Background |
Granzyme B, also known as CTLA-1, cathepsin G-like 1, or cytotoxic T-lymphocyte proteinase 2, is a member of the granzyme subfamily of the peptidase S1 family. Human Granzyme B gene encodes a 247 amino acid (aa) precursor protein composed of a signal peptide, a pro peptide, and a mature chain. Granzyme B is produced primarily in the granules of cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs), natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T cells. Granzyme B plays an essential role in granule mediated apoptosis. It cleaves caspase-3, -7, -9 and 10 to produce active enzymes mediating apoptosis. Granzyme B is also produced by a variety of noncytotoxic cells, such as basophils, mast cells and smooth muscle cells. It may be involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and in inducing inflammation by stimulating cytokine release. Elevated levels of granzyme B has been implicated in a number of autoimmune diseases, skin diseases, and type 1 diabetes. |