Genome-level identification, gene expression, and comparative analysis of porcine β-defensin genes

Abstract

BackgroundBeta-defensins (β-defensins) are innate immune peptides with evolutionary conservation across a wide range of species and has been suggested to play important roles in innate immune reactions against pathogens. However, the complete β-defensin repertoire in the pig has not been fully addressed.ResultA BLAST analysis was performed against the available pig genomic sequence in the NCBI database to identify β-defensin-related sequences using previously reported β-defensin sequences of pigs, humans, and cattle. The porcine β-defensin gene clusters were mapped to chromosomes 7, 14, 15 and 17. The gene expression analysis of 17 newly annotated porcine β-defensin genes across 15 tissues using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed differences in their tissue distribution, with the kidney and testis having the largest pBD expression repertoire. We also analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the mature peptide region of pBD genes from 35 pigs of 7 breeds. We found 8 cSNPs in 7 pBDs.ConclusionWe identified 29 porcine β-defensin (pBD) gene-like sequences, including 17 unreported pBDs in the porcine genome. Comparative analysis of β-defensin genes in the pig genome with those in human and cattle genomes showed structural conservation of β-defensin syntenic regions among these species.

Porcine β-defensin 2 inhibits proliferation of pseudorabies virus in vitro and in transgenic mice

“…Defensins in vertebrates are subdivided into α, β and θ defensins based on their spatial structure and disulfide connectivity [2,3]. Within pigs, β defensin is the only subfamily of defensins which has been characterized so far [4][5][6]. Porcine β-defensin 2 (PBD-2) was first determined by sequence alignment with the existing sequence of porcine β-defensin 1 [6].…”

Sodium butyrate improves porcine host defense peptide expression and relieves the inflammatory response upon toll-like receptor 2 activation and histone deacetylase inhibition in porcine kidney cells

“…In the kidney, epithelial cells produce and secrete AMPs [5]. There are two major classes of AMPs in mammals (humans): defensins and cathelicidins.…”

Antibacterial Activity of Recombinant Porcine β-Defensin 2

“…It acts as a signaling molecule in the immune system and also as a chemotactic agent for T lymphocytes and immature dendritic cells. So, defensins have both anti-microbial and immunomodulatory effect (Choi et al, 2012). are expressed as the interval of concentration b-c μM, where b is the highest concentration tested at which microbial growth can be observed, and c is the lowest concentration yielding no detectable microbial growth (n= 3).…”