biostudies-literatureUnknown13Gama MDVFConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorFundação Oswaldo CruzFundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de JaneiroChitinases are enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of glycosidic linkages within chitin chains. In insects, chitinases are typically members of the multigenic glycoside hydrolase family 18 (GH18). They participate in the relocation of chitin during development and molt, and in digestion in detritivores and predatory insects, and they control the peritrophic membrane thickness. Chitin metabolism is a promising target for developing vector control strategies, and knowledge of the roles of chitinases may reveal new targets and illuminate unique aspects of their physiology and interaction with microorganisms. <i>Rhodnius prolixus</i> is an important vector of Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>. In this study, we performed annotation and structural charaFrontiers in physiology861620https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9574080biostudies-literatureStructure and expression of <i>Rhodnius prolixus</i> GH18 chitinases and chitinase-like proteins: Characterization of the physiological role of <i>RpCht7</i>, a gene from subgroup VIII, in vector fitness and reproduction.PMC9574080Mesquita RDGenta FAGomes BAzambuja PSeabra-Junior EGama MDVFDiaz-Albiter HMMoraes CSGarcia ESfalseStructure and expression of <i>Rhodnius prolixus</i> GH18 chitinases and chitinase-like proteins: Characterization of the physiological role of <i>RpCht7</i>, a gene from subgroup VIII, in vector fitness and reproduction.Chitinases are enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of glycosidic linkages within chitin chains. In insects, chitinases are typically members of the multigenic glycoside hydrolase family 18 (GH18). They participate in the relocation of chitin during development and molt, and in digestion in detritivores and predatory insects, and they control the peritrophic membrane thickness. Chitin metabolism is a promising target for developing vector control strategies, and knowledge of the roles of chitinases may reveal new targets and illuminate unique aspects of their physiology and interaction with microorganisms. <i>Rhodnius prolixus</i> is an important vector of Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i>. In this study, we performed annotation and structural chara2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222026-04-08T12:02:42.838Z2024-12-03T19:52:59.609ZS-EPMC95740803626225110.3389/fphys.2022.861620