beta-defensins are small cationic peptides with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against a variety of enveloped viruses, fungi and bacteria. Produced in mucosal epithelia and neutrophils of several species, beta-defensins are developmentally regulated. The family of beta-defensin proteins share a common defensin-motif that is characterized by multiple cysteine residues and a highly conserved tertiary structure. Besides playing a significant role in host immune defense, many beta-defensins also are involved in sperm maturation and capacitation. beta-defensin 115 is an 88 amino acid secreted protein that most likely contains a signal peptide sequence that requires cleavage by proteolytic enzymes in order to become biologically active.