in taxon process has causal agent natural killer cell cell killing leukocyte mediated cytotoxicity natural killer cell mediated immunity natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity killer activity NK cell mediated cell killing natural killer-cell mediated cytolysis natural killer cell mediated cell killing natural killer cell mediated cell death biological_process The directed killing of a target cell by a natural killer cell through the release of granules containing cytotoxic mediators or through the engagement of death receptors. GO:0042267 Note that either or both mechanisms mentioned in the definition may be used in this process. Note that both granule release and the engagement of death receptors on target cells result in induction of apoptosis in the target cell. natural killer cell mediated cytolysis NK cell mediated cell death NK cell mediated cytolysis NK cell mediated cytotoxicity Vertebrata <vertebrates>