Granzyme

Granzyme is a portmanteau of granules and enzymes and describes proteases that are active in the intracellular granules of immune cells, particularly true in cytotoxic T cells. They are supported mainly by the enzyme perforin. There are over 11 (according to other sources: five) different Granzyme known (A to M). They are serine proteases. Primarily responsible for the apoptosis of endogenous and exogenous cells Granzyme. This is their importance in the defense against infections, transplanted foreign tissue, tumor cells and in autoimmune diseases.