Not available outside of the UK & Ireland.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Defensins (alpha and beta) are cationic peptides with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity that comprise an important arm of the innate immune system. Recombinant human BD-1 is a 3.9 kDa protein containing 36 amino acid residues.

General description

Chemical structure: peptide

Defensins (alpha and beta) are cationic peptides with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity that comprise an important arm of the innate immune system. The α-defensins are distinguished from the β-defensins by the pairing of their three disulfide bonds. To date, four human β-defensins have been identified; BD-1, BD-2, BD-3 and BD-4. β-defensins are expressed on some leukocytes and at epithelial surfaces. In addition to their direct antimicrobial activities, they are chemoattractant towards immature dendritic cells and memory T cells. The b-defensin proteins are expressed as the C-terminal portion of precursors and are released by proteolytic cleavage of a signal sequence and, in the case of BD-1 (36a.a.), a propeptide region. β-defensins contain a six-cysteine motif that forms three intra-molecular disulfide bonds. b-defensins are 3-5 kDa peptides ranging in size from 33-47 amino acid residues. Recombinant human BD-1 is a 3.9 kDa protein containing 36 amino acid residues.

Physical form

Lyophilized from 10 mM Acetic Acid.

Reconstitution

Centrifuge the vial prior to opening. Reconstitute in 10 mM Acetic Acid to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/ml. Do not vortex. This solution can be stored at 2-8°C for up to 1 week. For extended storage, it is recommended to further dilute in a buffer containing a carrier protein (example 0.1% BSA) and store in working aliquots at -20°C to -80°C.

Sequence

DHYNCVSSGG QCLYSACPIF TKIQGTCYRG KAKCCK