In: Biology
Lysozyme is an enzyme produced by humans that also targets peptidoglycan. Does it have the same mechanism of action as the penicillins and cephalosporins? Explain.
Bacterial cell wall :-
• Bacterial cell wall is formed by peptidoglycan.
• Peptodoglycan is a polymer which contains sugar and amino
acids.
• The components of peptidoglycan are N-acetylglucosamine (NAG),
N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) and pentapeptides.
• Peptidoglycan is formed by cross-linking of chains of
peptidoglycan monomers (NAG-NAM-pentapeptide).
Lysozyme :-
• This enzyme cuts the bonds between the NAG and NAM of the
Peptidoglycan and damage the cell wall. This allows the bacterial
cell to burst by excess fluid intake.
Penicillin and cephalosporin :-
• These antibiotics have same mechanism of action.
• These antibiotics interferes with the synthesis of peptidoglycan
by preventing the cross-linking of monomers and inhibits bacterial
growth.
Now,
Lysozyme vs penicillin and cephalosporin -
• Both acts on bacterial cell wall, but both have different
mechanisms of action.
• Lysozyme acts by destroying the already formed cell wall whereas
these antibiotics acts by inhibiting the formation of cell
wall.