Molecular directionality in crystalline beta-chitin: hydrolysis by chitinases A and B from Serratia marcescens 2170.

ABSTRACT: Beta-chitin microfibrils were treated with ChiA and ChiB (chitinases A and B respectively) from Serratia marcescens 2170. The beta-chitin microfibrils were shortened, and the tips appeared narrowed and sharpened at both ends, after either consecutive or simultaneous degradation by ChiA and ChiB. Increased production of reducing sugars by simultaneous degradation (by ChiA and ChiB) of beta-chitin, but not of glycol chitin, suggests synergistic interactions between the two enzymes. A combined analysis using the tilt microdiffraction method to determine the crystallographic axes, together with the biotin-streptavidin-gold-labelling method specific to the reducing ends, was used to investigate the polarity of the degraded beta-chitin microcrystals. The digestion of the beta-chitin fibrils by C

SUBMITTER: Hult EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1183465 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature