Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.21.79 (granzyme B)
 3,301 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We have cloned the human perforin (P1) gene and sequenced 6.2-kb genomic DNA, containing 1.4-kb 5'-flanking region, the 5' untranslated region, the complete coding region and the beginning of the 3' untranslated region. The P1 gene including at least 95-bp 3' untranslated region is organized in only three exons: the first exon (97 bp) contains all but four nucleotides of the 5' untranslated region and was determined by primer extension and S1 nuclease mapping. This exon is separated by 1.7 kb from the second exon containing the remaining (4 bp) 5' untranslated region, the leader peptide and the N-terminal region of P1 up to--but not including--the C9 homologous region. The third exon is separated by a 1.2-kb intron and contains the remainder of the molecule, including at least 90 bp of the 3' untranslated region. This simple gene organization differs from that of the more complicated C9 gene. Because of the unusual intron in the 5' untranslated sequence the transcription initiation (cap) site is located almost 1.8 kb upstream of the ATG start signal. The more immediate 5' flanking sequence contains a CCAAT and GC box but lacks other known promoter elements. Instead, we find three different sequence repeats. One of them, a hexanucleotide sequence with the consensus GCCCTG of unknown significance occurs 19 times within a stretch of 240 bp. Further upstream we localized sequences homologous to the following enhancer and promoter elements: c-fos proto-oncogene, IFN-gamma and phorbol ester response elements, five cAMP response elements, and three motifs corresponding to general inducer elements. In addition, a sequence conserved in the 5'-flanking region of several T cell genes was identified. The 5' flanking regions of P1. CCP1 (granzyme B) and CCP2 (granzyme C) (kindly provided by Dr. Bleackley) contain as only significant homology cAMP response elements. These findings are consistent with a tight control and regulation of P1, which appears to be distinct from that of granzymes.
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PMID:Structure of the human perforin gene. A simple gene organization with interesting potential regulatory sequences. 248 Mar 91

The human CGL-1/cytotoxic serine protease B gene (CSP-B; also known as granzyme B) is transcriptionally activated during cytotoxic T-lymphocyte maturation. Activation can be mimicked in the PEER T-cell leukemia cell line by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and N6-2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (bt2cAMP). In this report, we show that a consensus AP-1 element and a consensus cAMP response element (CRE) located 5' to the CSP-B transcriptional start site are both required for transcriptional activation of the CPS-B promoter in TPA + bt2cAMP-stimulated PEER cells. A 94-bp fragment containing both elements activates a heterologous promoter in an orientation-independent fashion. Several single nucleotide substitutions in the AP-1 site abolish activity of the 94-bp fragment. Several point mutations in the consensus CRE substantially reduce promoter activity, but one CRE mutation increases activity fourfold. Replacement of the CRE with a second copy of the AP-1 site results in a level of transcriptional activity comparable with that of the wild-type sequence, but replacement of the AP-1 site with a CRE abolishes activity. Neither the AP-1 site nor the CRE can be effectively replaced with an SP-1 site. Deletions between the AP-1 site and the CRE retain full activity only if helical spacing is preserved, suggesting that synergism between these two elements is either the result of cooperative binding of factors to the DNA or of cooperative binding of DNA-bound factors to another protein.
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PMID:Consensus AP-1 and CRE motifs upstream from the human cytotoxic serine protease B (CSP-B/CGL-1) gene synergize to activate transcription. 821 27

