The
alpha defensins are a family of microbicidal and cytotoxic peptides that defend the host against
bacteria and
viruses. HD6 has poor antibacterial potency. However, HD6 affords protection against invasion by
enteric bacterial
pathogens by self-assembly to form
fibrils and
nanonets that surround and entangle bacteria. Several alpha
defensin genes, including
DEFA6, are clustered on chromosome 8. == References ==