Comparative genomics and evolution of the alpha-defensin multigene family in primates.

ABSTRACT: Defensin genes encode small cationic antimicrobial peptides that form an important part of the innate immune system. They are divided into three families, alpha (α), beta (β), and theta (), according to arrangement of the disulfide bonding pattern between cysteine residues. Considering the functional importance of defensins, investigators have studied the evolution and the genomic organization of defensin genes. However, these studies have been restricted mainly to β-defensins. To understand the evolutionary dynamics of α-defensin genes among primates, we identified the α-defensin repertoires in human, chimpanzee, orangutan, macaque, and marmoset. The α-defensin genes in primates can be classified into three phylogenetic classes (class I, II, and III). The presence of all three classes in

SUBMITTER: Das S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2981490 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature