Primary Citation of Related Structures:   1DFN
PubMed Abstract: 
Defensins (molecular weight 3500 to 4000) act in the mammalian immune response by permeabilizing the plasma membranes of a broad spectrum of target organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses. The high-resolution crystal structure of defensin HNP-3 (1 ...
Defensins (molecular weight 3500 to 4000) act in the mammalian immune response by permeabilizing the plasma membranes of a broad spectrum of target organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses. The high-resolution crystal structure of defensin HNP-3 (1.9 angstrom resolution, R factor 0.19) reveals a dimeric beta sheet that has an architecture very different from other lytic peptides. The dimeric assembly suggests mechanisms by which defensins might bind to and permeabilize the lipid bilayer.
Related Citations: 
Primary Structures of Three Human Neutrophil Defensins Selsted, M.E., Harwig, S.S.L., Ganz, T., Schilling, J.W., Lehrer, R.I. (1985) J Clin Invest 76: 1436
Defensins. Natural Peptide Antibiotics of Human Neutrophils Ganz, T., Selsted, M.E., Szklarek, D., Harwig, S.S.L., Daher, K., Bainton, D.F., Lehrer, R.I. (1985) J Clin Invest 76: 1427
Organizational Affiliation: 
Eisenberg, Molecular Biology Institute, Los Angeles, CA.