Abstract
Host defense peptides (HDPs) are endogenous antibiotics that play a multifunctional role in the innate immunity of mammals. Among these, βdefensins contribute to mucosal and epithelial defense, also acting as signal molecules for cellular components of innate and adaptive immunity. Numerous members of this family have been identified in mammalian and avian species, and genomic studies in human and mouse indicate a considerable complexity in their gene organization. Recent reports on the evolution of primate and rodent members of this family indicate quite a complex pattern of variation. In this review we briefly discuss the evolution of mammalian βdefensins in relation to other types of defensins, and then concentrate on the evolution of βdefensins 1 to 4 in primates. In particular, the surprisingly varied patterns of evolution, which range from neutral or weakly purifying, to positive selection to a high level of conservation are analyzed in terms of possible genetics, structural or functional implications, as well as to observed variations on the antimicrobial activity in vitro. The role of polymorphisms in the genes encoding for these host defense peptides in determining susceptibility to human diseases are also briefly considered.
Keywords: defensin, antimicrobial peptide, host defense, innate immunity, molecular evolution
Current Protein & Peptide Science
Title: Primate β-defensins - Structure, Function and Evolution
Volume: 6 Issue: 1
Author(s): Sergio Crovella, Nikolinka Antcheva, Igor Zelezetsky, Michele Boniotto, Sabrina Pacor, Maria Vittoria Verga Falzacappa and Alessandro Tossi
Affiliation:
Keywords: defensin, antimicrobial peptide, host defense, innate immunity, molecular evolution
Abstract: Host defense peptides (HDPs) are endogenous antibiotics that play a multifunctional role in the innate immunity of mammals. Among these, βdefensins contribute to mucosal and epithelial defense, also acting as signal molecules for cellular components of innate and adaptive immunity. Numerous members of this family have been identified in mammalian and avian species, and genomic studies in human and mouse indicate a considerable complexity in their gene organization. Recent reports on the evolution of primate and rodent members of this family indicate quite a complex pattern of variation. In this review we briefly discuss the evolution of mammalian βdefensins in relation to other types of defensins, and then concentrate on the evolution of βdefensins 1 to 4 in primates. In particular, the surprisingly varied patterns of evolution, which range from neutral or weakly purifying, to positive selection to a high level of conservation are analyzed in terms of possible genetics, structural or functional implications, as well as to observed variations on the antimicrobial activity in vitro. The role of polymorphisms in the genes encoding for these host defense peptides in determining susceptibility to human diseases are also briefly considered.
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Crovella Sergio, Antcheva Nikolinka, Zelezetsky Igor, Boniotto Michele, Pacor Sabrina, Falzacappa Vittoria Verga Maria and Tossi Alessandro, Primate β-defensins - Structure, Function and Evolution, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2005; 6 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203053027593
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203053027593 |
Print ISSN 1389-2037 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5550 |
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