Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun biochemistry Any of a family of cysteine-rich proteins that are active against bacteria, fungi and viruses

Etymologies

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Examples

  • They have found that bees make a protein that they add to the honey, called defensin-1, which could one day be used to treat burns and skin infections and to develop new drugs that could combat antibiotic-resistant infections.

    Daily News & Analysis 2010

  • These AMPs are basically endogenously produced antibiotics with names like defensin 2, defensin 3, and cathelicidin.

    Creeping Crud grrm 2010

  • Led by University of Cincinnati scientists, the team found that skin cells that were genetically altered to produce higher levels of a protein known as human beta defensin 4 killed more bacteria than normal skin cells.

    Science Press Releases 2007

  • "You can concentrate it in a vaginally applied cream or gel, and sperm would pick up this defensin coat as they advanced into the cervix," Cherr said.

    Yahoo! News: Business - Opinion 2011

  • Another possible intervention for such couples might ultimately be synthetic forms of beta defensin 126 that can be added to sperm.

    Yahoo! News: Business - Opinion 2011

  • Proteins have always played an important part in this armoury, and a broad variety of defensin proteins have become part of the immune system of plants, insects and other animals except mammals.

    RedOrbit News - Technology 2010

  • In addition, their presence within the beta-defensin repeat raises the question whether they may contribute to the influence of this repeat on immune related conditions.

    BioMed Central - Latest articles 2010

  • In addition, their presence within the beta-defensin repeat raises the question whether they may contribute to the influence of this repeat on immune related conditions.

    BioMed Central - Latest articles 2010

  • In addition, their presence within the beta-defensin repeat raises the question whether they may contribute to the influence of this repeat on immune related conditions.

    BioMed Central - Latest articles 2010

  • In addition, their presence within the beta-defensin repeat raises the question whether they may contribute to the influence of this repeat on immune related conditions.

    BioMed Central - Latest articles 2010

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