Granzyme
Granzyme is a type of serine protease found in the granules of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. They play a crucial role in the immune response, specifically in the elimination of virus-infected and tumor cells.
Function[edit | edit source]
Granzymes are released by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells upon contact with a target cell. They enter the target cell and induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death. This is a key mechanism by which the immune system eliminates cells that are infected with viruses or have become cancerous.
Types[edit | edit source]
There are several types of granzymes, including Granzyme A, Granzyme B, and Granzyme K. Each has a slightly different function and target specificity.
Granzyme A[edit | edit source]
Granzyme A is a tryptase that induces target cell death by activating a set of intracellular caspases. It is also involved in the regulation of inflammation and immune responses.
Granzyme B[edit | edit source]
Granzyme B is a chymase that induces target cell death by cleaving key proteins in the cell, leading to apoptosis. It is the most potent of the granzymes and is often used as a marker for cytotoxic T cell and natural killer cell activity.
Granzyme K[edit | edit source]
Granzyme K is a tryptase that induces target cell death by cleaving key proteins in the cell, leading to apoptosis. It is also involved in the regulation of inflammation and immune responses.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Granzymes have been implicated in a number of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, and viral infections. They are also being explored as potential therapeutic targets in these conditions.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD