Sequential metabolic expressions of the lethal process in human serum-treated Escherichia coli: role of lysozyme

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Abstract
Several metabolic parameters indicative of E. coli function and integrity were kinetically examined in response to treatment with normal human serum in the presence and absence of functional human lysozyme. Specific inhibition of this enzyme in bacteriolytic and bactericidal reactions was accomplished by using purified rabbit anti-human lysozyme immunoglobulin G. Initiation of the complement[C]-mediated alterations of cytoplasmic membrane integrity, as judged by the leakage of 86Rb from pre-labeled cells or the hydrolysis of o-nitrophenyl-.beta.-D-galactopyranoside by a cryptic strain, was independent of lysozyme action. Inhibition of macromolecular synthesis by E. coli in response to serum treatment occurred at the same time regardless of the functional state of lysozyme. Although the rate and extent of bacteriolysis were reduced in the absence of lysozyme, bactericidal kinetics was unaffected. The lethal events associated with the action of antibody and C on gram-negative bacteria are independent of lysozyme, suggesting an accessory role for this enzyme in immune reactions. A possible temporal sequence of C-induced effects occurring at the cell surface is presented.

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