This is a fragment of the elafin (elastase-specific inhibitor), an antiproteinase and antimicrobial (gram-positive and gram-negative respiratory pathogens) molecule that is expressed at epithelial sites. Elafin is a potent inhibitor of HNE and proteinase 3 produced in the skin, and in the airways , which is up-regulated in response to early inflammatory cytokines such as TNF and IL-1. Elafin, along with SLPI, also shares characteristics with antimicrobial defensin-like molecules in being a low molecular weight cationic peptide with the ability to eliminate pulmonary pathogens.
King, A. et al. J. Clin. Endo. Metab. 88, 4426 (2003); Wiedow, O. et al . J. Biol. Chem.265, 14791 (1990); Wiedow, O. et al. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.174, 6 (1991); Tremblay, G. et al. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.154, 1092 (1996); Simpson, AJ. et al. J. Immunol.167, 1778 (2001).
H - Ala - Gln - Glu - Pro - Val - Lys - Gly - Pro - Val - Ser - Thr - Lys - Pro - Gly - Ser - Cys - Pro - Ile - Ile - Leu - Ile - Arg - Cys - Ala - Met - Leu - Asn - Pro - Pro - Asn - Arg - Cys - Leu - Lys - Asp - Thr - Asp - Cys - Pro - Gly - Ile - Lys - Lys - Cys - Cys - Glu - Gly - Ser - Cys - Gly - Met - Ala - Cys - Phe - Val - Pro - Gln - OH (Disufide bonds between Cys16 - Cys45, Cys23 - Cys49, Cys32 - Cys44, Cys38 - Cys53)
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