Lysozyme Inhibitors as Tools for Lysozyme Profiling: Identification and Antibacterial Function of Lysozymes in the Hemolymph of the Blue Mussel.

Lysozymes are universal components of the innate immune system of animals that kill bacteria by hydrolyzing their main cell wall polymer, peptidoglycan. Three main families of lysozyme have been identified, designated as chicken (c)-, goose (g)- and invertebrate (i)-type. In response, bacteria have evolved specific protein inhibitors against each of the three lysozyme families.

Enzyme characterisation and gene expression profiling of Atlantic salmon chicken- and goose-type lysozymes.

Lysozymes represent important innate immune components against bacteria. In this study, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) goose (g-) and chicken (c-) types of lysozyme were subjected to protein characterisations and tissue expression analyses. Specific bacterial protein inhibitors of g- and c-type lysozymes were employed to discriminate between respective enzyme activities.

Structural basis of bacterial defense against g-type lysozyme-based innate immunity.

Gram-negative bacteria can produce specific proteinaceous inhibitors to defend themselves against the lytic action of host lysozymes. So far, four different lysozyme inhibitor families have been identified. Here, we report the crystal structure of the Escherichia coli periplasmic lysozyme inhibitor of g-type lysozyme (PliG-Ec) in complex with Atlantic salmon g-type lysozyme (SalG) at a resolution of 0.

Role of lysozyme inhibitors in the virulence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Lysozymes are key effectors of the animal innate immunity system that kill bacteria by hydrolyzing peptidoglycan, their major cell wall constituent. Recently, specific inhibitors of the three major lysozyme families occuring in the animal kingdom (c-, g- and i-type) have been discovered in Gram-negative bacteria, and it has been proposed that these may help bacteria to evade lysozyme mediated lysis during interaction with an animal host. Escherichia coli produces two inhibitors that are specific for c-type lysozyme (Ivy, Inhibitor of vertebrate lysozyme; MliC, membrane bound lysozyme inhibitor of c-type lysozyme), and one specific for g-type lysozyme (PliG, periplasmic lysozyme inhibitor of g-type lysozyme).

Guards of the great wall: bacterial lysozyme inhibitors.

Peptidoglycan is the major structural component of the bacterial cell wall. It provides resistance against turgor and its cleavage by hydrolases such as lysozymes results in bacteriolysis. Most, if not all, animals produce lysozymes as key effectors of their innate immune system.