Defensin
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Defensin is a family of small (30-35 residue) cysteine rich cationic proteins found in vertebrate phagocytes (notably the azurophil granules of neutrophils) and active against bacteria, fungi and enveloped virus.
May constitute up to 5% of the total protein. Insect defensins have some sequence homology with the vertebrate forms.
Any of a class of cytotoxic peptides that are found in neutrophils and have a broad range of antibiotic activity against various bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses by creating a voltage dependent membrane channel that allows efflux.
