Defensin like peptide from Panulirus argus relates structurally with beta defensin from vertebrates

► β-defensin like peptides were cloned and sequenced from the spiny lobster Panulirus argus. ► The occurrence of defensin like peptide in lobster is confirmed. ► Tertiary structures of the peptides were built via homology-modeling. ► Sequence characteristics and 3D structure typical of β-defensins from vertebrates were found in the lobster peptides. ► The finding of a new family of β-defensin like peptide in arthropods is suggested.