The interaction between HBD-3 and PI(4,5)P2 suggests a mechanistic conservation among defensins of different species, Indeed, the targeting of membrane lipids by defensins may well be a universal function for this family of innate defense peptides in their activity against various pathogens and could also explain the long-standing question as to why many CAPs have anti-tumour cell activity. This evidence concerns the gene CAPS and neoplasm.