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 alpha-defensins are distinguished from the beta-defensins by the pairing of their three disulfide bonds. To date, four human beta-defensins have been identified; BD-1, BD-2, BD-3 and BD-4. The beta-defensin proteins are expressed as the C-terminal portion of precursors and are released by proteolytic cleavage of a signal sequence. beta-defensins contain a six-cysteine motif that forms three intra-molecular disulfide bonds. beta-defensins are 3-5kD peptides ranging in size from aa33-47. BD-4 is expressed in testis, stomach, uterus, neutrophils, thyroid, lung and kidney. In addition to its direct antimicrobial activities, BD-4 is chemoattractant towards human blood monocytes. Recombinant human BD-4 is a 6kD protein containing 50aa.
Source:
Recombinant protein corresponding to human BD-4, expressed in E. coli.
Biological Activity:
Determined by its ability to chemoattract human monocytes using a concentration range of 0.1-100ng/ml.
Endotoxin Level:
<0.1ng/ug (1EU/ug)
AA Sequence:
EFELDRICGY GTARCRKKCR SQEYRIGRCP NTYACCLRKW DESLLNRTKP
Storage and Stability:
Lyophilized powder may be stored at -20 degrees C. Stable for 12 months at -20 degrees C. Reconstitute with sterile buffer or dH2O. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20 degrees C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.