Ovarian cell death is an essential process for the homeostasis of ovarian function in human and other mammalian species. It ensures the selection of the dominant follicle and the demise of excess follicles. In turn, this process minimizes the possibility of multiple embryo development during pregnancy and assures the development of few, but healthy embryos. Degeneration of the old corpora lutea in each estrus/menstrual cycle by programmed cell death is essential for maintaining the normal cyclicity of ovarian steroidogenesis. Although there are multiple pathways that can determine cell death or survival, crosstalk among endocrine, paracrine and autocrine factors, as well as among protooncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, survival genes and death genes, play an important role in determining the fate of ovarian somatic and germ cells. The establishment of immortalized rat and human steroidogenic granulosa cell lines and the investigation of pure populations of primary granulosa cells allows for systematic studies of the mechanisms that control steroidogenesis and apoptosis of granulosa cells. We have discovered that during initial stages of granulosa cell apoptosis progesterone production does not decrease. In contrast, we found that it is elevated for up to 24hr following the onset of the apoptotic stimuli exerted by starvation, cAMP, p53 or tumor necrosis factor alpha stimulation, before total cell collapse. These observations raise the possibility for an alternative unique apoptotic pathway, one that does not involve mitochondrial cytochrome C release associated with the destruction of mitochondrial structure and steroidogenic function. Using mRNA from apoptotic cells and Affymetrix DNA microarray we discovered that Granzyme B, a protease that normally resides in T cytotoxic lymphocytes and natural killer cells of the immune system is expressed and activated in granulosa cells, thereby allowing the apoptotic signals to bypass mitochondrial signals for apoptosis, which can preserve their steroidogenic activity until complete cell destruction. This unique apoptotic pathway assures the cyclicity of estradiol and progesterone release in the estrus/menstrus cycle even during the initial stage of apoptosis.
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PMID:Alternative pathways of ovarian apoptosis: death for life. 1455 9

Glucocorticoids (GC) such as hydrocortisone and dexamethasone (DEX) protect steroidogenic granulosa cells against apoptosis induced by serum deprivation, cAMP, tumor necrosis factor alpha stimulation or p53 activation. The protective effects were evident both in primary rat and human granulosa cells, which comprise the main population of the ovarian follicular cells, as well as in steroidogenic granulosa cell lines established in our laboratory. A correlation between the expression of Bcl-2 protein and protection against apoptosis induced by DEX was found in granulosa cell lines expressing various levels of Bcl-2. Incubation with DEX leads to development of a rigid network of actin cytoskeleton and increased incidence of adherence and gap junctions. Higher content of connexin 43 and total cadherins were found in GC stimulated cells compared to non-stimulated, suggesting that cell contact and intracellular communication contribute to the DEX induced resistance to apoptotic signals. Activation by DEX of MAPK and Akt/PKB but not p38 supported the view of a pleiotropic action of GC against apoptotic signals. Granzyme B, a protease characteristic for induction of apoptosis by T-cytotoxic lymphocytes and natural killer cells, was expressed and augmented during stimulation of apoptosis in the granulosa cells, and its synthesis and activation was blocked by DEX. It is concluded that GC exerted their anti-apoptotic effects in granulosa cells by multiple characteristic pathways. Moreover, the presence of endogenous granzyme B in granulosa cells suggest a novel intrinsic alternative apoptotic pathway that was earlier reported to be mediated uniquely by T-cytotoxic lymphocytes and natural killer cells. The anti-apoptotic effect of GC may play an important role in the healing process of the ovulatory follicle subsequent to follicular rupture and its rapid conversion to an active corpus luteum.
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PMID:Pleiotropic anti-apoptotic activity of glucocorticoids in ovarian follicular cells. 1455 13

Ovarian cell death is an essential process for the homeostasis of ovarian function in human and other mammalian species. It ensures the selection of the dominant follicle and the demise of excess follicles. In turn, this process minimizes the possibility of multiple embryo development during pregnancy and assures the development of few, but healthy embryos. Degeneration of the old corpora lutea in each estrous/menstrual cycle by programmed cell death is essential to maintain the normal cyclicity of ovarian steroidogenesis. Although there are multiple pathways that can determine cell death or survival, crosstalk among endocrine, paracrine and autocrine factors, as well as among protooncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, survival genes and death genes, plays an important role in determining the fate of ovarian somatic and germ cells. The establishment of immortalized rat and human steroidogenic granulosa cell lines and the investigation of pure populations of primary granulosa cells allows systematic studies of the mechanisms that control steroidogenesis and apoptosis in granulosa cells. We have discovered that during initial stages of granulosa cell apoptosis progesterone production does not decrease. In contrast, we found that it is elevated up to 24h following the onset of the apoptotic stimuli exerted by starvation, cAMP, p53 or TNF-alpha stimulation, before total cell collapse. These observations raise the possibility for an alternative unique apoptotic pathway, one not involving mitochondrial Cyt C release associated with the destruction of mitochondrial structure and steroidogenic function. Using mRNA from apoptotic cells and affymetrix DNA microarray technology we discovered that granzyme B, a protease that normally resides in T cytotoxic lymphocytes and natural killer cells of the immune system is expressed and activated in granulosa cells. Thus, the apoptotic signals could bypass mitochondrial signals for apoptosis, which can preserve their steroidogenic activity until complete cell destruction. This unique apoptotic pathway assures cyclicity of estradiol and progesterone release in the estrous/menstruous cycle even during the initial stages of apoptosis.
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PMID:Steroidogenesis and apoptosis in the mammalian ovary. 1466 78

Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of lymphocytes that are capable of killing tumor cells, virally infected cells and antibody coated cells. Tributyltin (TBT) is a toxic chemical used for various industrial purposes such as: slime control in paper mills, disinfection of circulating industrial cooling waters, anti-fouling agents, and the preservation of wood. TBT can be found in edible items such as fish. A previous study showed that a 1 h exposure of NK cells to TBT caused persistent inhibition of NK-cell ability to destroy tumor cells in the 24 and 48 h periods following exposure and that this loss of function could be significantly prevented and/or reversed if the NK-stimulatory interleukins (IL) 2 or 12 were present during the 24 and 48 h periods. We had also shown that TBT exposure was able to significantly decrease the protein and mRNA levels of the cytotoxic proteins, granzyme B and perforin, and the phosphorylation of cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB) under these conditions. In this study we address the effects of IL-2 and IL-12 on the TBT-induced decreases in NK-cell levels of the cytotoxic proteins, their mRNAs, and CREB phosphorylation. IL-2 appeared to prevent/reverse TBT-induced declines in perforin protein levels and the mRNA for perforin seen in the 24 h period following a 1 h exposure to 300 nM TBT. However, the TBT-induced decreases in the levels of perforin and perforin mRNA seen in the 48 h period following a 1 h exposure to TBT were not statistically significantly prevented/reversed by IL-2. Additionally, the TBT-induced decreases in granzyme B, granzyme B mRNA, and CREB phosphorylation were not statistically significantly reversed by either IL-2 or IL-12 after 24 or 48 h.
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PMID:Effects of interleukins 2 and 12 on the levels of granzyme B and perforin and their mRNAs in tributyltin-exposed human natural killer cells. 1603 71

Pentoxifylline (PTX) is an unspecific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase activity that increases intracellular concentration of cyclic nucleotides, mainly cAMP. Since PTX improves microcirculatory blood flow, it is commonly and often chronically used in peripheral vascular diseases. On the other hand PTX also displays a variety of immunomodulatory activities. PTX inhibits natural cytotoxicity and it has previously been suggested that it could partially act also through its influence on perforin/granzyme-dependent pathways. However, the underlying mechanisms are obscure and it remains unknown whether PTX inhibits natural cytotoxicity influencing only leukocytes or also acting on target cells. In this study, we show that PTX inhibits expression of granzyme A in human leukocytes probably due to suppression of phosphodiesterase activity. Contrary, PTX does not affect expression of granzyme B and H. On the other hand we hypothesized that PTX could inhibit natural cytotoxicity not only affecting leukocytes but also due to generation of resistance to leukocyte-mediated cytotoxicity in target cells e.g. through overexpression of PI-9, a specific granzyme B inhibitor. We found that at the mRNA level, PTX stimulates expression of PI-9 in K562 cells. However, we did not observe such an influence at the protein level, in either K562 cells or in human leukocytes. It may suggest that other PTX-triggered molecular events may interfere with PI-9 overexpression in these cells at the further, post-transcriptional levels. According to these results, PTX did not affect resistance of target cells to natural cytotoxicity. Altogether, PTX inhibits natural cytotoxicity affecting mainly effector but not target cells and in case of the effector cells, besides previously reported mechanisms, it can also inhibit granzyme A expression.
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PMID:Influence of pentoxifylline on natural cytotoxicity and expression of granzymes and PI-9, a specific granzyme B inhibitor. 1632 22

