Primate defensins.

Robert I Lehrer

doi:10.1038/nrmicro976

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PubMed · 15372083

Primate defensins.

Robert I Lehrer

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Abstract

Defensins are endogenous, cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptides that contribute to host defence against bacterial, fungal and viral infections. There are three subfamilies of defensins in primates: alpha-defensins are most common in neutrophils and Paneth cells of the small intestine; beta-defensins protect the skin and the mucous membranes of the respiratory, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts; and theta-defensins, which are expressed only in Old World monkeys, lesser apes and orangutans, are lectins with broad-spectrum antiviral efficacy. Here, their discovery and recent advances in understanding their properties and functions are described.

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Amino Acid Sequence Animals Anti-Infective Agents Bacteria Communicable Diseases Defensins Epithelial Cells Humans Models, Molecular Mucous Membrane Neutrophils Paneth Cells Primates Skin Viruses Journal Article Review

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Robert I Lehrer. 2004. Primate defensins.. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro976

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