Defensins (alpha and beta) are cationic peptides with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity that comprise an important arm of the innate immune system. The alpha-defensins are distinguished from the beta-defensins by the pairing of their three disulfide bonds. To date, four beta-defensins have been identified, BD-1, BD-2, BD-3 and BD-4. beta-defensins are expressed on some leukocytes and at epithelial surfaces. In addition to their direct antimicrobial activities, they are chemoattractant towards immature dendritic cells and memory T cells. The beta-defensin proteins are expressed as the C-terminal portion of precursors and are released by proteolytic cleavage of a signal sequence and, in the case of BD-1 (36 a.a.), a propeptide region. beta-defensins contain a six-cysteine motif that forms three intra-molecular disulfide bonds.
Molecular Weight:
Approximately 5.54 kDa, a single non-glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 51 amino acids.
Source:
Escherichia coli.
Purity:
>98% by SDS-PAGE and HPLC analyses.
Form:
Sterile Filtered White lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder.
Sequence:
AVGSLKSIGY EAELDHCHT N GGYCVRAICP PSARRPGSCF PEKNPCCKYM K
Formula:
Lyophilized from a 0.2mm filtered concentrated solution in PBS, pH 7.4.
Application Notes:
We recommend that this vial be briefly centrifuged prior to opening to bring the contents to the bottom. Reconstitute in sterile distilled water or aqueous buffer containing 0.1% BSA to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/mL. Stock solutions should be apportioned into working aliquots and stored at <-20C. Further dilutions should be made in appropriate buffered solutions.
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