Publisher's Synopsis
The discovery of this family of proteins three decades ago launched a broad range of research effort that now reaches across many potential applications in human reproductive biology, inflammatory diseases, endocrinology, and in oncology. These proceedings papers extend the new function research possibilities inherent in the structure of this steroid-inducible, multifunctional secreted protein, and in the UG-bioactive-derived peptides. An opening overview of the UG family focuses on mammaglobin and its implications with human breast cancer; the sequence/structure sections review applications of antiflammin responses from its peptide. Other sections present new research on regulation of uteroglobin genes by cytokines and hormones; and clinical applications for renal diseases, in targeting gene therapy in pulmonary disease. Together, these developments raise the possibility of cytokine/chemokine-like functions that play important roles in major public health problems. A consensus of nomenclature for Uteroglobin/Clara Cell 10kDa family of proteins is also advanced as a step to coordinating new areas of research for these promising proteins and receptors.
