title: Rat recombinant β-defensin 22 is a heparin-binding protein with antimicrobial activity.
abstract: Approximately 40-50 β-defensins are predominantly expressed in the male reproductive system of mammals. This selective expression raises the question as to the roles of these molecules in innate immunity and fertility in the male reproductive tract. Rat β-defensin 22 is an epididymis-specific β-defensin expressed in segments 12-14 of the epididymis. This protein contains both β-defensin and lectin signature sequences, yet its antimicrobial activity and carbohydrate-binding ability have not been shown. We herein demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of recombinant rat β-defensin 22 against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Its lectin-like activity was also investigated by demonstrating its binding ability with heparin beads. This heparin-binding activity implies some potential roles for this defensin in determining the fertilisation capabilities of sperm.
authors.affiliation: NPFPC Key Laboratory of Contraceptives and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai 200032, China. diaohua77@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Diao
authors.forename: He-Guo
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yong-Lian
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Nongnuj
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanphaichitr
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004822:Epididymis / Q000502:physiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D023083:beta-Defensins; D006493:Heparin