Perforin is a type of protein formed by the combination of T cells and natural killer cells that causes the cell to dissolve by opening a hole in the membrane of the target cell. It is a concept associated with the word piercing. If you remember, Perforate means punching holes in English.
Like the C9 component of the complement, the molecule produced by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells polymerized to form holes in the target cell membrane, causing the death of the target cell.
Perforin is a glycoprotein responsible for pore formation in cell membranes of target cells. Perforin is able to polymerize and form a channel in target cell membrane.
Perforin is a protein released by natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, Natural killer (NK) cells and CD8-positive T-cells are the main source of perforin.
