Perforin

**Definition:** A calcium-dependent pore-forming protein synthesized in cytolytic LYMPHOCYTES and sequestered in secretory granules. Upon immunological reaction between a cytolytic lymphocyte and a target cell, perforin is released at the plasma membrane and polymerizes into transmembrane tubules (forming pores) which lead to death of a target cell.

**Tree numbers:** - D12.776.543.695.875

**Synonyms:** - Perforin 1 - Cytolysin - Lymphocyte Pore-Forming Protein