| Function |
Catalyzes the oxidative deamination of positively charged L-amino acids L-Lys and L-Arg and, much less efficiently, of amino acids L-His and L-Tyr. Has antimicrobial activity. Inhibits growth of Gram-negative bacteria E.coli strain MC4100 (MIC=0.62 ug/ml), E.coli strain C921-b2, S.typhimurium strain AA 140 (MIC=0.62 ug/ml), P.aeruginosa strain PAO1 (MIC=0.31 ug/ml) and V.harveyi strain BB170 (MIC=0.25 ug/ml). Inhibits growth of Gram-positive bacteria S.aureus stain 6835 (MIC=0.31 ug/ml), S.pyogenes strain NZ131 (MIC=0.62 ug/ml), B.subtilis strain 168 (MIC=2.50 ug/ml) and B.subtilis strain WB600 (MIC=2.50 ug/ml). The antibacterial effect can be bacteriostatic, mediated mostly by H(2)O(2), as well as bactericidal. The latter appears to be due to unstable intermediates generated from alpha-keto-epsilon- aminocaproic acid, an intermediate of escapin-deaminated L-Lys, and H(2)O(2). The bactericidal effect is stronger at lower pH levels. Intermediates generated from L-Arg have no bactericidal effect. Inhibits growth of yeast species S.cerevisiae strain BY4761 (MIC=5.0 ug/ml) and C.krusei (MIC=5.0 ug/ml). Inhibits growth of C.sphaerospermum in a lysine-dependent manner. As components of ink, products from escapin's enzymatic activity may play a role in deterring eukaryotic predators.
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