Identification of β-lysin as a zinc-dependent antibacterial protein in amniotic fluid

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Abstract
Summary The antibacterial role of β-lysin in amniotic fluids was studied by immunological and physical chemical means using groups of patients from higher and lower socioeconomic sectors of the population. The bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacilli was independent of the zinc ion concentration and did not differ between the two populations. The antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was found to be zinc dependent, differed markedly between the two groups, and could be removed by a divalent anion chelating agent, 1,10-phenanthroline. Activity could then be restored by the addition of zinc, but not by the addition of cobalt, magnesium, manganese or calcium ions. These data were confirmed by electron microscopy of the bacteria. The mean concentration of amniotic fluid zinc in the high socioeconomic patients was found to be almost four times higher than that observed in the low socioeconomic patients' fluids.

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