Lysozyme: Difference between revisions
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=== Uses of lysozyme === | === Uses of lysozyme === | ||
Lysozyme is very useful in molecular biology because of its ability to perform cell lysis which is an essential process in the extraction of [[ | Lysozyme is very useful in molecular biology because of its ability to perform cell lysis which is an essential process in the extraction of [[Recombinant_DNA_Technology|recombinant DNA.]]<ref>Invitra, (n.d). What is lysozyme?.http://www.invitria.com/products-and-services/lysozyme.html. 1/12/2011.</ref> | ||
It also protects against infection from viruses as well as prevent yeast or fungal invation of regions containing [[ | It also protects against infection from viruses as well as prevent yeast or fungal invation of regions containing [[Mucus|mucus]] <ref>Invitra, (n.d). What is lysozyme?.http://www.invitria.com/products-and-services/lysozyme.html. 1/12/2011.</ref>. <br> | ||
=== History === | === History === | ||
Revision as of 16:43, 29 November 2012
Lysozymes are enzymes which inhibit or destroy the growth of bacteria by breaking down the carbohydrate content of their cell walls. Therefore lysozyme can be said to be a part of the immune system. It is present in birds, mammals and insects [1]. According to Helal R, et al., lysozyme has other properties aside immunity; it acts against viruses, imflammation and cancer.
Uses of lysozyme
Lysozyme is very useful in molecular biology because of its ability to perform cell lysis which is an essential process in the extraction of recombinant DNA.[2]
It also protects against infection from viruses as well as prevent yeast or fungal invation of regions containing mucus [3].
History
Lysozyme was first discovered to be in chicken eggs in 1909 by Laschtschenko. In 1919 Bloomfield discovered that the enzyme is also present in saliva. Its structure was determined in 1965 by Blake et al. and in 1966, its functional pathway was explained [4].
Molecular Structure
Lysozyme of chicken comprises of one hundred and twenty eight amino acids. Amino acids of other bird species express a homology and only differ in 4 to 20 amino acids.This enzyme consists of an active site which divide it into two part which are joined by an alpha helix.One part is made up entirely of a beta sheet structure and the other part is made up of a helix [5][6].
References
- ↑ Worthington Biochemical Corporation, (2011). Lysozyme. http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html. 1/12/2011.
- ↑ Invitra, (n.d). What is lysozyme?.http://www.invitria.com/products-and-services/lysozyme.html. 1/12/2011.
- ↑ Invitra, (n.d). What is lysozyme?.http://www.invitria.com/products-and-services/lysozyme.html. 1/12/2011.
- ↑ Worthington Biochemical Corporation,(2011).Lysozyme.http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html. 1/12/2011.
- ↑ Worthington Biochemical Corporation,(2011). Lysozyme. http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html. 1/12/2011.
- ↑ Helal, R. Bader, D. Melzig, MF. 2012;67(6):564-6. Stimulation of lysosyme release by selected microbial preparations,Pubmed.