防御素研究进展

The progress in defensin research

防御素是一种富含半胱氨酸,低分子量的阳离子抗菌肽。人类母乳中具有相当高浓度的防御素,母乳中的防御素不仅具有抵抗各种病原微生物的作用,而且可以促进婴儿免疫系统的建立和发展,降低婴儿上呼吸道的发病率。防御素在母乳中的作用已越来越引起人们的重视。该文重点介绍人类防御素的分子生物学特征和抗菌抗病毒的作用以及近年来对母乳中防御素的最新研究进展。

Defensin is a cysteine-rich, low molecular weight and cationic antimicrobial peptide. Human breast milk con-tains high level of defensin. The defensin in human breast milk can not only inhibit the growth of various pathogenic microorgan-isms, but also promote the development of infant immune system and reduce the incidence of infantile upper respiratory infection. Nowadays, the roles of defensin in breast milk is more recognized. This paper focuses on the molecular characteristics of human defensin, its antibacterial and antiviral roles, and the latest progress in defensin research.