Work

Molecular cloning and characterization of chitinase genes from Candida albicans.

Year: 1995

Type: article

Abstract: Chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) is an important enzyme for the remodeling of chitin in the cell wall of fungi. We have cloned three chitinase genes (CHT1, CHT2, and CHT3) from the dimorphic human pathogen Candida albicans. CHT2 and CHT3 have been sequenced in full and their primary structures have been analyzed: CHT2 encodes a protein of 583 aa with a predicted size of 60.8 kDa; CHT3 encodes a protein of 567 aa with a predicted size of 60 kDa. All three genes show striking similarity to other chitinase genes in the literature, especially in the proposed catalytic domain. Transcription of CHT2 and CHT3 was greater when C. albicans was grown in a yeast phase as compared to a mycelial phase. A transcript of CHT1 could not be detected in either growth condition.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.92.7.2544

Authors: K J McCreath, C A Specht, P W Robbins

Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Studies on Chitinases and Chitosanases

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Cancer Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Awards: G4774430914, G5690567651, Cancer Center Support (Core) Grant