Human Granzyme B ELISA Kit ( EH0052)

UNIPROT #

P10144

PROTEIN NAME

Granzyme B

FUNCTION

Granzyme B is a member of the granzyme family of serine proteases found specifically in granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells. Granzyme B plays an essential role in granule-mediated apoptosis utilizing the substrates in this pathway, such as Caspase 3, Caspase 8 and Bid. Recent research indicates expanded Granzyme B functionality to include extracellular roles along with its classical pro-apoptotic function. It has been found that Granzyme B is an important mediator of skin injury, repair and inflammation through extracellular substrates including Laminin, VE-Cadherin, Fibronectin and the proteoglycans Aggrecan and Decorin. As one of the five Granzymes (A, B, H, K and M) identified in the human genome, Granzyme B (32kDa) is the most widely researched in terms of its biological function and its utility in health and disease . It is synthesized as a precursor (247 residues) with a signal peptide (residues 1-18), a pro-peptide (residues 19-20), and a mature chain (residues 21-247). Once inside granules, Granzyme B is fully processed into the mature chain and becomes an active protease when the pro-peptide, Gly-Glu is removed from the N-terminus by cleavage with Cathepsin C. The protease activity of Granzyme B is tightly controlled by Serpin B9/ Protease Inhibitor 9. The amino acid sequence of human Granzyme B is 71%, 69%, and 68% identical to its canine, rat, and mouse counterparts, respectively. Granzymes have been shown to modulate inflammation, and Granzyme B plasma levels have been found higher with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis when compared to healthy controls. This is in contrast to Granzyme A plasma levels which remain unchanged. Serum from patients with Crohn's disease have significantly higher Granzyme B levels than controls.