Abstract
The effect of bile acids on the bacteriolytic activity of lysozyme towards Micrococcus lysodeikticus was studied in vitro. All bile acids tested inhibited lysozyme activity. Conjugated bile acids were better inhibitors than their unconjugated homologs and sulfation resulted in still stronger inhibition. A study of UV-difference spectra of bile acid-lysozyme mixtures suggests that bile acids distort the tertiary structure of the enzyme. The inhibition-concentration curves of micelle-forming bile acids were bell-shaped, and peak inhibition was apparently related to the critical micellar concentration. The inhibition-concentration curves of sulfated bile acids, which do not form micelles, are characterized by a plateau of maximal inhibition. A mechanism of lysozyme activation by bile acid micelles is proposed. Our results illustrate the complex interactions between antibacterial compounds in the gut. As bile acids are known to inhibit lipase activity as well, these studies suggest that bile acids may have an important influence on intestinal enzyme activity in general.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
