Defensin alpha 6 (DEFA6)

Defensin alpha 6 (DEFA6) is a human antimicrobial peptide predominantly produced by Paneth cells in the small intestine, encoded by the DEFA6 gene[1][3][4][5]. Unlike most alpha-defensins, DEFA6 (HD-6) exhibits little or no direct bactericidal activity in its common oxidized state; instead, it confers intestinal barrier protection by self-assembling into nanonets that physically entangle and neutralize bacterial and fungal pathogens, thus preventing their invasion of intestinal epithelial cells[4][5][7][1]. Defensin alpha 6 is synthesized as an inactive propeptide (proHD6), which is activated by proteolytic processing (primarily by trypsin) upon secretion into the gut lumen[4][5]. Variations in DEFA6 expression have been linked to diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal atresia[3][6]. There are no known drugs in clinical use that specifically target Defensin alpha 6, and its therapeutic potential has not been realized, though altered function or expression serves as a biomarker for some intestinal pathologies[3][6][4].

Other names

Defensin-6HD-6DEF6Defensin, alpha 6Paneth cell-specific alpha-defensin 6Human alpha-defensin 6defensin-6defensin, alpha 6

Forms self-assembled nanonets to physically entrap and neutralize invasive microbes without direct microbicidal action (primary, unique mechanism). Under certain (reducing, acidic) conditions, inhibits anaerobic commensal bacteria.