Convergent evolution of defensin sequence, structure and function

Defensins are a well-characterised group of small, disulphide-rich, cationic peptides that are produced by essentially all eukaryotes and are highly diverse in their sequences and structures. Most display broad range antimicrobial activity at low micromolar concentrations, whereas others have other...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2017-02, Vol.74 (4), p.663-682
Main Authors: Shafee, Thomas M. A., Lay, Fung T., Phan, Thanh Kha, Anderson, Marilyn A., Hulett, Mark D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino Acid Sequence
Analysis
Animals
Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry
Anti-Infective Agents - metabolism
Antimicrobial agents
Biochemistry
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Cell Biology
Defensins - chemistry
Defensins - genetics
Defensins - metabolism
Evolution, Molecular
Evolutionary biology
Gene Dosage
Humans
Life Sciences
Models, Molecular
Peptides
Phylogeny
Protein Conformation
Proteins
Review
Sequence Alignment
Studies
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Summary:Defensins are a well-characterised group of small, disulphide-rich, cationic peptides that are produced by essentially all eukaryotes and are highly diverse in their sequences and structures. Most display broad range antimicrobial activity at low micromolar concentrations, whereas others have other diverse roles, including cell signalling (e.g. immune cell recruitment, self/non-self-recognition), ion channel perturbation, toxic functions, and enzyme inhibition. The defensins consist of two superfamilies, each derived from an independent evolutionary origin, which have subsequently undergone extensive divergent evolution in their sequence, structure and function. Referred to as the cis - and trans -defensin superfamilies, they are classified based on their secondary structure orientation, cysteine motifs and disulphide bond connectivities, tertiary structure similarities and precursor gene sequence. The utility of displaying loops on a stable, compact, disulphide-rich core has been exploited by evolution on multiple occasions. The defensin superfamilies represent a case where the ensuing convergent evolution of sequence, structure and function has been particularly extreme. Here, we discuss the extent, causes and significance of these convergent features, drawing examples from across the eukaryotes.
ISSN:1420-682X
1420-9071
DOI:10.1007/s00018-016-2344-5