AZU1
Description
The AZU1 (azurocidin 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 19.
Azurocidin, also known as cationic antimicrobial protein CAP37 or heparin-binding protein (HBP), is a protein encoded by the AZU1 gene in humans. It is found in azurophil granules, specialized lysosomes of neutrophils, and plays a role in killing microorganisms. Azurocidin has monocyte chemotactic and antibacterial activity, and it is a multifunctional inflammatory mediator. The AZU1 gene is located on chromosome 19pter, clustered with genes encoding neutrophil elastase 2 and proteinase 3, all of which are expressed coordinately during neutrophil differentiation. Although azurocidin is a member of the PA clan of proteases, it is not a serine proteinase due to substitutions in its active site. High plasma levels of HBP in patients with fever are associated with an increased risk of sepsis with circulatory collapse.
Azurocidin, also known as cationic antimicrobial protein CAP37 or heparin-binding protein (HBP), is a neutrophil granule-derived antibacterial and monocyte- and fibroblast-specific chemotactic glycoprotein. It binds heparin and exhibits cytotoxic action primarily against Gram-negative bacteria. This specificity is attributed to the strong affinity of its highly basic N-terminal region for the negatively charged lipopolysaccharides found on the outer envelope of Gram-negative bacteria. Azurocidin may play a role in recruiting monocytes during the later stages of inflammation. It has antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but this activity is inhibited by LPS from P. aeruginosa. Azurocidin alone lacks antimicrobial activity against several other Gram-negative bacteria, including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Haemophilus aphrophilus, Eikenella corrodens, and various Capnocytophaga species. However, when acting synergistically with either elastase or cathepsin G, it exhibits antibacterial activity against C. sputigena.
AZU1 is also known as AZAMP, AZU, CAP37, HBP, HUMAZUR, NAZC, hHBP.
