Biotech Ideas

[gfp927z]

>>> Defensin-mimetics as antibiotics, antifungals, and anti-inflammatories Defensin mimetics, also called host defense peptide (HDP) mimetics, are completely synthetic, non-peptide, small molecule structures that mimic defensins in structure and activity.[48] Similar molecules, such as brilacidin, are being developed as antibiotics,[49] anti-inflammatories for oral mucositis,[50][51] and antifungals, especially for candidiasis.[52][53][54] <<<


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensin#cite_note-38


>>> The human genome contains theta-defensin genes, but they have a premature stop codon, hampering their expression. An artificial human theta-defensin,[38] retrocyclin, was created by 'fixing' the pseudogene, and it was shown to be effective against HIV[39] and other viruses, including herpes simplex virus and influenza A. They act primarily by preventing these viruses from entering their target cells. <<<


>>> Toxins

There appear to have been multiple evolutionary recruitments of defensins to be toxin proteins used in the venoms of animals.[25] and act via a completely different mechanism to their antimicrobial relatives, binding directly to ion channels to disrupting nerve signals. Examples include the crotamine toxin in snake venom,[26] many scorpion toxins,[27] some sea anemone toxins,[28] and one of the toxins in platypus venom.[29] Indeed, an insect defensin has been experimentatlly converted into a toxin by deletion of a small loop that otherwise sterically hindered interactions with the ion channels.[30] <<<