Computational studies of Defensins reveals their potential use as Anti microbial peptides

Defensins, a class of small cationic protein with cysteine-rich nature that is known to perform a vital role in the human’s innate immune system by displaying powerful antimicrobial effect against bacteria, viruses and fungi. The primary subjects of investigation in this work are the composition, development, and functions of alpha and beta human defensins. Through sequence and structural analyses, the pivotal role of cysteine residues are unveiled. Defensin subclasses' evolutionary links are highlighted by phylogenetic studies, which highlight their shared ancestry and divergence. The distinct characteristics of beta-defensins, indicated by an extra alpha helix, are revealed by structural assessments. The investigation also delves into mutants, providing insight into the effects of antimicrobial action. Understanding the fundamental insights into human defenses are aided by analyses pertaining to molecular weight, instability index, blood-brain barrier penetration, and antimicrobial activity predictions. Therefore, these investigations demonstrate a starting point for new treatments that counteract infectious diseases. The special characteristics of these human antibiotics make them attractive candidates for treating various diseases.