β-Defensins are antimicrobial peptides of key interest be cause they operate in both innate and adaptive immune responses in mammals (1). Now, these peptides have become more intriguing. On page 1418 of this issue, Candille et al. (2) identify a role for a β-defensin in pigmentation. The peptide, CBD 103, binds to melanocortin 1 receptor, one of a protein family that controls pigmentation, inflammation, and feeding behavior. This expands the functional repertoire of β-defensins and opens new avenues of research with potential implications for human disease (see the figure).
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