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Cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAPs) are innate defense molecules produced by essentially all living species and represent a rich source of novel therapeutic molecules for the treatment of human diseases including cancer.Although several CAPs (mainly from amphibians and vertebrates) have been shown to exhibit direct toxicity against tumor cells, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood.Nicotiana alata (omamental tobacco) defensin 1, NaD1, is a Class Ⅱ solanaceous plant defensin in the CAP family that exhibits antifungal activities.We have identified NaD1 as a potent molecule in killing mammalian tumour cells.Microscopy analyses have revealed that NaD1 induces cytolysis of tumor cells via the formation of large plasma membrane blebs.