Definition of "perforin" [perforin]

• A protein in killer cells and natural killer cells that causes lysis of target cells on contact. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "To date, five mutations in genes coding for proteins involved in cytotoxicity of lymphocytes, namely perforin (causing FHL2), Munc13-4"
• "T-cells and killer cells release a molecule called perforin which creates small holes in the cell membrane."
• "Our previous studies suggest that several effector mechanisms, such as perforin, granzymes, or complements, may be involved in the killing of cancer cells."