motif, by which it binds directly to DNA ...

V-myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (c-Myc) is a multifunctional, nuclear phosphoprotein that plays a role in cell cycle progression, apoptosis and cellular transformation. c-Myc controls the transcription of a variety of different targets and regulates different processes, ...