Antimicrobial RNases in cutaneous defense.
Antimicrobial proteins (AMP) are small endogenous proteins which are capable of rapidly inactivating microorganisms at low micro- and nanomolar concentrations. Their significance in host defense is reflected by their wide distribution in nature. Several AMP have been isolated from human skin, and there is increasing evidence that AMP may play an important role in cutaneous defense. One important human AMP class comprises several antimicrobial members of the RNase A superfamily. Of these, two members, RNase 7 and RNase 5, have been implicated in cutaneous defense. This review gives an overview about our current knowledge on the potential role of RNase 7 and RNase 5 in protecting human skin from infection.
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel Campus, Kiel, Germany.
Maren
M
Simanski
Bente
B
Köten
Jens-Michael
JM
Schröder
Regine
R
Gläser
Jürgen
J
Harder
D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / Q000276:immunology*; D012260:Ribonucleases / Q000276:immunology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D012260:Ribonucleases; C470000:Ribonuclease 7; C046366:angiogenin; D012259:Ribonuclease, Pancreatic