T4 Lysozyme

Description:
Bacteriophage T4 Lysozyme breaks down bacterial cell walls. The enzyme attacks the peptidoglycans in the cell walls of bacteria and hydrolyzes the ß-1,4 linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetylglucosamine. Specific activity of T4 lysozyme is significantly greater than egg white lysozyme when assayed with Micrococcus lysodeikticus and E. coli.

Application:
- Bacterial lysis for nucleic acid extraction
- Bacterial lysis for recombinant protein extraction

Source:
A recombinant E. coli strain carrying the cloned bacteriophage T4 lysozyme gene.

Unit Definition:
One unit of T4 lysozyme produces a decrease in A₃₅₀ of 0.008 per second at 23°C with a 0.5 mg/ml suspension of lyophilized M. lysodeikticus in 0.02 M phosphate buffer (pH 6.7).

Recommended Storage Condition: -20°C

Reference:
Tsugita, A., and Inouye, M. Purification of Bacteriophage T4 Lysozyme. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 243, 391-397. (1968)