Identification of a novel, multifunctional β-defensin (human β-defensin 3) with specific antimicrobial activity (original) (raw)

Abstract.

Previous studies have shown the implication of β-defensins in host defense of the human body. The human β-defensins 1 and 2 (hBD-1, hBD-2) have been isolated by biochemical methods. Here we report the identification of a third human β-defensin, called human β-defensin 3 (hBD-3; cDNA sequence, Genbank accession no. AF295370), based on bioinformatics and functional genomic analysis. Expression of hBD-3 is detected throughout epithelia of many organs and in non-epithelial tissues. In contrast to hBD-2, which is upregulated by microorganisms or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), hBD-3 expression is increased particularly after stimulation by interferon-γ. Synthetic hBD-3 exhibits a strong antimicrobial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and fungi, including Burkholderia cepacia. In addition, hBD-3 activates monocytes and elicits ion channel activity in biomembranes, specifically in oocytes of Xenopus laevis. This paper also shows that screening of genomic sequences is a valuable tool with which to identify novel regulatory peptides. Human β-defensins represent a family of antimicrobial peptides differentially expressed in most tissues, regulated by specific mechanisms, and exerting physiological functions not only related to direct host defense.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

• Get 10 units per month
• Download Article/Chapter or eBook
• 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
• Cancel anytime Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. IPF Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 31, 30625 Hanover, Germany, , , , ,
   José-Ramón García, Sandra Schulz, Alexander Krause, Javier Rodríguez-Jiménez, Ulf Forssmann, Knut Adermann, Enno Klüver & Wolf-Georg Forssmann
2. Medizinische Klinik I, Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 81377 Munich, Germany, , , , ,
   Florian Jaumann, Claus Vogelmeier & Robert Bals
3. Julius-von-Sachs-Institut für Biowissenschaften, Lehrstuhl für Botanik I, Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie und Biophysik, 97082 Würzburg, Germany, , , , ,
   Dirk Becker & Rainer Hedrich

Authors

1. José-Ramón García
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
2. Florian Jaumann
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
3. Sandra Schulz
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
4. Alexander Krause
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
5. Javier Rodríguez-Jiménez
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
6. Knut Adermann
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
7. Enno Klüver
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
8. Claus Vogelmeier
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
9. Dirk Becker
   You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
10. Rainer Hedrich
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
11. Robert Bals
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Electronic Publication

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

García, JR., Jaumann, F., Schulz, S. et al. Identification of a novel, multifunctional β-defensin (human β-defensin 3) with specific antimicrobial activity.Cell Tissue Res 306, 257–264 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004410100433

Download citation

• Received: 30 March 2001
• Accepted: 25 May 2001
• Issue Date: November 2001
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004410100433