DEFB118
Description
The DEFB118 (defensin beta 118) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 20.
Beta-defensin 118 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DEFB118 gene.
DEFB118 is a host defense peptide with antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative bacteria (E.coli and S.typhimurium) and Gram-positive bacteria (S.aureus and B.subtilis). It inhibits E.coli cell adhesion to intestinal epithelial enterocytes, causes rapid permeabilization of E.coli's outer and inner membranes leading to morphological changes, and binds to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with high affinity, potentially contributing to immunoregulation through LPS neutralization. DEFB118 is involved in epididymal innate immunity and may protect sperm from microbial attack.
DEFB118 is also known as C20orf63, DEFB-18, ESC42, ESP13.6.
