禽类防御素研究进展

Advance in Avian Defensins

防御素是一类不超过100个氨基酸的阳离子活性肽。因其能有效地杀灭细菌、某些真菌、螺旋体和囊膜病毒等微生物,成为世界范围内的一个研究热点。其中,仅β-防御素存在于禽类。依据禽类β-防御素分子结构、来源与氨基酸组成,可将其分为不同的类别。禽防御素广泛分布于禽的血液和消化道、呼吸道、泌尿生殖道上皮细胞等部位。进化关系分析表明,其他哺乳动物与鸟类抗菌肽来自于共同的β-防御素远古基因。禽类防御素的生物学活性显示其具有潜在的经济意义。为此,就其分类与组织分布、进化、生物学活性、基因工程及应用进行综述。

Defensins are relatively small molecules and cationic antimicrobial peptides,less than 100 amino acids, which are active against the microorganisms including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, spirochaeta and some enveloped viruses. So research on defensins has become a hot spot in the world. Tbereinto,β-defensins exist in poultry only. Different types of avian antimicrobial peptides were classified in terms of its source, homologous residues of amino acids and molecular framework. Avian defensins were abroad distributed in epithelium of blood, enteron, urine and procreative tracts of chicken. Evolutionary relationship between the avian β-defensins and the other vertebrates β-defensins indicated that there was a common ancestor of β-defensin genes. The peptides have shown potentially economical value. Therefore, this article focused on avian antimicrobial peptides. The classification and tissue distribution, evolution, bioactivities, gene engineering, and application of avian defensins were briefly reviewed.