Target type: molecularfunction
Binding to chitin, a linear polysaccharide consisting of beta-(1->4)-linked N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues. [GOC:jl, ISBN:0198506732]
Chitin binding is a molecular function that involves the specific interaction of a protein or other molecule with chitin, a linear polymer of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues. This interaction is mediated by the presence of a chitin-binding domain (CBD) within the protein, which typically consists of a specific sequence of amino acids that binds to chitin with high affinity. The CBD can recognize and bind to chitin in various forms, including crystalline chitin, amorphous chitin, and chitin oligomers.
Chitin binding plays a critical role in a wide range of biological processes, including:
* **Cell wall formation:** Chitin is a major structural component of fungal cell walls and the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as insects and crustaceans. CBD-containing proteins, such as chitin synthases and chitinases, are involved in the synthesis, modification, and degradation of chitin in these organisms.
* **Immune recognition:** The interaction of chitin with immune system receptors, such as the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), triggers innate immune responses against fungal and arthropod pathogens.
* **Bioadhesion:** Some organisms, such as barnacles, use chitin-binding proteins to adhere to surfaces.
* **Bioremediation:** CBD-containing enzymes, such as chitinases, can be used to degrade chitinous waste materials, such as crustacean shells.
The molecular mechanism of chitin binding involves a combination of hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions between the CBD and the GlcNAc residues of chitin. The specific amino acid sequence and structural features of the CBD determine its binding affinity and specificity for chitin.
Chitin binding is a highly conserved function across different species, and CBDs have been identified in a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. The study of chitin binding has important implications for understanding biological processes, developing new biomaterials, and designing novel therapeutic strategies.'
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| Protein | Definition | Taxonomy |
|---|---|---|
| Acidic mammalian chitinase | An acidic mammalian chitinase that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q9BZP6] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Fibrinogen C domain-containing protein 1 | A fibrinogen C domain-containing protein 1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q8N539] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Chitotriosidase-1 | A chitotriosidase-1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q13231] | Homo sapiens (human) |
| Compound | Definition | Classes | Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| acetic acid | acetic acid : A simple monocarboxylic acid containing two carbons. Acetic Acid: Product of the oxidation of ethanol and of the destructive distillation of wood. It is used locally, occasionally internally, as a counterirritant and also as a reagent. (Stedman, 26th ed) | monocarboxylic acid | antimicrobial food preservative; Daphnia magna metabolite; food acidity regulator; protic solvent |
| acetazolamide | Acetazolamide: One of the CARBONIC ANHYDRASE INHIBITORS that is sometimes effective against absence seizures. It is sometimes useful also as an adjunct in the treatment of tonic-clonic, myoclonic, and atonic seizures, particularly in women whose seizures occur or are exacerbated at specific times in the menstrual cycle. However, its usefulness is transient often because of rapid development of tolerance. Its antiepileptic effect may be due to its inhibitory effect on brain carbonic anhydrase, which leads to an increased transneuronal chloride gradient, increased chloride current, and increased inhibition. (From Smith and Reynard, Textbook of Pharmacology, 1991, p337) | monocarboxylic acid amide; sulfonamide; thiadiazoles | anticonvulsant; diuretic; EC 4.2.1.1 (carbonic anhydrase) inhibitor |
| theophylline | dimethylxanthine | adenosine receptor antagonist; anti-asthmatic drug; anti-inflammatory agent; bronchodilator agent; drug metabolite; EC 3.1.4.* (phosphoric diester hydrolase) inhibitor; fungal metabolite; human blood serum metabolite; immunomodulator; muscle relaxant; vasodilator agent | |
| caffeine | purine alkaloid; trimethylxanthine | adenosine A2A receptor antagonist; adenosine receptor antagonist; adjuvant; central nervous system stimulant; diuretic; EC 2.7.11.1 (non-specific serine/threonine protein kinase) inhibitor; EC 3.1.4.* (phosphoric diester hydrolase) inhibitor; environmental contaminant; food additive; fungal metabolite; geroprotector; human blood serum metabolite; mouse metabolite; mutagen; plant metabolite; psychotropic drug; ryanodine receptor agonist; xenobiotic | |
| kinetin | cytokinin : A phytohormone that promote cell division, or cytokinesis, in plant roots and shoots. kinetin : A member of the class of 6-aminopurines that is adenine carrying a (furan-2-ylmethyl) substituent at the exocyclic amino group. Kinetin: A furanyl adenine found in PLANTS and FUNGI. It has plant growth regulation effects. | 6-aminopurines; furans | cytokinin; geroprotector |
| pentoxifylline | oxopurine | ||
| 8-chlorotheophylline | organochlorine compound; purines | central nervous system stimulant | |
| acetylgalactosamine | Acetylgalactosamine: The N-acetyl derivative of galactosamine. | N-acetyl-D-hexosamine; N-acetylgalactosamine | Escherichia coli metabolite; human metabolite; mouse metabolite |
| n-acetylalanine | N-acetyl-L-alanine : An N-acetyl-L-amino acid that is L-alanine in which one of the hydrogens attached to the nitrogen is replaced by an acetyl group. N-acetylalanine: immunodominant determinant of acidic surface antigen from culture filtrate of human strain of Staph aureus | L-alanine derivative; N-acetyl-L-amino acid | human metabolite; Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite |
| allosamidin | allosamidin: Anti-Asthmatic | ||
| acetylglucosamine | N-acetyl-D-hexosamine; N-acetylglucosamine | bacterial metabolite | |
| argadin | argadin: a chitinase inhibitor, produced by Clonostachys sp. FO-7314; structure in first source | ||
| argifin | argifin: possible lead insecticide; isolated from Gliocladium; structure in first source |