Lysozyme

Lysozyme, also called muramidase, is a glycoside hydrolase enzyme that occurs naturally in humans and animals. It plays a role in the innate immune system as an antimicrobial agent and can be found in secretions such as saliva, milk, and tears. Lysozyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in peptidoglycan, the major cell wall component of Gram-positive bacteria. Lysozymes are used in the laboratory to lyse Gram-positive bacteria, release proteins from organelles, study immune reactions and free contents of bacterial periplasm. In medicine, high levels of lysozyme in the blood can be caused by certain cancers and may lead to kidney failure and low potassium. Visit the supplier page for more enzyme information.