Adefensin is a smallcationprotein found in animals and plants.[1][2] They arehost defence peptides. They work againstbacteria,fungi and manyviruses.
Defensins have 18-45amino acids including six to eight conservedcysteine residues.[3] Cells of theimmune system have these peptides to help killphagocytosed bacteria. Those cells includeneutrophilgranulocytes and almost allepithelial cells. Most defensins work by binding to themicrobialcell membrane. Once there, they make tiny holes in the membrane which allow vitalions andnutrients to leak out.