Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-6-25
pubmed:abstractText
Human neutrophil alpha-defensins (HNPs) are small, cationic, Cys-rich antimicrobial proteins that play important roles in innate immunity against infectious microbes such as bacteria, fungi and enveloped viruses. Synthesized as inactive precursors in vivo (pre-proHNPs), HNPs are activated through proteolytic removal of the inhibitory pro-peptide required for subcellular sorting and correct folding. We seek to understand the molecular basis for the recognition between the 45-residue pro-peptide and the C-terminal functional domain. Here we described, total chemical synthesis of the 75-residue human neutrophil pro alpha-defensin-1 (proHNP1) via native chemical ligation. After oxidative folding, proHNP1 is cleaved by cyanogen bromide at the Met45-Ala46 peptide bond to release the mature form. The native disulfide connectivity in HNP1, i.e. Cys1-Cys6, Cys2-Cys4 and Cys3-Cys5, is verified by mass mapping of peptide fragments generated by proteolytic digestion and Edman degradation. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies and antimicrobial activity assays further support that synthetic proHNP1 and HNP1 are correctly folded. While largely unstructured in aqueous solution, the pro-peptide binds to HNP1 intermolecularly with an apparent Kd value of 6.2 microM at pH 7.4, confirming the mode of intramolecular inactivation of human alpha-defensin precursors.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
1397-002X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
62
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
53-62
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
From pro defensins to defensins: synthesis and characterization of human neutrophil pro alpha-defensin-1 and its mature domain.
pubmed:affiliation
Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't