Equine α-defensins

Antimicrobial peptides are effector molecules of the innate immune system. Defensins are a predominant class of antimicrobial peptides. Defensins are small, cationic and amphiphatic peptides which are classified into three distinct sub-families: α-, β- und ((thetas))-defensins. The peptides exhibit an antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to characterize equine α-defensins. The equine α-defensins are the first peptides of this subfamily that were characterized in the Laurasiatheria. Two different α-defensins were analysed by RT-PCR concerning their tissue-sp…