Human Chitotriosidase: Catalytic Domain or Carbohydrate Binding Module, Who's Leading HCHT's Biological Function.

ABSTRACT: Chitin is an important structural component of numerous fungal pathogens and parasitic nematodes. The human macrophage chitotriosidase (HCHT) is a chitinase that hydrolyses glycosidic bonds between the N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units of this biopolymer. HCHT belongs to the Glycoside Hydrolase (GH) superfamily and contains a well-characterized catalytic domain appended to a chitin-binding domain (ChBD_CHIT1). Although its precise biological function remains unclear, HCHT has been described to be involved in innate immunity. In this study, the molecular basis for interaction with insoluble chitin as well as with soluble chito-oligosaccharides has been determined. The results suggest a new mechanism as a common binding mode for many Carbohydrate Binding Modules (CBMs). Furthermore, usi

SUBMITTER: Crasson O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5459812 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature