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Lysozyme
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lysozyme A simplified diagram of the lysozyme protein from hen's egg white, showing a single blue peptide chain with numbered red dots marking amino acid residues from the N-terminal (1) to the C-terminal (129).
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Key People:
Alexander Fleming
Related Topics:
Enzyme
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lysozyme
lysozyme Tetragonal protein crystal of lysozyme.

Lysozyme

enzyme
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•History

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). It thus functions, in the case of lacrimal fluid, to protect the cornea of the eye from infection.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.