LYSOZYME

General description

Muramidase, Mucopeptide N-acetylmuramoyl-hydrolase

Application

Lysozyme has been used for:

• Cell wall degradation
• Preparation of protoplasts
• Bacteriolysis
• Pharmacology (anti-inflammatory effect on mucous membrane; healing of tissue; protection against bleeding; normalization of mucus secretion; dissolution of pyrogens; potentiation of antibiotics)
• Food and drinks (flavor enhancer)
• Sample preparation prior to isolation of nucleic acids

Lysozyme has been used in the monitoring of transcription by real-time -PCR and sample preparation.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Lysozyme hydrolytically cleaves the bonds between N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid residues (GlcNAc β1-4Mur) in mucopolysaccharides and the glycan skeletons of the corresponding peptidoglycans (the latter are glycosaminoglycans linked to or crosslinked by peptide chains). Lysozyme effectively destroys the cell walls of bacteria.

Unit Definition

One Shugar unit is that quantity of enzyme in 1 ml of a suspension of Micrococcus luteus of pH 7.0 whose initial absorbance at a wavelength of 450 nm is 0.750 for a pathlength of 10 mm which causes the absorbance to decrease at the rate of 0.001 per minute, all measurements being carried out at a temperature of +25 °C.

Preparation Note

Working solution: Lysozyme hydrochloride is readily soluble in water and buffer solutions but insoluble in organic solvents.
Storage conditions (working solution): -15 to -25 °C
Aqueous solutions of the hydrochloride (2 mg/ml dist. water) can be stored for several days at 2 to 8° C or at -15 to -25° C for several weeks.

Reconstitution

Prepare a stock solution at a concentration of 50 mg/ml in dist. water. Dispense into aliquots and store at -15 to -25 °C. Discard each aliquot after use.

Storage and Stability

Store at 2 to 8 °C. (Store dry!)

Other Notes

For life science research only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.