Functional characterization of two defensins, HlDFS1 and HlDFS2, from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis.

HlDFS1 and HlDFS2 are two novel functional defensins from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis. They showed bactericidal activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and significantly protect mice against lethal bacterial infection. Thus, HlDFS1 and HlDFS2 can be introduced to the medical field as new drug candidates with antibacterial activity.