title: Defensin-6 mRNA in human Paneth cells: implications for antimicrobial peptides in host defense of the human bowel.
abstract: The epithelial surface of the human small intestine is a barrier between the host and the microbial environment of the lumen. A human small intestine cDNA clone was found to encode a new member of the defensin family of antimicrobial peptides, named human defensin-6. Tissue expression of this mRNA is specific for the small intestine as determined by Northern blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction analysis. In situ hybridization demonstrated that human defensin-6 mRNA localizes to Paneth cells in the crypts of Lieberkühn. The finding of an abundant defensin mRNA in human Paneth cells supports the notion that these epithelial cells may play a key role in host defense of the human bowel. The results also strengthen the hypothesis that peptide-based host defenses are prevalent at mucosal surfaces in mammals.
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bevins
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D001770:Blood Bactericidal Activity; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D023082:Defensins; D004220:Disulfides / Q000737:chemistry; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D023082:Defensins; D004220:Disulfides; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA