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| Lysozymes are [[Enzymes|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<ref>Worthington Biomedical Corporation, (2011). Lysozyme. http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html.(last veiwed, 1/12/2011).</ref>
| | See [[Lysozyme|Lysozyme]] |
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| === Uses of lysozyme ===
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| 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|recombinant DNA.]]<ref>Invitra, (n.d). What is lysozyme?.http://www.invitria.com/products-and-services/lysozyme.html. (last veiwed, 1/12/2011).</ref>
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| It also protects against infection from viruses as well as prevent yeast or fungal invation of regions containing mucus. <ref>Invitro,(n.d). what is lysozyme? http://www.invitria.com/products-and-services/lysozyme.html. (last viewed, 1/12/2011).</ref>
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| === History ===
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| 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|saliva]]. Its structure was determined in 1965 by Blake et.al and in 1966,its functional pathway was explained.<ref>Worthington Biochemical Corporation,(2011).Lysozyme.http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html.(last viewed, 1/12/2011).</ref> | |
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| === Molecular Structure ===
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| 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|alpha helix]].One part is made up entirely of a beta sheet structure and the other part is made up of a helix.<ref>Worthington Biomedical Corporation,(2011). Lysozyme. http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html. (last viewed, 1/12/2011).</ref> | |
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| === References ===
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| Invitria,(n.d), What is lysozyme?. http://www.invitria.com/products-and-services/lysozyme.html. (last viewed,1/12/2011).
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| Worthington Biochemical Corporation,(2011). Lysozyme. http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html. (last viewed, 1/12/2011).
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