Enzymes
Product List
CHI3L1 (22-383) Human
Chitinase 3-Like 1 (22-383 a.a) Human Recombinant
CHI3L1 Human
Chitinase 3-Like 1 Human Recombinant
CHI3L2 Human
Chitinase 3-Like 2 Recombinant
CHI3L2 Human, Sf9
Chitinase 3-Like 2 Human Recombinant, Sf9
Chitinase Protein
Chitinase Clostridium Paraputrificum Recombinant
The Chitinase is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.
Introduction
Chitinases are hydrolytic enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of chitin, a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, which is a component of the cell walls of fungi, the exoskeletons of arthropods, and the scales of fish . Chitinases are classified into two main types: endochitinases and exochitinases. Endochitinases randomly cleave chitin at internal sites, producing low molecular weight chitooligosaccharides, while exochitinases sequentially cleave off monomers or dimers from the ends of the chitin chains .
Chitinases exhibit a variety of biological properties, including antimicrobial, antifungal, and insecticidal activities . They are expressed in a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals . In plants, chitinases are often induced in response to pathogen attack and are part of the plant’s defense mechanism . In animals, chitinases are found in tissues such as the stomach and lungs, where they play roles in digestion and immune responses .
The primary biological functions of chitinases include the degradation of chitin for nutrient acquisition and defense against chitin-containing pathogens . In plants, chitinases contribute to the defense against fungal pathogens by degrading the chitin in fungal cell walls . In animals, chitinases are involved in immune responses, recognizing and breaking down chitin from pathogens . They also play roles in processes such as molting in arthropods and morphogenesis in fungi .
Chitinases act by hydrolyzing the β-1,4-glycosidic bonds in chitin, resulting in the production of chitooligosaccharides . They interact with other molecules and cells through binding partners and downstream signaling cascades . For example, in plants, chitinase activity can trigger signaling pathways that lead to the production of other defense-related proteins . In animals, chitinases can bind to chitin-containing pathogens, facilitating their recognition and destruction by the immune system .
The expression and activity of chitinases are regulated at multiple levels, including transcriptional regulation and post-translational modifications . In plants, chitinase genes are often upregulated in response to pathogen attack through signaling pathways involving salicylic acid and jasmonic acid . Post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation, can also affect the stability and activity of chitinases .
Chitinases have a wide range of applications in biomedical research, agriculture, and industry . In agriculture, chitinases are used as biocontrol agents to protect crops from fungal pathogens and insect pests . In biomedical research, chitinases are studied for their potential roles in diagnosing and treating diseases such as asthma and fungal infections . They are also used in the production of chitooligosaccharides, which have various health benefits, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties .
Throughout the life cycle of organisms, chitinases play crucial roles in development, aging, and disease . In fungi, chitinases are involved in cell wall remodeling during growth and morphogenesis . In arthropods, they are essential for molting and metamorphosis . In humans, chitinases are implicated in various diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where they are thought to contribute to inflammation and tissue remodeling .
