Azurocidin 1

Azurocidin also known as cationic antimicrobial protein CAP37 or heparin-binding protein (HBP) is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the AZU1 is_associated_with::gene.

Function
is_associated_with::Azurophil granules, specialized is_associated_with::lysosomes of the is_associated_with::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.

Clinical significance
In patients with fever, high plasma levels of HBP indicates that the patient is at high risk of developing is_associated_with::sepsis with is_associated_with::circulatory collapse.