Antibacterial activity against M.luteus and E.coli bacteria. Antifungal activity against N.crassa and F.oxysporum. Presents chitin-binding activity. Cytoplasmic granules of hemocytes and to a lesser extent in small granules of hemocytes. Higher expression in hemocytes and to a lesser extent in heart, testis, gills, intestine, lymphoid organ and hepatopancreas. Traces in eyes and subcuticular epithelium. Not present in the brain. Expression decreases 3 hours after microbial challenge to return to control levels after 12 hours and slightly increases after 24 hours. Belongs to the penaeidin family.