Granulysin

Granulysin

Granulysin is a protein that is expressed in the granules of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. It plays a crucial role in the immune response by exhibiting antimicrobial and tumoricidal activities.

Structure

Granulysin is a member of the saposin-like protein family. It is encoded by the GNLY gene in humans. The protein is composed of 74 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 9 kDa.

Function

Granulysin is involved in the immune system's defense mechanisms. It has the ability to kill a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Additionally, granulysin can induce apoptosis in tumor cells, contributing to its role in cancer immunotherapy.

Antimicrobial Activity

Granulysin disrupts the integrity of microbial membranes, leading to cell lysis and death. It is effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as certain fungi and parasites.

Tumoricidal Activity

Granulysin can induce apoptosis in tumor cells by activating caspases and disrupting mitochondrial membranes. This makes it a potential therapeutic agent in cancer treatment.

Clinical Significance

Granulysin levels can be indicative of immune system activity. Elevated levels are often observed in conditions involving heightened immune responses, such as infections and certain autoimmune diseases.

Research and Therapeutic Potential

Research is ongoing to explore the potential of granulysin as a therapeutic agent in treating infections and cancer. Its ability to target and kill a wide range of pathogens and tumor cells makes it a promising candidate for drug development.

See Also

• Cytotoxic T cell
• Natural killer cell
• Apoptosis
• Immune system

External Links

• [Granulysin at Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q149497)