Lysozyme C (E9W6E) Rabbit mAb #67459

Lysozymes are secreted proteins that have bacteriolytic function which are critical for mammalian innate immune function. All lysozymes function to defend host animals from microbial infection by the hydrolysis of bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan (1). Conventional-type lysozymes (Lysozyme C) are one of three types of lysozymes; each family member is categorized based on amino acid sequence and biochemical properties. Lysozyme C is expressed in mammalian secretions like tears, urine, and milk but is also expressed by phagocytes such as macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Lysozyme C is encoded in humans by a single LYZ gene. The mouse orthologs of Lysozyme C are encoded by two genes, Lyz1 and Lyz2, which encode Lysozyme C-1 and Lysozyme C-2 (Lysozyme C-1/2). Interestingly, Lyz2 is upregulated in microglia of Alzheimer's disease mouse model brains that have been stimulated by specific forms of activity (2). Lyz1 and Lyz2 are uniquely expressed in microglia, and increased Lyz2 correlates with microglia-mediated β-amyloid (Aβ) clearance, suggesting that Lysozyme C-1/2 may directly contribute to microglial-clearance of Aβ or act as a marker for certain microglial activity states in the brain (3).