Azurocidin (AZU) ELISA Kit for Human

Azurophil granules, specialized lysosomes of the neutrophil, contain at least 10 proteins implicated in the killing of microorganisms. The protein encoded by this gene is an azurophil granule antibiotic protein, with monocyte chemotactic and antibacterial activity. It is also an important multifunctional inflammatory mediator. This encoded protein is a member of the serine protease gene family but it is not a serine proteinase, because the active site serine and histidine residues are replaced. The genes encoding this protein, neutrophil elastase 2, and proteinase 3 are in a cluster located at chromosome 19pter. All 3 genes are expressed coordinately and their protein products are packaged together into azurophil granules during neutrophil differentiation. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

AZU1: 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-nagative 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 29532, A.actinomycetemcomitans 9709, A.actinomycetemcomitans FDC-Y4, H.aphrophilus 13252, E.corrodens 23834, C.sputigena 33123, Capnocytophaga sp 33124, Capnocytophaga sp 27872 or E.coli ML-35. Has antibacterial activity against C.sputigena 33123 when acting synergistically with either elastase or cathepsin G. Belongs to the peptidase S1 family. Elastase subfamily.

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 19p13.3

Cellular Component: azurophil granule; extracellular region

Molecular Function: heparin binding; toxin binding; serine-type endopeptidase activity

Biological Process: positive regulation of tumor necrosis factor biosynthetic process; positive regulation of cell adhesion; microglial cell activation; proteolysis; glial cell migration; defense response to Gram-negative bacterium; macrophage chemotaxis; induction of positive chemotaxis; monocyte activation; cellular extravasation; positive regulation of MHC class II biosynthetic process; positive regulation of phagocytosis; protein kinase C activation; positive regulation of fractalkine biosynthetic process; positive regulation of interleukin-1 beta biosynthetic process; protein processing; immune response; regulation of vascular permeability; inflammatory response; negative regulation of apoptosis