Perforin is primarily identified as a cytolytic protein. This definition highlights its core function within the immune system – the ability to induce the destruction (lysis) of target cells.
Understanding Cytolytic Proteins
Cytolytic proteins are a class of molecules produced by immune cells that can directly damage or kill other cells. Their mechanism often involves disrupting the target cell's membrane integrity.
Perforin's Role and Expression
Based on the provided reference [35]:
- Type: Perforin is a cytolytic protein.
- Encoding: It is encoded by the PRF1 gene.
- Expression: It is mainly expressed by crucial immune cells, specifically:
- CD8+ T cells
- NK cells (Natural Killer cells)
How Perforin Works: The Mechanism
The reference describes Perforin's function:
- It can form a pore in the plasma membrane of its target cell.
- This pore formation promotes immune-mediated cell lysis.
Essentially, Perforin acts like a molecular drill, creating holes in the unwanted cell's outer layer. This disruption causes the cell to lose its internal balance and break apart, a process critical for eliminating virus-infected cells or tumor cells.
Key Characteristics of Perforin
Let's summarize the key features based on the provided information:
| Characteristic | Description | Source Information |
|---|---|---|
| Protein Type | Cytolytic protein | Explicitly stated in reference [35] |
| Gene Encoding | PRF1 | Mentioned in reference [35] |
| Main Expressing Cells | CD8+ T cells and NK cells | Mentioned in reference [35] |
| Primary Function | Forms pores in target cell membrane | Described as function in reference [35] |
| Outcome of Function | Promotes immune-mediated cell lysis | Described as outcome in reference [35] |
By forming these pores, Perforin enables the entry of other cytotoxic molecules, such as granzymes, into the target cell, further accelerating its demise.
