Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
10:26
Elucidating β-1,3-Glucanase and Peroxidase Physicochemical Properties of Wheat Cell Wall Defense Mechanism Against Diuraphis noxia Infestation
Published on: July 26, 2024
A cold-active salmon goose-type lysozyme with high heat tolerance
P Kyomuhendo1, B Myrnes, I W Nilsen
1Marine Biotechnology and Fish Health, Norwegian Institute of Fisheries & Aquaculture, P.O. Box 6122, N-9291 Tromsø, Norway.
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|October 6, 2007
Summary
Atlantic salmon lysozyme, a goose-type enzyme, exhibits unique thermal stability and cation-stimulated lytic activity. This protein refolds rapidly after heat exposure, despite lacking disulfide bonds for stabilization.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Enzymology
Background:
- The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) lysozyme gene exhibits alternative splicing in exon 2, impacting the signal peptide.
- Lysozymes are crucial enzymes involved in bacterial cell wall degradation.
- Understanding the properties of fish lysozymes can provide insights into innate immunity and enzyme engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize the Atlantic salmon goose-type lysozyme.
- To investigate the enzymatic activity and thermal stability of the recombinant salmon lysozyme.
- To explore the influence of cations on lysozyme activity.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of the Atlantic salmon goose-type lysozyme gene.
- Production of recombinant lysozyme in Escherichia coli.
- Assay of lytic activity under varying temperatures and cation concentrations.
- Thermal stability assessment through prolonged heating.
Main Results:
- Recombinant salmon lysozyme demonstrated high specific lytic activity.
- Enzyme activity was stimulated by low to moderate concentrations of mono- and divalent cations.
- Optimal activity was observed at 22 degrees C, with significant retention (30%) after heating at 90 degrees C for 3 hours.
- The enzyme showed no detectable activity at 60 degrees C but retained activity after high-temperature exposure.
Conclusions:
- Atlantic salmon goose-type lysozyme possesses unique thermal properties, including rapid refolding after heat inactivation, despite lacking cysteine residues.
- The cation-stimulated activity suggests a role in diverse environmental conditions.
- These findings offer potential for protein engineering and understanding fish immune responses.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Diversity of Archaea IV
Hyperthermophilic archaea are a group of extremophiles thriving at temperatures above 80°C, often in hydrothermal vents and volcanic soils where conditions surpass the boiling point of water. At such temperatures, proteins, membranes, and DNA in most organisms degrade, but hyperthermophiles have evolved remarkable adaptations to maintain stability and function.Unique Cellular FeaturesHyperthermophilic membranes are composed of a monolayer of biphytanyl tetraether lipids, which resist thermal...
01:27Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature
Microorganisms display remarkable adaptations, enabling them to thrive in diverse ecological niches across a wide range of temperatures. Temperature profoundly influences microbial growth by affecting enzymatic activity, membrane fluidity, and other cellular processes.Each microorganism operates within a specific temperature range defined by three cardinal points: minimum, optimum, and maximum. Below the minimum temperature, membranes lose fluidity, halting transport processes. Above the...
01:21Hyperthermophilic Bacteria
Domain Bacteria includes some unique hyperthermophilic species. They exhibit remarkable adaptations that enable survival in extreme environments.Thermotoga species are rod-shaped, gram-negative, non-sporulating hyperthermophiles that form a sheath-like envelope called a toga. They ferment sugars or starch, producing lactate, acetate, CO₂, and H₂, and can also grow via anaerobic respiration using H₂ and ferric iron. Found in hot springs and hydrothermal vents, over 20% of their genes show strong...
01:27Diversity of Archaea III
Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like environments.Morphological...
01:29Microbes in Food Production
Microbial fermentation is central to food biotechnology, enhancing flavor, texture, preservation, and stability. Fermentative microorganisms metabolize carbohydrates into organic acids, alcohols, and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and improve digestibility while contributing distinctive sensory qualities.In baking, amylases naturally present in flour hydrolyze starch into monosaccharides such as glucose, which Saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments anaerobically. Through...