lysozyme

American  

[lahy-suh-zahym] / ˈlaɪ səˌzaɪm /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme that is destructive of bacteria and functions as an antiseptic, found in tears, leukocytes, mucus, egg albumin, and certain plants.

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lysozyme British  

/ ˈlaɪsəˌzaɪm /

noun

1. an enzyme occurring in tears, certain body tissues, and egg white: destroys bacteria by hydrolysing polysaccharides in their cell walls

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Etymology

Origin of lysozyme

First recorded in 1920–25; lyso- + (en)zyme

Example Sentences

“The whole point about lysozyme is that it’s what got Fleming interested in penicillin,” he says.

From Scientific American • Apr. 27, 2021

Saliva contains immunoglobulin A, which prevents microbes from penetrating the epithelium, and lysozyme, which makes saliva antimicrobial.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Comparison of the structures of AR T4–lysozyme chimaera with that of the thermostabilized or antibody-bound ARs shows that fusion of the lysozyme distorts the cytoplasmic sides of TM5 and TM6.

From Nature • Feb. 13, 2013

James Murray, an animal scientist at the University of California–Davis has developed goats that make milk with diarrhea-preventing lysozyme, a bacteria-fighting protein that could save children’s lives.

From Slate • Dec. 19, 2012

The immune sacks of the bedbugs on the regular schedule began revving up lysozyme production on a weekly basis, a day or so before meals.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 22, 2011