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A family of globular proteins found in many plant and animal tissues that tend to bind a wide variety of ligands. Albumin is the main protein in blood plasma. Low serum levels occur in conditions associated with malnutrition, inflammation and liver and kidney diseases.
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A mineralocorticoid hormone produced by aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone binds to mineralocorticoid receptors (MR; NR3C2) and MR-aldosterone complexes regulate the expression of genes involved in the retention of sodium, the secretion of potassium, and water reabsorption, all of which may result increased blood pressure.
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Antithrombin-III (464 aa, ~53 kDa) is encoded by the human SERPINC1 gene. This protein is involved in the negative regulation of serine proteinase activity during blood coagulation.
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An essential amino acid in juvenile humans, Arginine is a complex amino acid, often found at active site in proteins and enzymes due to its amine-containing side chain. Arginine may prevent or treat heart and circulatory diseases, combat fatigue, and stimulate the immune system. It also boosts production of nitric oxide, relaxing blood vessels, and treating angina and other cardiovascular problems. Arginine is also an important intermediate in the urea cycle and in detoxification of nitrogenous wastes. (NCI04)
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Beta-2-microglobulin protein (119 aa, ~14 kDa) is encoded by the human B2M gene. This protein plays a role in immune responses and is a key component of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules. The protein is localized to the surface of cells and is utilized as a prognostic marker in persons with cancers that involve white blood cells. The polypeptide is also used as a marker in kidney damage diagnosis and in the detection of viral infection.
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A dark orange, yellow pigment that is the product of the breakdown of iron in the blood; it is conjugated in the liver and excreted in the bile.
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This gene plays a role in DNA unwinding and recombination-mediated telomere lengthening.
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C peptide (31 aa, ~3 kDa) is encoded by the human INS gene. This protein is involved in both signal transduction and the modulation of blood flow.
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CA 19-9 is a fucosylated glycosphingolipid carbohydrate antigen that is soluble and is adsorbed to erythrocytes and to many adenocarcinomas of the digestive tract, especially pancreatic tumors. By structure CA 19-9 is related to the Lewis blood group antigens.
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Calcitonin (32 aa, ~3 kDa) is encoded by the human CALCA gene. This protein is involved in the modulation of blood calcium and phosphate concentrations through promoting incorporation of these ions into bone.
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Proteins released into blood when heart muscle is injured; the central laboratory marker in suspected heart attack.
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An animal sterol found in the body tissues (and blood plasma) of vertebrates. It can be found in large concentrations within the liver, spinal cord, and brain. Cholesterol is an important component of the membranes of cells, providing stability. It is the major precursor for the synthesis of vitamin D, of the various steroid hormones, including cortisol, cortisone, and aldosterone in the adrenal glands, and of the sex hormones progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone. Cholesterol also has an important role for the brain synapses as well as in the immune system. In conditions featuring elevated low density lipoproteins (LDL), cholesterol often forms plaque deposits in the walls of arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, which is a major contributor to coronary heart disease and other forms of cardiovascular disease.