Evolution, expression and effectiveness in a cluster of novel bovine beta-defensins.
The anti-microbial peptides beta-defensins constitute a large family of innate immune effector molecules, conserved across a wide species range. In this paper, we describe a systematic search of the sequenced bovine genome to characterise this extensive gene family in Bos taurus, providing an insight into the pattern of conservation of beta-defensin genes between species. We have sequenced a sub-set of these newly discovered bovine beta-defensin genes and also report expression data for these genes across a range of tissues. We have synthesised the peptide product of one of these genes, bovine beta-defensin 123, and found it to be a potent inhibitor of several pathogenic microbes, particularly Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes.
Cormican
Paul
P
School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Meade
Kieran G
KG
Cahalane
Sarah
S
Narciandi
Fernando
F
Chapwanya
Aspinas
A
Lloyd
Andrew T
AT
O'Farrelly
Cliona
C
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002417:Cattle / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D023083:beta-Defensins