Chitinase
Definition:
EC Tree > 3 Hydrolases > 3.2 Glycosylases > 3.2.1 Glycosidases, i.e. enzymes that hydrolyse O- and S-glycosyl compounds > 3.2.1.14 chitinase
Chitinase is a chitin-degrading glycoside hydrolase that binds chitin and randomly cleaves the N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide (1->4)-beta-linkages in chitin and chitodextrins in a non-processive mode, generating chitooligosaccharides and free ends on which exo-chitinases and exo-chitodextrinases act; activity is greatly stimulated by lytic chitin monooxygenase (EC 1.14.99.53), which attacks the crystalline structure of chitin and makes the polymer more accessible (cf. endo-chitodextrinase EC 3.2.1.202). By digesting fungal cell walls and arthropod exuviae it is a major antifungal and chitin-recycling enzyme in plants, insects and microbes. It appears in viruses and cellular organisms.
Chitinase is a chitin-degrading glycoside hydrolase that binds chitin and randomly cleaves the N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide (1->4)-beta-linkages in chitin and chitodextrins in a non-processive mode, generating chitooligosaccharides and free ends on which exo-chitinases and exo-chitodextrinases act; activity is greatly stimulated by lytic chitin monooxygenase (EC 1.14.99.53), which attacks the crystalline structure of chitin and makes the polymer more accessible (cf. endo-chitodextrinase EC 3.2.1.202). By digesting fungal cell walls and arthropod exuviae it is a major antifungal and chitin-recycling enzyme in plants, insects and microbes. It appears in viruses and cellular organisms.
References:
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