Table 4.

Bioactivities of the ancestral proteins

Ancestral protein	Activity
Acetylcholinesterase	Rapidly hydrolyses choline released into the synapse, resulting in less neurotransmitter available for neuromuscular control.
ADAM	ADAM 7 - noncatalytic metalloproteinase-like proteins; ADAM 28 - enzymatic cleavage of the extracellular matrix.
BNP	Lowering of blood pressure mediated by the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle subsequent by binding the GC-A receptor and stimulating the intracellular production of cGMP.
C3	Central to both classical and alternative complement pathways.
CNP-BPP	BPP - indirectly cause hyperpermeability of blood vessels and hypotension by inhibiting the activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme and enhances the action of bradykinin by inhibiting the kinases that inactivate; CNP - Lowers blood pressure mediated by the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle by binding the GC-B receptor and stimulating the intracellular production of cGMP.
CRISP	Specific actions largely uncharacterized.
Crotasin	Unknown; related β defensin peptides have an antimicrobial activity.
E/M/N Cystatin	Inhibit cysteine proteases such as the cathepsins B, L, and S.
Endothelin-3	Potently vasoconstrictive, modulating the contraction of cardiac and smooth muscle.
Factor V	Blood cofactors that participate with factor Xa to activate prothrombin to thrombin.
Factor X	Vitamin K-dependent glycoproteins that convert prothrombin to thrombin in the presence of factor Va, calcium, and phospholipid during blood clotting.
Kallikrein (glandular/tissue)	Release kinins from circulatory kininogen.
Kunitz	Inhibit a diverse array of serine proteinases.
L-amino oxidase	Induce apoptosis in cells by two distinct mechanisms; one rapid and mediated by H2O2, the other delayed and mediated by deprivation of L-lysine.
Lectin	Hemagglutination activity.
LYNX/SLUR	Bind to the α 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
β Nerve growth factors	Stimulate division and differentiation of sympathetic and embryonic sensory neurons.
PLA2 (type IB)	Release arachidonic acid from the sn-2 position of the plasma membrane phospholipids.
PLA2 (type IIA)	Release arachidonic acid from the sn-2 position of the plasma membrane phospholipids, involved in inflammatory processes and diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.
Prokineticin 2	Potent constriction of intestinal smooth muscle and induction hyperalgesia.
SPRY	Largely uncharacterized.
VEGF	Increase the permeability of the vascular bed.
Whey acidic peptide	Inhibit leukoproteinases.