Defensins

Defensins are small cysteine-rich cationic proteins across cellular life, including vertebrate and invertebrate animals, plants, and fungi. They are host defense peptides, with members displaying either direct antimicrobial activity, immune signaling activities, or both. They are variously active against bacteria, fungi and many enveloped and nonenveloped viruses. They are typically 18-45 amino acids in length, with three or four highly conserved disulphide bonds.

thumb|300 px|Defensin 3, dimer, Human.

Beta-defensin 119 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DEFB119 gene.

Beta-defensin 127 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DEFB127 gene.

protein family

Beta-defensin 118 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DEFB118 gene.

Beta-defensin 103 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DEFB103A gene.

Defensin, alpha 5 (DEFA5) also known as human alpha defensin 5 (HD5) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DEFA5 gene. DEFA5 is expressed in the Paneth cells of the ileum.

mammalian protein found in Homo sapiens

Defensin, alpha 1 also known as human alpha defensin 1, human neutrophil peptide 1 (HNP-1) or neutrophil defensin 1 is a human protein that is encoded by the DEFA1 gene. Human alpha defensin 1 belongs to the alpha defensin family of antimicrobial peptides.

Defensin, alpha 1B a human protein that is encoded by the DEFA1B gene.

Defensin, alpha 6 (DEFA6) also known as human alpha defensin 6 (HD6) is a human protein that is encoded by the DEFA6 gene. DEFA6 is expressed in the Paneth cells of the ileum.

Plectasin is an antibiotic protein from the mushroom Pseudoplectania nigrella. It was initially discovered in 2005 and commercialised by Novozymes. Plectasin belongs to the antimicrobial peptide class called fungal defensins, which is also present in invertebrates such as flies and mussels.