Granulysin Cytotoxic Effector
Gene co-expression module in Natural Killer cells
| Category | Cytotoxicity |
|---|---|
| Genes | 9 |
| Annotation certainty | 4 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 8 of 9 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
GNLY (granulysin) is a cytotoxic effector molecule stored in NK lytic granules alongside perforin and granzymes, directly mediating target cell killing. FLNA (filamin A) crosslinks actin and is essential for NK cell immune synapse formation and cytotoxic polarization. DSTN (destrin/ADF) promotes actin depolymerization during cytoskeletal remodeling at the immune synapse. VCL (vinculin) and S100A4/S100A6 support cytoskeletal dynamics and cell motility. EMP3 is expressed on activated NK cells. TIMP1 modulates the extracellular matrix during NK cell migration. The module is moderately upregulated in inflammation, consistent with cytotoxic NK effector function.
Genes
ARL4C, DSTN, EMP3, FLNA, GNLY, S100A4, S100A6, TIMP1, VCL
Most correlated modules
- NK Homing Adhesion · correlation 0.83
- NK Activation Signaling · correlation 0.81
- NK Homing & Residency · correlation 0.80
- Cytotoxic NK Maturation · correlation 0.79
- KIR+ NK Maturation · correlation 0.74
- NK Cell Activation · correlation 0.72
- Innate Sensing NK Regulation · correlation 0.71
- NK Degranulation Activation · correlation 0.71
Module annotations were drafted by a large language model from the module's genes, then reviewed and approved by a domain expert. See sources & licences.