TY - JOUR
T1 - Primate β-defensins - Structure, function and evolution
AU - Crovella, Sergio
AU - Antcheva, Nikolinka
AU - Zelezetsky, Igor
AU - Boniotto, Michele
AU - Pacor, Sabrina
AU - Falzacappa, Maria Vittoria Verga
AU - Tossi, Alessandro
PY - 2005/2
Y1 - 2005/2
N2 - Host defense peptides (HDPs) are endogenous antibiotics that play a multifunctional role in the innate immunity of mammals. Among these, β-defensins 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 β-defensins in relation to other types of defensins, and then concentrate on the evolution of β-defensins 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.
AB - Host defense peptides (HDPs) are endogenous antibiotics that play a multifunctional role in the innate immunity of mammals. Among these, β-defensins 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 β-defensins in relation to other types of defensins, and then concentrate on the evolution of β-defensins 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.
KW - β-defensin
KW - Antimicrobial peptide
KW - Host defense
KW - Innate immunity
KW - Molecular evolution
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U2 - 10.2174/1389203053027593
DO - 10.2174/1389203053027593
M3 - Article
C2 - 15638765
AN - SCOPUS:13844308077
VL - 6
SP - 7
EP - 21
JO - Current Protein and Peptide Science
JF - Current Protein and Peptide Science
SN - 1389-2037
IS - 1
ER -