PRTN3 is a
serine protease enzyme expressed mainly in
neutrophil granulocytes. Its exact role in the function of the neutrophil is unknown, but, in human neutrophils, proteinase 3 contributes to the proteolytic generation of antimicrobial peptides. It is also the target of
anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) of the
c-ANCA (
cytoplasmic subtype) class, a type of antibody frequently found in the disease
granulomatosis with polyangiitis. == References ==