The Radiolysis of Dilute Solutions of Lysozyme

Summary

The inactivation of lysozyme in solution follows dose-response curves that are neither linear nor exponential. Oxygen has a small protective effect. Addition of cysteine reduces radiation inactivation substantially in anoxic conditions. A mechanism is derived and a quantitative estimate of the relative rate constants for the reactions of a lysozyme intermediate with cysteine and oxygen is given. This is in agreement with the conclusions reached in the pulse radiolysis investigation reported in part II.