Drosomycin-like defensin, a human homologue of Drosophila melanogaster drosomycin with antifungal activity.

ABSTRACT: Innate antifungal defense in Drosophila melanogaster relies on the activation of the Toll molecule and the release of drosomycin, a defensin-like molecule with antifungal properties. Ten human homologues of Toll have been described, with central roles in activation of the innate host defense. In the present study, we report a putative human homologue of the Drosophila-derived drosomycin, designated drosomycin-like defensin (DLD). Synthetic DLD displays a broad spectrum of activity against Aspergillus spp. and other clinically relevant filamentous fungi. These effects are specific for filamentous fungi; no activity has been found against yeasts or gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria. Synthetic DLD also displays immunomodulatory effects on Aspergillus-stimulated cytokine production. In a

SUBMITTER: Simon A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2292511 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature