The human β-defensin-1 and α-defensins are encoded by adjacent genes : Two peptide families with differing disulfide topology share a common ancestry

摘要: Abstract We cloned a novel human β-defensin gene and determined its full-length cDNA sequence. The entire spanned more than 7 kb included large 6962-bp intron. 362-bp encoded prepropeptide that corresponded precisely to the recently identified HBD-1, an antimicrobial peptide implicated in resistance of epithelial surfaces microbial colonization. By two-color fluorescence situ hybridization on both metaphase chromosome released chromatin fiber, HBD-1 (DEFB1 HUGO/GDB nomenclature) mapped chromosomal region 8p23.1–p23.2 close proximity (within 100–150 kb) for neutrophil α-defensin HNP-1 (DEFA1). Thus, despite complete lack DNA sequence similarity differences their disulfide-pairing pattern, α- β-families appear have evolved from common premammalian defensin gene.