LYSINS Meaning and
Definition
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Lysins, also known as endolysins or phage lysins, are a class of enzymes that exhibit potent antimicrobial properties. They are produced by bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) and are responsible for the lysis or disintegration of bacterial cell walls, leading to the release of newly replicated viral particles. These enzymes play a crucial role in the natural life cycle of bacteriophages, as they allow the phage to escape from the host bacterium and infect a new target.
Lysins are typically made up of two distinct domains: an enzymatically active domain and a cell wall-binding domain. The enzymatic domain may possess various activities, including muramidase (breaks the bond between the sugar molecules in the bacterial cell wall), transglycosylase (modifies the sugar chains), or amidase (breaks down the peptide cross-links). The cell wall-binding domain recognizes and binds to specific receptors or molecules on the bacterial cell wall, facilitating the proper localization and action of the enzymatic domain.
Due to their ability to specifically target and destroy bacterial cells, lysins have gained considerable attention as potential alternatives to antibiotics in combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. These enzymes have been shown to be effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
Research is currently underway to further explore the therapeutic potential of lysins in medical and clinical applications. It is hoped that these enzymes could offer a promising avenue for the development of novel treatments against bacterial infections, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Common Misspellings for LYSINS
