Lysozymes have primarily a bacteriolytic function; those in tissues and body fluids are associated with the monocyte-macrophage system and enhance the activity of immunoagents. Hydrolysis of (1->4)-beta-linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in a peptidoglycan and between N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in chitodextrins. Monomer. Stomach-specific. Lysozyme C is capable of both hydrolysis and transglycosylation; it shows also a slight esterase activity. It acts rapidly on both peptide-substituted and unsubstituted peptidoglycan, and slowly on chitin oligosaccharides. The ruminant gastric lysozymes, which digest symbiotic bacteria coming with cud from the rumen, are much more resistant to inactivation by pepsin than are other lysozymes. Belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 22 family.