Practice question
Question
Which of the following is an antimicrobial peptide?
Explanation
Antimicrobial peptides such as defensins and cathelicidins are cationic molecules that disrupt microbial membranes by forming pores or micelles. α-Defensins are stored in neutrophil granules and Paneth cells, while β-defensins are produced by epithelial cells. Their broad-spectrum activity constitutes an important chemical barrier of innate immunity at mucosal and epithelial surfaces.