Lysosyme: Difference between revisions
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Lysozyme is an enzyme with antibacterial properties. |
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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 Biochemical Corporation, (2011). Lysozyme. http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html. 1/12/2011.</ref> | 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 Biochemical Corporation, (2011). Lysozyme. http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html. 1/12/2011.</ref> | ||
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 [[Recombinant DNA|recombinant DNA.]]<ref>Invitra, (n.d). What is lysozyme?.http://www.invitria.com/products-and-services/lysozyme.html. 1/12/2011.</ref> | 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. 1/12/2011.</ref> | ||
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=== Molecular Structure === | === 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|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 Biochemical Corporation,(2011). Lysozyme. http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html. 1/12/2011.</ref> | 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 Biochemical Corporation,(2011). Lysozyme. http://www.worthington-biochem.com/ly/default.html. 1/12/2011.</ref> | ||
=== References === | === References === | ||
<references /><br> | <references /><br> | ||
Revision as of 20:51, 1 December 2011
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]
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]
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.