Isolation, molecular cloning and antimicrobial activity of novel defensins from common chickweed (Stellaria media L.) seeds

► Two highly homologous defensins from common chickweed were isolated and sequenced. ► Defensins exhibit strong antifungal activity against important plant pathogens. ► Three defensin-encoding genes were identified, two of which are expressed in seeds. ► Defensins precursors consist of a signal peptide and a mature peptide domains. ► The genomic DNA sequences contain an intron in the signal peptide region.