Cathelicidins are a family of antimicrobial proteins predominantly found in the peroxidase negative granules of neutrophils. The cathelicidins are synthesized as preproproteins. Within the neutrophils, they are stored in granules as inactive proforms after removal of the signal peptide. The active biologic domains of the cathelicidins generally reside in the C terminus. The C terminal antimicrobial peptides are activated when cleaved from the proforms of the cathelicidins by serine proteases from azurophil granules. FUNCTION: Binds to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), has antibacterial activity. SUBCELLULAR LOCATION: Secreted. TISSUE SPECIFICITY: Expressed in bone marrow and testis and neutrophils.
