GNLY
Encyclopedia
Granulysin, also known as GNLY, is a protein
which in humans is encoded by the GNLY gene
.
present in cytotoxic granules of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. Granulysin is a member of the saposin
-like protein (SAPLIP) family and is released from cytotoxic T cells upon antigen stimulation. Granulysin has antimicrobial
activity against M. tuberculosis and other organisms. Granulysin is alternatively spliced, resulting in the NKG5 and 519 transcripts.
Granulysin is a cytolytic and proinflammatory molecule first identified by a screen for genes expressed “late” (3-5 days) after activation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Granulysin is present in cytolytic granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells. Granulysin is made as a 15 kD molecule, and a portion of it is cleaved at both the amino and carboxy termini into a 9 kD form. The 9 kD form is released by receptor-mediated granule exocytosis while the 15 kD form is constitutively secreted. Recombinant 9 kD granulysin is broadly cytolytic against tumors and microbes, including gram positive and gram negative bacteria, fungi/yeast and parasites. 9kD granulysin is also a chemoattractant for T lymphocytes, monocytes, and other inflammatory cells and activates the expression of a number of cytokines, including RANTES, MCP-1, MCP-3, MIP-1α, IL-10, IL-1, IL-6 and IFNα. Mice do not have a granulysin homolog, but transgenic mice expressing human granulysin have been engineered. Granulysin has been implicated in a myriad of diseases including infection
, cancer
, transplantation, autoimmunity
, skin and reproductive maladies.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
which in humans is encoded by the GNLY gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Function
Granulysin is a proteinProtein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
present in cytotoxic granules of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. Granulysin is a member of the saposin
Saposin
Saposins are small lysosomal proteins that serve as activators of various lysosomal lipid-degrading enzymes. They probably act by isolating the lipid substrate from the membrane surroundings, thus making it more accessible to the soluble degradative enzymes...
-like protein (SAPLIP) family and is released from cytotoxic T cells upon antigen stimulation. Granulysin has antimicrobial
Antimicrobial
An anti-microbial is a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or protozoans. Antimicrobial drugs either kill microbes or prevent the growth of microbes...
activity against M. tuberculosis and other organisms. Granulysin is alternatively spliced, resulting in the NKG5 and 519 transcripts.
Granulysin is a cytolytic and proinflammatory molecule first identified by a screen for genes expressed “late” (3-5 days) after activation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Granulysin is present in cytolytic granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells. Granulysin is made as a 15 kD molecule, and a portion of it is cleaved at both the amino and carboxy termini into a 9 kD form. The 9 kD form is released by receptor-mediated granule exocytosis while the 15 kD form is constitutively secreted. Recombinant 9 kD granulysin is broadly cytolytic against tumors and microbes, including gram positive and gram negative bacteria, fungi/yeast and parasites. 9kD granulysin is also a chemoattractant for T lymphocytes, monocytes, and other inflammatory cells and activates the expression of a number of cytokines, including RANTES, MCP-1, MCP-3, MIP-1α, IL-10, IL-1, IL-6 and IFNα. Mice do not have a granulysin homolog, but transgenic mice expressing human granulysin have been engineered. Granulysin has been implicated in a myriad of diseases including infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
, cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, transplantation, autoimmunity
Autoimmunity
Autoimmunity is the failure of an organism to recognize its own constituent parts as self, which allows an immune response against its own cells and tissues. Any disease that results from such an aberrant immune response is termed an autoimmune disease...
, skin and reproductive maladies.