| theta-defensin pseudogenes in hiv-1-exposed, persistently seronegative female sex-workers from thailand. | the leukocytes of rhesus monkeys contain cyclic octadecapeptides (theta;-defensins) that can protect cells from infection by hiv-1 in vitro. although humans express mrna from one or more theta;-defensin pseudogenes, these transcripts contain a premature stop codon that prevents formation of theta;-defensin peptides. we hypothesized that some highly exposed persistently seronegative (heps) individuals might have intact theta;-defensin (deft) genes and produce functional theta;-defensins that migh ... | 2005 | 15567134 |