Comparative study on characteristics of lysozymes from the hemolymph of three lepidopteran larvae, Galleria mellonella, Bombyx mori, Agrius convolvuli.
Lysozymes were purified from the hemolymph of three immunized Lepidopteran larvae, Galleria mellonella, Bombyx mori, Agrius convolvuli to compare their physico-chemical properties and antibacterial activities with those of chicken lysozyme. Four lysozymes including the one from chicken had similar molecular masses and chromatographic behavior on reverse phase-high pressure liquid chromatography. Western blotting analysis using an antibody raised against G. mellonella revealed that lysozyme cross-reacted with two other insect lysozymes but not with commercial chicken lysozyme. Antibacterial activities of lysozymes were measured in two types of tests: radial diffusion assay and colony count assay. Our antibacterial tests revealed that all lysozymes have strong activities against Gram-positive bacteria and three insect lysozymes still retain a little potency against Gram-negative bacteria, while chicken lysozyme has no activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Taken together, we conclude three Lepidopteran lysozymes have a common distinct structure and have an antibacterial activity, which is absent in chicken lysozyme, against Gram-negative bacteria.
Department of Life Science, Hoseo University, 29-1 Sechuli, Baebang-Myun, Asan City Choongnam-Do 336-795, South Korea.
Kyung Hyun
KH
Yu
Kyu Nam
KN
Kim
Joon Ha
JH
Lee
Heui Sam
HS
Lee
Sang Hyun
SH
Kim
Kyung Yeon
KY
Cho
Myung Hee
MH
Nam
In Hee
IH
Lee
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D012831:Bombyx / Q000201:enzymology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000201:enzymology*; D007814:Larva / Q000201:enzymology; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000201:enzymology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009113:Muramidase / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology
D009113:Muramidase