ABSTRACT
Objective To review the characteristics of human defensin 5 (HD 5), including molecular structure, antibacterial activity and gene expression, and to show its development prospect as a new drug in the treatment of enterogenic infection. Methods The published papers about HD 5 were reviewed to summarize its research progress. Results Being a 3-5 KDa cationic peptide rich in cysteine and arginine, especially without glycosylated side chain, HD 5 plays its antibacterial role against positive and negative Gram's bacterium, fungi, spirochete, protozoan and enveloped virus with the special active center composed of three disulfide bonds. HD 5 encoding gene alpha defensin 5 (DEFA 5) localizes at the 8th chromosome P21 pter with 449 bp, which includes five pieces of sequence: 5′ untranslated region (1-40),signal peptide (41-97), propiece (98-226), mature peptide (227-322),and Poly A (433-438).Conclusion As a broad spectrum and effective endogenous antimicrobial peptide, HD 5 would be a promising alternative peptide against enterogenic infection if the accessibility to its mass production is settled.