Lysozyme, through its dual activities as a lytic enzyme and a small cationic protein, damages or kills bacteria by lysing their cell wall peptidoglycan, by disrupting bacterial membranes, and by activating autolytic enzymes in the bacterial cell wall.

What does lysozyme do to bacterial cells?

Lysozyme is a naturally occurring enzyme found in bodily secretions such as tears, saliva, and milk. It functions as an antimicrobial agent by cleaving the peptidoglycan component of bacterial cell walls, which leads to cell death.

How does lysozyme kill bacterial cells?

The canonical mechanism for bacterial killing by lysozyme occurs through the hydrolysis of cell wall peptidoglycan (PG). ... The degradation and lysis of bacteria by lysozyme enhance the release of bacterial products, including PG, that activate pattern recognition receptors in host cells.