Abstract
We cloned a novel human beta-defensin gene and determined its full-length cDNA sequence. The entire gene spanned more than 7 kb and included a large 6962-bp intron. The 362-bp cDNA encoded a prepropeptide that corresponded precisely to the recently identified human beta-defensin HBD-1, an antimicrobial peptide implicated in the resistance of epithelial surfaces to microbial colonization. By two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization on both metaphase chromosome and released chromatin fiber, HBD-1 gene (DEFB1 in HUGO/GDB nomenclature) mapped to chromosomal region 8p23.1-p23.2 in close proximity (within 100-150 kb) to the gene for the human neutrophil alpha-defensin HNP-1 (DEFA1). Thus, despite a complete lack of DNA sequence similarity and despite differences in their disulfide-pairing pattern, the alpha- and beta-families appear to have evolved from a common premammalian defensin gene.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Algorithms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Anti-Infective Agents / metabolism*
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Base Sequence
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Blood Proteins / genetics*
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Chromosome Mapping
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Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 / genetics
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DNA, Complementary / analysis
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DNA, Complementary / chemistry
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DNA, Complementary / genetics
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Databases, Factual
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Defensins
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Disulfides / chemistry
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Evolution, Molecular
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Genes / genetics*
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Humans
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In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Multigene Family*
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Peptides / chemistry
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Peptides / genetics
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Protein Structure, Secondary
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Sequence Alignment / methods
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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alpha-Defensins*
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beta-Defensins*
Substances
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Anti-Infective Agents
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Blood Proteins
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DEFB1 protein, human
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DNA, Complementary
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Defensins
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Disulfides
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Peptides
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alpha-Defensins
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beta-Defensins
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human neutrophil peptide 1
Associated data
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GENBANK/U50930
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GENBANK/U50931
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GENBANK/X92744