title: Proteases and lymphocyte cytotoxic killing mechanisms.
abstract: A subfamily of serine proteases is uniquely expressed by cytotoxic natural killer lymphocytes and T cells. Protease cleavage of different natural substrates is now implicated in the cytotoxic mechanisms of target cell membrane pore formation, DNA fragmentation and cytostasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno 89557-0046.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hudig
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Ewoldt
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Woodard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D051381:Rats; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D054353:Perforin; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases