title: Characterization and functions of beta defensins in the epididymis.
abstract: The epididymal beta-defensins have evolved by repeated gene duplication and divergence to encode a family of proteins that provide direct protection against pathogens and also support the male reproductive tract in its primary function. Male tract defensins also facilitate recovery from pathogen attack. The beta-defensins possess ancient conserved sequence and structural features widespread in multi-cellular organisms, suggesting fundamental roles in species survival. Primate SPAG11, the functional fusion of two ancestrally independent beta-defensin genes, produces a large family of alternatively spliced transcripts that are expressed according to tissue-specific and species-specific constraints. The complexity of SPAG11 varies in different branches of mammalian evolution. Interactions of human SPAG11D with host proteins indicate involvement in multiple signaling pathways.
authors.affiliation: Laboratories for Reproductive Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA. shh@med.unc.edu
authors.forename: Susan H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yenugu
authors.forename: Yashwanth
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Radhakrishnan
authors.forename: Maria Christina W
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Avellar
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petrusz
authors.forename: Frank S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: French
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D004822:Epididymis / Q000502:physiology*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008322:Mammals; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011323:Primates; D011487:Protein Conformation; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006020:Glycopeptides; C087044:SPAG11A protein, human; D023083:beta-Defensins