Granulysin: a novel antimicrobial.
Granulysin is a novel lytic molecule produced by human cytolytic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells. It is active against a broad range of microbes, including Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, parasites and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is functionally related to other antibacterial peptides, like defensins and magainins, but is structurally distinct. It has structural similarity to porcine NK-lysin and to amoebapores made by Entamoeba histolytica. Synthetic peptides derived from granulysin have differential activity against eukaryotic cells and bacteria. Selective bactericidal peptides may have therapeutic roles as novel antibiotics.
Kumar
J
J
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Okada
S
S
Clayberger
C
C
Krensky
A M
AM
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C075005:GNLY protein, human