Following antigenic stimulation and differentiation, Th1 and Th2 effector cells contribute differently to cellular and humoral immunity. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) induces Th2 responses by promoting Th2 differentiation and survival. In this study, we investigate the mechanisms for the protective effect of VIP against activation-induced cell death (AICD) of Th2 effectors. Surprisingly, microarray and protein data indicate that VIP prevents the up-regulation of granzyme B (GrB) in Th2 but not Th1 effectors. This is the first report of GrB expression in Th cells and of its involvement in activation-induced apoptosis. The enhanced responsiveness of Th2 cells to VIP is probably due to the higher expression of VIP receptors. The effect of VIP on Th2 survival and GrB expression is mediated through the VIP receptors 1 and 2 and cAMP signaling through exchange protein activated by cAMP and, to a lesser degree, protein kinase A. In addition to effects on GrB, VIP also down-regulates Fas ligand (FasL) and perforin (Pfr) expression. The extrinsic Fas/FasL pathway and the intrinsic GrB-dependent pathway act independently in inducing AICD. The mechanisms by which GrB induces cell death in Th1/Th2 effectors include both fratricide and suicide. Fratricide killing, prevalent in wild-type cells, is calcium and Pfr dependent, whereas the cell death of Pfr-deficient Th cells involves Fas and GrB but is calcium independent. This study identifies GrB as a new significant player in Th1/Th2 AICD and characterizes two mechanisms for the protective effect of VIP on Th2 survival, i.e., the down-regulation of GrB and FasL expression.
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PMID:Granzyme B, a new player in activation-induced cell death, is down-regulated by vasoactive intestinal peptide in Th2 but not Th1 effectors. 1636

Neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) are characterized by focal regions of demyelination and axonal loss associated with infiltrating T cells. However, the role of activated T cells in causing neuronal injury remains unclear. CD4 and CD8 T cells were isolated from normal donors and polyclonally activated using plate-bound anti-CD3 and soluble anti-CD28. The conditioned T cell supernatants caused toxicity to cultured human fetal neurons, which could be blocked by immunodepleting the supernatants of granzyme B (GrB). Recombinant GrB also caused toxicity in neurons by caspase-dependent pathways but no toxicity was seen in astrocytes. The neurotoxicity was independent of perforin and could not be blocked by mannose-6-phosphate. However, GrB-induced neurotoxicity was sensitive to pertussis toxin, implicating the stimulation of Gialpha protein-coupled receptors. GrB caused a decrease in cAMP levels but only modest increases in intracellular calcium. The effect on intracellular calcium could be markedly potentiated by stromal-derived factor 1alpha. GrB-induced neurotoxicity could also be blocked by vitamin E and a neuroimmunophilin ligand. In conclusion, GrB may be an important mediator of neuronal injury in T cell-mediated neuroinflammatory disorders.
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PMID:Granzyme B mediates neurotoxicity through a G-protein-coupled receptor. 1663 4

There is a great need for pharmacological approaches to enhance neural progenitor cell (NPC) function particularly in neuroinflammatory diseases with failed neuroregeneration. In diseases such as multiple sclerosis and stroke, T-cell infiltration occurs in periventricular zones where NPCs are located and is associated with irreversible neuronal loss. We studied the effect of T-cell activation on NPC functions. NPC proliferation and neuronal differentiation were impaired by granzyme B (GrB) released by the T-cells. GrB mediated its effects by the activation of a Gi-protein-coupled receptor leading to decreased intracellular levels of cAMP and subsequent expression of the voltage-dependent potassium channel, Kv1.3. Importantly, blocking channel activity with margatoxin or blocking its expression reversed the inhibitory effects of GrB on NPCs. We have thus identified a novel pathway in neurogenesis. The increased expression of Kv1.3 in pathological conditions makes it a novel target for promoting neurorestoration.
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PMID:Activated T-cells inhibit neurogenesis by releasing granzyme B: rescue by Kv1.3 blockers. 2070 93


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