Granzyme
Granzyme
Granzyme (/ɡrænˈzaɪm/) is a type of serine protease found in the granules of cytotoxic lymphocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The term "granzyme" is derived from the words "granule" and "enzyme", indicating its enzymatic nature and its location within cellular granules.
Function
Granzymes play a crucial role in the immune response, particularly in the elimination of virus-infected and tumor cells. They are released by NK cells and CTLs upon recognition of a target cell, and they induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in the target cell.
Types
There are several types of granzymes, including Granzyme A, Granzyme B, and Granzyme H. Each type has a unique set of substrates and functions within the immune response.
Granzyme A
Granzyme A is a tryptase that cleaves after basic residues. It induces cell death through a caspase-independent pathway, leading to single-stranded DNA damage.
Granzyme B
Granzyme B is a chymase that cleaves after aspartic acid residues. It induces cell death through a caspase-dependent pathway, leading to DNA fragmentation and apoptosis.
Granzyme H
Granzyme H is a chymase that cleaves after hydrophobic residues. Its function is less well understood, but it is thought to play a role in the immune response to viral infections.
Clinical Significance
Alterations in granzyme function or expression can have significant clinical implications. For example, elevated levels of granzyme B have been associated with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Additionally, granzymes are being explored as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of cancer and viral infections.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Granzyme
- Wikipedia's article - Granzyme
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