neutrophil defensin 4; defensin, alpha 4; HNP-4; HP-4 (DEFA4, DEF4)

Function

• antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, & to a lesser extent also against Gram-positive bacteria & fungi
• protects blood cells against infection with HIV-1 (in vitro)
• has corticostatic effect on adrenal cells
  • inhibits corticotropin (ACTH)-stimulated cortisol secretion
• L-type calcium channel agonist at nanomolar concentrations

Structure

• homodimer
• belongs to the alpha-defensin family

Compartment

• found in microbicidal granules of neutrophils
• secreted

More general terms

• defensin

Database

• Entrez gene: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=gene&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Graphics&list_uids=1669
• Kegg: http://www.genome.jp/dbget-bin/www_bget?hsa:1669
• OMIM: https://mirror.omim.org/entry/601157
• UniProt: http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P12838.html