Thus, chrisofsin-1 exhibits potent destructive action against lipid components of microorganism cell membranes, such as S. mutans, S. sanguinis, S. sobrinus, S. gordonii, Actinomyces sp., and Lactobacillus sp. and, thus, it is able to induce disintegration and bacterial lysis.
According to Beck et al. (1997) the difference between the two methods is largest when soils contain a disproportionately large component of microorganisms using glucose as an energy source, suggesting a shift in microbial community structure in the high-P soils.
ASCAs are directed primarily against mannan cell-wall components of different microorganisms [34] and occurred frequently in some diseases associated with chronic bacterial translocation (e.g. Crohn's disease, celiac disease) [16], [17], [18], [19], [20].
Based on their cationic character, defensins are thought to interact with negatively charged plasma membrane components of sensitive microorganisms.
Studies both in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated inflammatory and immunosuppressive responses to the spores, metabolites, and components of specific microorganisms found in damp buildings [ 2, 3].
Enzymes, such as peptidases and lysozyme, are particularly crucial because of their ability to hydrolyze protein components of invading microorganisms [ 19- 21].
Epidemiological and molecular evidence points towards molecular mimicry between some components of these microorganisms and specific amino-acid sequences that are present in proteins on normal cells of the biliary tract.
Originally immunologists thought that the complement system was initiated only by antigen-antibody complexes, but later evidence showed that other substances, such as the surface components of a microorganism alone, could trigger complement activation.
