Recombinant Human Granulysin Protein, CF

Granulysin (formerly NKG5 or Lymphokine LAG-2) is a member of the saposin-like protein (SAPLIP) family of membrane disrupting proteins (1). Granulysin is expressed in granules of natural killer and activated cytotoxic T cells. It exhibits cytolytic activity against intracellular or extracellular microbes and also tumors, either alone or in synergy with perforin (2). Human granulysin has structural similarity and 30 - 40% aa identity to granulysins and NK-lysins of other mammals such as bovine, porcine and canine; similar peptides in rodents have not been identified (1). The 15 kDa unglycosylated protein contains five helical domains; helix 2 and 3 contain 9 arginines and one cysteine critical for activity. Peptides of either helix 2 or 3 will lyse bacteria, while helix 3 is needed to lyse tumor targets (3, 4). One isoform designated 519 uses a different start codon, has no signal peptide sequence and is poorly expressed (5). A post-translationally processed 9 kDa form is present in acidified granules and is less lytic than the 15 kDa form at granule pH (6). IL-15 is necessary and sufficient for granulysin upregulation in CD8 T cells (2). Nanomolar granulysin promotes chemotaxis and increases production of chemokines by monocytic cells, while micromolar local concentrations are needed for lysis (7). Experimental evidence supports the following mechanism for activity against intracellular pathogens (8). First, granulysin forms clusters in lipid rafts due to interaction of positive charges in helices 2-3 with acidic sphingolipids. After endocytosis, early endosomes fuse with phagosomes, probably regulated by small GTPase rab5. Granulysin binds microbial membranes through charge interactions and disrupts them, probably via scissoring actions of granulysin molecules (9, 10).