Skip to content
GeneQ18035500· pop 9· linked from 20 articles

Also known as 519, D2S69E, LAG-2, LAG2, NKG5, TLA519, granulysin

Granulysin (GNLY) is a protein expressed in most mammals which functions as an antimicrobial peptide released by killer lymphocytes in cytotoxic granules. It is a pore-forming peptide, as it can puncture a microbial cell wall, allowing for other death-inducing enzymes to enter the microbe and cause microptosis. GNLY is inhibited by cholesterol, and is most effective in helping to kill cholesterol-deficient microbes.

Gene data

GNLY
Name
granulysin
Type
protein-coding
Aliases
D2S69E, LAG-2, LAG2, NKG5, TLA519

The product of this gene is a member of the saposin-like protein (SAPLIP) family and is located in the cytotoxic granules of T cells, which are released upon antigen stimulation. This protein is present in cytotoxic granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, and it has antimicrobial activity against M. tuberculosis and other organisms. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].

via MyGene.info

Wikidata facts

Image
Protein GNLY PDB 1l9l.png
Show 5 more facts
HomoloGene ID
136805
genomic end
85698852
genomic start
85912298
cytogenetic location
2p11.2
Sources (5)

via Wikidata · CC0

~8 min read

Article

11 sections
Contents
  • Structure
  • Gene expression
  • Function
  • 15 kDa GNLY
  • 9 kDa GNLY
  • Evolution
  • Clinical significance
  • Toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • Cancer
  • References
  • Further reading

Granulysin (GNLY) is a protein expressed in most mammals which functions as an antimicrobial peptide released by killer lymphocytes in cytotoxic granules. It is a pore-forming peptide, as it can puncture a microbial cell wall, allowing for other death-inducing enzymes to enter the microbe and cause microptosis. GNLY is inhibited by cholesterol, and is most effective in helping to kill cholesterol-deficient microbes.

It is part of the saposin-like protein family and contains saposin protein domain, and its gene is found on the 2nd chromosome in humans. It is distinguished by its 5 α-helical structure. Its expression is restricted to cytotoxic immune cells such as cytotoxic T cells, NK cells, NKT cells and γδ T cells. Orthologs of this protein are found in most mammal species, such as in cows and pigs, however not in rodents.

Connections

Categories