DEFA4

Defensin, alpha 4 (DEFA4), also known as neutrophil defensin 4 or HNP4, is a human is_associated_with::defensin is_associated_with::peptide that is encoded by the DEFA4 is_associated_with::gene. HNP4 is expressed in the granules of the is_associated_with::neutrophil where it defends the host against is_associated_with::bacteria and is_associated_with::viruses.

Function
Defensins are a is_associated_with::peptide family of is_associated_with::cytotoxic is_associated_with::microbicides involved in is_associated_with::innate immunity. Members of the defensin family are distinguished by a conserved six-is_associated_with::cysteine motif. Several human alpha defensin genes including HNP4 are clustered on is_associated_with::chromosome 8. DEFA4 differs from other defensin genes by an extra 83-base segment that is apparently the result of a recent duplication within the coding region. HNP4 inhibits is_associated_with::corticotropin-stimulated is_associated_with::corticosterone production.