Azurocidin 1 (AZU1)

Azurocidin 1 (AZU1) is a neutrophil granule-derived glycoprotein serving both as an antimicrobial molecule and as a chemotactic agent for monocytes and fibroblasts[1][2][3][4][8]. Although it belongs to the serine protease gene family, it is classified as a *pseudoenzyme* because it lacks protease activity, due to substitutions in key catalytic residues[1][2]. AZU1 has potent antibacterial properties, especially against Gram-negative bacteria, attributed to its strong affinity for negatively charged bacterial lipopolysaccharides[2][5][8]. In addition, it is a multifunctional inflammatory mediator that recruits monocytes to sites of infection and inflammation, and binds heparin. Its clinical significance is highlighted by its role as a plasma biomarker for sepsis risk, and emerging data implicate it in tumor cell biology[1][7]. The protein is encoded by the AZU1 gene, located on chromosome 19 in a cluster with other neutrophil granule proteins[1][2].

Other names

Cationic antimicrobial protein CAP37Heparin-binding protein (HBP)CAP37AZAMPNAZCHUMAZURhHBPAzurocidinNeutrophil azurocidinCationic antimicrobial protein 37

Not applicable (no direct drug interaction information available, but biological function includes antibacterial activity mediated by strong heparin/lipopolysaccharide binding)