A 252 bp cDNA fragment that corresponds to defensin 2 (PsDef2) was amplified from a
cDNA library from seven-day plantlets of Pinus sylvestris L. This fragment encodes a protein
that consists of 83 amino acid residues. The protein contains an N-terminal signal peptide,
which includes 33 amino acid residues. A mature form of defensin 2 of Scotch pine contains
a gamma-thionine domain and it is also characterized by specific conservative residues that
are common to all plant defensins.

A full length coding sequence corresponding to Scotch pine defensin 2 (PsDef2) was
achieved by a PCR approach using P. sylvestris cDNA library as a template. It has the
potential to encode a protein of 83 amino acids in length. The first 33 amino acids
correspond to the N-terminal signal peptide. The mature protein contains domain gamma-
thionin and possesses conserved residues which are common to all plant defensins.