Paneth cell α-defensin 6 (HD-6) is an antimicrobial peptide.

ABSTRACT: Defensins protect human barriers from commensal and pathogenic microorganisms. Human α-defensin 6 (HD-6) is produced exclusively by small intestinal Paneth cells but, in contrast to other antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) for HD-6, no direct antibacterial killing activity has been detected so far. Herein, we systematically tested how environmental factors, like pH and reducing conditions, affect antimicrobial activity of different defensins against anaerobic bacteria of the human intestinal microbiota. Remarkably, by mimicking the intestinal milieu we detected for the first time antibacterial activity of HD-6. Activity was observed against anaerobic gut commensals but not against some pathogenic strains. Antibiotic activity was attributable to the reduced peptide and independent of free cystei

SUBMITTER: Schroeder BO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4424388 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature