chitin catabolic process

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of chitin, a linear polysaccharide consisting of beta-(1->4)-linked N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues. [GOC:jl, ISBN:0198506732]

Chitin catabolic process involves the breakdown of chitin, a complex polysaccharide that forms the structural component of the exoskeletons of arthropods, the cell walls of fungi, and the beaks and radulae of cephalopods. The process begins with the hydrolysis of the β-1,4-glycosidic linkages between N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) monomers in the chitin polymer. This hydrolysis is catalyzed by a group of enzymes known as chitinases, which can be found in various organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. Chitinases exhibit a wide range of specificities and are classified into families based on their structural and functional characteristics. After the initial breakdown by chitinases, the resulting oligosaccharides can be further degraded by other enzymes, such as chitobiase, which hydrolyzes chitobiose (GlcNAc dimer), and β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, which cleaves GlcNAc from the non-reducing end of oligosaccharides. The final products of chitin catabolism are GlcNAc monomers, which can be further metabolized by the organism to generate energy or used as building blocks for other biomolecules. Chitin catabolism plays an important role in various biological processes, including nutrient acquisition, immune defense, and pathogenicity. For instance, chitinases produced by fungi and bacteria are involved in the degradation of chitinous substrates, enabling them to utilize chitin as a source of carbon and nitrogen. In animals, chitinases are involved in the digestion of chitinous food sources and the removal of chitinous debris. Moreover, chitin catabolism is essential for the immune system to recognize and destroy pathogens that contain chitin, such as fungi and parasites.'
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Proteins (2)

Compounds (9)