Granulysin blocks replication of varicella-zoster virus and triggers apoptosis of infected cells.
Granulysin, a lytic protein present in cytolytic granules of human natural killer and cytotoxic T cells, entered cells infected with varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Exposure to granulysin accelerated death of infected cells as assessed by apoptosis markers. The functional domain of granulysin that mediated its antiviral effects was amino acid 23-51; this domain also mediates the additional antitumor cell effects of granulysin. Because granulysin is a product of natural killer cells and T lymphocytes, it is possible that its antiviral activity may act as a mediator of innate and adaptive immune mechanisms.
Hata
A
A
Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305-5208, USA.
Zerboni
L
L
Sommer
M
M
Kaspar
A A
AA
Clayberger
C
C
Krensky
A M
AM
Arvin
A M
AM
D000590:Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020169:Caspases / Q000502:physiology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
D000590:Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; C075005:GNLY protein, human; C096713:benzyloxycarbonylvalyl-alanyl-aspartyl fluoromethyl ketone; D020169:Caspases