Identification and characterization of three new human {β-defensins [beta-defensins]: hBD23, hBD27, and hBD29 [Elektronische Ressource] / von Francisco Javier Rodríguez Jiménez

Identification and characterization of three new human β-defensins:hBD23, hBD27, and hBD29Vom Fachbereich Chemie der Universit t Hannoverzur Erlangung des GradesDoktor der NaturwissenschaftenDr. rer. nat.genehmigte DissertationvonApotheker Francisco Javier Rodr guez JimØnezgeboren am 18.04.1972 in Madrid (Spanien)2003Referent: Prof. Dr. Walter M llerKoreferent: Prof. Dr. Bernd OttoTag der Promotion: 05. Juni 2003Abstract 1AbstractHuman β-defensins are a family of cationic peptides which share a pattern of 6 conservedcysteine residues forming three disulfide bonds. Defensins are components of the innateimmune system and are involved in proinflammatory processes. The present work describesthe cloning and characterization of the cDNAs of three novel β-defensin genes (DEFB23,DEFB27, and DEFB29) identified by bioinformatical approach. The genes are clustered intwo different contigs on chromosome 20. The genes consist of two exons and conserved exon-intron boundary regions. From cDNA analysis, secretory signal peptides and unusually longcarboxy-terminal extensions following the β-defensin cysteine core were deduced. Expressionanalysis in 28 human tissues revealed the occurrence of the transcripts in only a few organs.The highest abundance was found in the male genital tract.