Granzyme A (GZMA) is a serine protease expressed in cytotoxic lymphocytes. It is known to trigger target cell death through a unique pathway involving DNA damage . Unlike Granzyme B, which activates caspases directly, GZMA induces apoptosis via a caspase-independent mechanism . It enters target cells with the help of perforin and initiates a series of events that lead to the activation of nucleases, causing DNA damage and ultimately cell death . GZMA also stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in monocytes and inhibits intracellular replication of mycobacteria within infected human monocytes .
GZMA is part of a family of granzyme genes, which vary in number and type across different species. In cattle, GZMA is one of six granzymes identified, along with granzymes B, H, K, M, and O . All six granzyme genes are expressed at the mRNA level in activated bovine CD8 T cells .
Recombinant GZMA can be produced using various expression systems. One efficient method involves using HEK293T cells to purify high yields of human granzymes . This system allows for the production of proteins that are correctly folded, enzymatically active, and free of native contaminants . Avoiding endotoxin contamination is crucial during purification, especially when using bacterial expression systems . Mammalian expression systems are preferred because they reduce the risk of endotoxin contamination .
GZMA has several biological activities, including inducing apoptosis and stimulating pro-inflammatory cytokine production . It has been implicated in bacterial sepsis due to its pro-inflammatory potential . Recombinant GZMA is used in various research applications, including Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and flow cytometry .
Antibodies against GZMA are useful for detecting the protein in different types of samples. For example, the Granzyme A antibody (11288-1-AP) from Proteintech is a rabbit polyclonal antibody that has been tested for reactivity with human, mouse, and rat samples . It has been validated for use in Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) applications .
| Application | Dilution |
|---|---|
| Western Blot (WB) | 1:500-1:2000 |
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | 1:20-1:200 |