Defensin, alpha 6 (DEFA6) also known as human alpha defensin 6 (HD6) is a human protein that is encoded by the DEFA6gene.[1][2]DEFA6 is expressed in the Paneth cells of the ileum.[3]
Function
The alpha defensins are a family of microbicidal and cytotoxic peptides that defend the host against bacteria and viruses. HD6 has poor antibacterial potency.[4] However, HD6 affords protection against invasion by enteric bacterial pathogens by self-assembly to form fibrils and nanonets that surround and entangle bacteria.[5]
Several alpha defensin genes, including DEFA6, are clustered on chromosome 8.[1]
↑Jones DE, Bevins CL (January 1993). "Defensin-6 mRNA in human Paneth cells: implications for antimicrobial peptides in host defense of the human bowel". FEBS Lett. 315 (2): 187–92. doi:10.1016/0014-5793(93)81160-2. PMID8417977.
↑Zhao C, Wang I, Lehrer RI (24 Nov 1996). "Widespread expression of beta-defensin hBD-1 in human secretory glands and epithelial cells". FEBS Lett. 396 (2–3): 319–22. doi:10.1016/0014-5793(96)01123-4. PMID8915011.
Mallow EB, Harris A, Salzman N, et al. (1996). "Human enteric defensins. Gene structure and developmental expression". J. Biol. Chem. 271 (8): 4038–45. doi:10.1074/jbc.271.8.4038. PMID8626737.
Bevins CL, Jones DE, Dutra A, et al. (1996). "Human enteric defensin genes: chromosomal map position and a model for possible evolutionary relationships". Genomics. 31 (1): 95–106. doi:10.1006/geno.1996.0014. PMID8808285.
Huttner KM, Selsted ME, Ouellette AJ (February 1994). "Structure and diversity of the murine cryptdin gene family". Genomics. 19 (3): 448–53. doi:10.1006/geno.1994.1093. PMID8188287.
