Antimicrobial Activity of Defensins and Defensin-Like Peptides with Special Emphasis on those from Fungi and Invertebrate Animals

Title:Antimicrobial Activity of Defensins and Defensin-Like Peptides with Special Emphasis on those from Fungi and Invertebrate Animals

Volume: 14 Issue: 6

Author(s): Tzi Bun Ng, Randy Chi Fai Cheung, Jack Ho Wong and Xiu Juan Ye

Affiliation:

Keywords: Defensins, defensin-like peptides, fungi, invertebrate animals.

Abstract: Living organisms are in perpetual contact with pathogenic microbes, and in encounter with parasites and predators. In order to protect themselves, they produce a variety of antimicrobial proteins and peptides. One family of such protective or defensive proteins is known as defensins, characterized by a cationic character, a low molecular mass, and an abundance of cysteine residues. Defensins from mammals and plants have been succinctly reviewed by a number of experts in this ever-growing field. This review encompasses the defensin plectasin from the saprophytic fungus Pseudoplectania nigrella as well as defensins and defensin-like peptides from invertebrate animals such as jellyfish, sponges, nematodes, crustaceans, arachnids, insects, bivalves, snails, and sea urchins. Big defensins from mollusks are mentioned together with amphioxus big defensin. The structures and activities of these defense proteins are discussed.

Cite this article as:

Ng Bun Tzi, Cheung Chi Fai Randy, Wong Ho Jack and Ye Juan Xiu, Antimicrobial Activity of Defensins and Defensin-Like Peptides with Special Emphasis on those from Fungi and Invertebrate Animals, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2013; 14 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/13892037113149990068