AZU1

Function

This is a neutrophil granule-derived antibacterial and monocyte- and fibroblast-specific chemotactic glycoprotein. Binds heparin. The cytotoxic action is limited to many species of Gram-negative bacteria; this specificity may be explained by a strong affinity of the very basic N-terminal half for the negatively charged lipopolysaccharides that are unique to the Gram-negative bacterial outer envelope. It may play a role in mediating recruitment of monocytes in the second wave of inflammation. Has antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium P.aeruginosa, this activity is inhibited by LPS from P.aeruginosa. Acting alone, it does not have antimicrobial activity against the Gram-negative bacteria A.actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 29532, A.actinomycetemcomitans NCTC 9709, A.actinomycetemcomitans FDC-Y4, H.aphrophilus ATCC 13252, E.corrodens ATCC 23834, C.sputigena ATCC 33123, Capnocytophaga sp ATCC 33124, Capnocytophaga sp ATCC 27872 or E.coli ML-35. Has antibacterial activity against C.sputigena ATCC 33123 when acting synergistically with either elastase or cathepsin G.

Post-translational modifications

Cleavage of the N-terminal propeptide which is composed of 7 amino acids occurs in two steps. The initial cleavage of 5 amino acids is followed by the cleavage of a dipeptide to produce the mature form.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the peptidase S1 family. Elastase subfamily.

Cellular localization

• Cytoplasmic granule membrane
• Peripheral membrane protein
• Cytoplasmic side
• Localizes to azurophil granules of neutrophil granulocytes. Also called primary granules, these specialized lysosomes of the neutrophil formed early during promyelocyte development store antibacterial proteins and peptides.

Alternative names

• Azurocidin
• Cationic antimicrobial protein CAP37
• Heparin-binding protein
• HBP
• hHBP
• AZU1

Database links

• entrezGene:566
• omim:162815
• swissprot:P20160

Target type

Proteins

Molecular weight

26886Da