Question

Lactose and methyl cellulose do not inhibit lysozyme, why not?

Answer 1

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.

Lysozyme has an unique capability of breaking the chemical bonds of the cell wall of many bacteria. Basically, the peptodo glycan present inside the cell wall of bacteria is the specific site where this enzyme targets. The peptidoglycan layer contains alternating molecules called N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid. These molecules form a strong glycan chain that act as the backbone for the cell wall. The link between the N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid is cleaved by lysozyme. Once this chain is broken by lysozyme, it results in bacterial death.

Although with such good benefits it does causes some harmful side effects when taken in excess. It's inhibition is equally important. But there are some specifications.

A series of inorganic and organic compounds was tested in order to determine their effect on the lytic properties of lysozyme.

Under the experimental conditions presented, the following materials were active inhibitors of lysozyme: sodium alkyl sulfates, decyl benzene sodium sulfonate, N (acylcolaminoformylmethyl pyridinium) chloride, a synthetic zeolite, an activated carbon, and a hydrated aluminum silicate (Benotonite).

From the pH profile of the extent of inhibition it is deduced that the enzyme is inhibited mainly by the protonated imidazole ring. Inhibition of lysozyme by imidazole or by the imidazole derivatives investigated was accompanied by a decrease in fluorescence intensity of the enzyme. Lysozyme activity could also be inhibited by 3-indole derivatives such as 3-indole propionic acid and tryptamine.

Since, methyl cellulose which is very commonly used in the treatment of constipation and lactose is quite itself very useful does not contain imidazole in their chemical structure and cannot carry that much capacity to possess the inhibitory process of lysozyme, they are unable to do so.