Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Human Sperm Antigen (HE2) Specifically Expressed in the Proximal Epididymis1

Osterhoff, Caroline; Kirchhoff, Christiane; Krull, Nora; Ivell, Richard

doi:10.1095/biolreprod50.3.516

Cited by 73 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…In vivo, processed according to an as yet unknown mechanism, β-pro-defensins are secreted into the immediate surroundings of epithelial cells. A growing family of proteins with a strong homology to β-defensins, called epididymis-specific secretory proteins (EP2/HE2/SPAG11), comprises the androgen-dependent molecules that are specifically expressed in the epithelium of the male reproductive tract [78][79][80][81]. The human gene encoding EP2 is located within the same section of chromosome 8 as several of the β-defensin genes [60,71].…”

Section: Gene Distribution and Organizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human β-defensins

Pazgier

Hoover

Yang

et al. 2006

Cell. Mol. Life Sci.

464

418

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The last decade led to the discovery and characterization of several human beta-defensins. Analysis of genomic information indicates that the number of beta-defensin-like molecules encoded by the human genome may number in the tens. Growing interest in beta-defensins steadily enhances our knowledge about various aspects of their gene location, expression patterns and the transcription factors involved in their regulation in vivo. The hallmark property of beta-defensins, their antimicrobial activity, is clearly only the tip of the iceberg in the extensive network of inter-relations within the immune system in which these peptides function. Structural studies of beta-defensins provide the molecular basis for a better understanding of their properties, functions and their potential for practical applications. In this review, we present some recent advances in the studies of human beta-defensins, with an emphasis on possible correlations between their structural and functional properties.

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Section: Gene Distribution and Organizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human β-defensins

Pazgier

Hoover

Yang

et al. 2006

Cell. Mol. Life Sci.

464

418

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show abstract

“…Human epididymis 2 (HE2) protein isoforms HE)2, a gene expressed in human epididymis (Osterhoff et al 1994) gives rise to multiple mRNAs that encode a family of small cationic secretory peptides of 4À8 kDa. The localization of the HE)2 gene in the defensin gene cluster on chromosome 8 and homology to the antimicrobial b-defensins suggest that these peptides play a role in the innate epithelial defense system of the epididymal duct.…”

Section: Defensinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Antimicrobial Peptides: Defensins, Cathelicidins and Histatins

2005

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Antimicrobial peptides, which have been isolated from many bacteria, fungi, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates, are an important component of the natural defenses of most living organisms. The isolated peptides are very heterogeneous in length, sequence and structure, but most of them are small, cationic and amphipathic. These peptides exhibit broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, fungi and enveloped viruses. A wide variety of human proteins and peptides also have antimicrobial activity and play important roles in innate immunity. In this review we discuss three important groups of human antimicrobial peptides. The defensins are cationic non-glycosylated peptides containing six cysteine residues that form three intramolecular disulfide bridges, resulting in a triple-stranded beta-sheet structure. In humans, two classes of defensins can be found: alpha-defensins and beta-defensins. The defensin-related HE2 isoforms will also be discussed. The second group is the family of histatins, which are small, cationic, histidine-rich peptides present in human saliva. Histatins adopt a random coil conformation in aqueous solvents and form alpha-helices in non-aqueous solvents. The third group comprises only one antimicrobial peptide, the cathelicidin LL-37. This peptide is derived proteolytically from the C-terminal end of the human CAP18 protein. Just like the histatins, it adopts a largely random coil conformation in a hydrophilic environment, and forms an alpha-helical structure in a hydrophobic environment.

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“…A sequence similarity search with this sequence revealed regions that were identical to the previously identi®ed gene HE2 (human epididymal secretory protein) (Kirchhoff et al, 1990;Krull et al, 1993;Osterhoff et al, 1994;Hamil et al, 2000). The HE2 gene produces six mRNA products (HE2a1, HE2a2, HE2b1, HE2b2, HE2g1, and HE2g2) by alternative splicing (Hamil et al, 2000).…”

Section: Identi®cation Of the He2 Gene Locus In The Defensin Gene Clumentioning

confidence: 78%

Discovery of new human β-defensins using a genomics-based approach

Jia

Schutte

Schudy

et al. 2001

Gene

209

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Epithelial b-defensins are broad-spectrum cationic antimicrobial peptides that also act as chemokines for adaptive immune cells. In the human genome, all known defensin genes cluster to a ,1 Mb region of chromosome 8p22-p23. To identify new defensin genes, the DNA sequence from a contig of large-insert genomic clones from the region containing human b-defensin-2 (HBD-2) was analyzed for the presence of defensin genes. This sequence survey identi®ed a novel b-defensin, termed HBD-3. The HBD-3 gene contains two exons, is located 13 kb upstream from the HBD-2 gene, and it is transcribed in the same direction. A partial HBD-3 cDNA clone was ampli®ed from cDNA derived from IL-1b induced fetal lung tissue. The cDNA sequence encodes for a 67 amino acid peptide that is ,43% identical to HBD-2 and shares the b-defensin six cysteine motif. By PCR analysis of two commercial cDNA panels, HBD-3 expression was detected in adult heart, skeletal muscle, placenta and in fetal thymus. From RT-PCR experiments, HBD-3 expression was observed in skin, esophagus, gingival keratinocytes, placenta and trachea. Furthermore, in fetal lung explants and gingival keratinocytes, HBD-3 mRNA expression was induced by IL-1b. Additional sequence analysis identi®ed the HE2 (human epididymis secretory protein) gene 17 kb upstream from the HBD-3 gene. One splice variant of this gene (HE2b1) encodes a b-defensin consensus cysteine motif, suggesting it represents a defensin gene product. HE2b1 mRNA expression was detected in gingival keratinocytes and bronchial epithelia using RT-PCR analysis. The discovery of these novel b-defensin genes may allow further understanding of the role of defensins in host immunity at mucosal surfaces. q

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Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Human Sperm Antigen (HE2) Specifically Expressed in the Proximal Epididymis1

Cited by 73 publications

References 30 publications

Human β-defensins

Human β-defensins

Human Antimicrobial Peptides: Defensins, Cathelicidins and Histatins

Discovery of new human β-defensins using a genomics-based approach

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