Chitinase

Chitinase is a general term for a family of hydrolytic enzymes (EC 3.2.1.14) that catalyze the degradation of chitin, a major structural polysaccharide composed of β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine units and found in the exoskeletons of arthropods, cell walls of fungi, and structures of some algae. Chitinases occur in a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, insects, and mammals. The main molecular families are glycosyl hydrolase family 18 (GH18) and family 19 (GH19), which differ in both sequence and structure. In mammals, functional chitinases include chitotriosidase (CHIT1) and acid mammalian chitinase (AMCase), both of which play roles in innate immunity, particularly defense against chitin-containing pathogens and in modulating inflammation. Human chitotriosidase levels are used as a biomarker for Gaucher disease. Chitinases are under investigation as therapeutic targets for asthma, fibrosis, parasitic infection, and other diseases, with some small-molecule inhibitors in preclinical or early clinical evaluation.

Other names

chitodextrinase1,4-β-poly-N-acetylglucosaminidasepoly-β-glucosaminidaseβ-1,4-poly-N-acetyl glucosamidinasepoly[1,4-(N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminide)] glycanohydrolase(1→4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucan glycanohydrolase(EC 3.2.1.14)CHIT1 (for human chitotriosidase 1)AMCase (for acid mammalian chitinase)

Competitive inhibition of catalytic site (e.g., allosamidin binds conserved catalytic residues); Blockade of chitinase-induced inflammation; Potential modulation of immune response via chitinase inhibition.