DEFA6

Defensin, alpha 6 (DEFA6) also known as human alpha defensin 6 (HD6) is a human is_associated_with::protein that is encoded by the DEFA6 is_associated_with::gene. DEFA6 is expressed in the is_associated_with::Paneth cells of the is_associated_with::ileum.

Function
The is_associated_with::alpha defensins are a family of microbicidal and cytotoxic peptides that defend the host against is_associated_with::bacteria and is_associated_with::viruses. HD6 has poor antibacterial potency. However, HD6 affords protection against invasion by is_associated_with::enteric bacterial is_associated_with::pathogens by self-assembly to form is_associated_with::fibrils and is_associated_with::nanonets that surround and entangle bacteria.

Several alpha is_associated_with::defensin genes, including DEFA6, are clustered on chromosome 8.