Lysozyme is an enzyme capable of breaking down the bacterial cell wall, and is typically used to enhance protein extractions or nucleic acid extractions. It works by hydrolyzing the 1,4-β-linkages located between the N-acetylmuramic acid and the N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in peptidoglycan.
Gram-positive cells have an increased susceptibility to the actions of lysozyme since gram-positive cells have a higher quantity of peptidoglycan in the cell wall. Gram-negative cells are less vulnerable, but can still be hydrolyzed in the presence of EDTA.
Unit Definition: 1 FIP unit of lysozyme is the amount of Enzyme that hydrolyzes under the standard conditions 1 mmole of a Micrococcus lysodeikticus per minute.