Table 2.

Correlation between structural elements of human α-defensins and their antibacterial and antitoxin activities

Structural elements of α- defensins*	Direct antibacterial Activity		Toxin inhibition
	Gram-(−)	Gram-(+)
Disulfide bonds	−**	+++	+++
Hydrophobicity	+++	+++	+++
Dimerization	−	++	++
Cationicity	+++	+++	++
High Arg content	++	+++	+++
Stereo-specificity	−	+++	+
Conserved salt bridge	−	−	−

^*The structure-function correlations presented in the table are i) a cumulative imprint from numerous, occasionally contradictory studies, ii) often representative of a complex sum of different, only partially understood mechanisms, and iii) not easily quantifiable, and therefore, are likely to need adjustments as more data and clearer understanding of the involved mechanisms emerge.

^**Relative roles of structural features on functional properties of defensins are expressed from being unimportant (−), i.e. demonstrating no influence upon removal, to mild (+), moderate (++) and essential (+++).