How does lysozyme defend the body?

How does lysozyme defend the body?

Lysozyme is a naturally occurring enzyme found in bodily secretions such as tears, saliva, and milk. It functions as an antimicrobial by enzymatically cleaving a glycosidic linkage of bacterial cell walls peptidoglycan, which leads to cell death [4].

What does lysozyme break down?

Lysozyme, enzyme found in the secretions (tears) of the lacrimal glands of animals and in nasal mucus, gastric secretions, and egg white. Discovered in 1921 by Sir Alexander Fleming, lysozyme catalyzes the breakdown of certain carbohydrates found in the cell walls of certain bacteria (e.g., cocci).

Does lysozyme kill viruses?

Lysozyme also inhibits viruses, parasites, and fungi. There are two types of lysozymes: those found in hen egg whites (hen egg whites lysozyme; HEWL), also known as chick-type (c) lysozyme; and those found in Embden goose egg whites, or goose-type (g) lysozyme.

What bacteria does lysozyme kill?

Lysozyme is more effective against gram-positive bacteria than gram-negative bacteria because gram-positive bacteria contain far more peptidoglycans in their cell wall. Despite this limited action, lysozyme is a valuable part of the immune system.

Why is lysozyme found in tears?

Lysozyme is a special enzyme found in tears, saliva, sweat, and other body fluids. Other mucosal linings, such as the nasal cavity, also contain lysozyme. It destroys bacteria that attempt to enter our body through these passageways. In the case of tears, they protect our eyes from bacterial invaders.

Does sweat contain lysozyme?

Lysozyme is a naturally occurring enzyme which is found in body secretions such as tears, saliva, sweat (perspiration), milk and mucus.

Why is lysozyme in egg white?

Lysozyme is traditionally associated with eggs, especially chicken eggs. Egg white contains 11% protein, and 3.5% of the egg white protein is lysozyme. Therefore, this enzyme is among the major proteins in egg white where it serves to protect and nourish the developing embryo (Abeyrathne et al., 2013).

Why does egg white have antibacterial property?

Antibacterial properties of egg white are due to its physicochemical characteristics and to the presence of numerous antimicrobial proteins. Egg white contains a large number of potential antibacterial proteins (Réhault-Godbert et al., 2011), including the well-known lysozyme and ovotransferrin.

What foods contain lysozyme?

Lysozyme has been used to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables, tofu bean curd, seafoods, meats and sausages, potato salad, cooked burdock with soy sauce, and varieties of semihard cheeses such as Edam, Gouda, and some Italian cheeses.

What gland makes tears?

The tear glands (lacrimal glands), located above each eyeball, continuously supply tear fluid that’s wiped across the surface of your eye each time you blink your eyelids. Excess fluid drains through the tear ducts into the nose.

Is lysozyme a protein?

Lysozyme is a compact protein of 129 amino acids which folds into a compact globular structure. Note as the protein rotates that there is a rather deep cleft in the protein surface into which six carbohydrates can bind.