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A schematic diagram of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of chitinase genes into plants to generate transgenic plants with improved resistance against phytopathogenic pests and fungi
Source publication
The ability of chitinases to degrade the second most abundant polymer, chitin, into potentially useful chitooligomers and chitin derivatives has not only rendered them fit for chitinous waste management but has also made them important from industrial point of view. At the same time, they have also been recognized to have an imperative role as prom...
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Banana Fusarium wilt, which is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (FOC TR4), is one of the most serious fungal diseases in the banana-producing regions in east Asia. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gxun-2 could significantly inhibit the growth of FOC TR4. Strain Gxun-2 strongly inhibited the mycelial growth of FOC TR4 on dual culture...
Citations
... Chitinase enhances bioremediation at contaminated sites by breaking down chitin-rich pollutants into less toxic compounds, aiding microbial degradation (Akram et al. 2022b), which reduces harmful substances in soil and water, promoting environmental health. Chitin-based materials might absorb heavy metals harmful to ecosystems and health, which might be difficult to detect and remove; here, chitinase, being participatory in heavy metal resistance could degrade metal-bound chitin, releasing metals for easy access and removal. ...
Chitinases, enzymes that degrade chitin, have long been studied for their role in various biological processes. They play crucial roles in the moulting process of invertebrates, the digestion of chitinous food, and defense against chitin-bearing pathogens. Additionally, chitinases are involved in physiological functions in crustaceans, such as chitinous food digestion, moulting, and stress response. Moreover, chitinases are universally distributed in organisms from viruses to mammals and have diverse functions including tissue degradation and remodeling, nutrition uptake, pathogen invasion, and immune response regulation. The discovery of these diverse functions expands our understanding of the biological significance and potential applications of chitinases. However, recent research has shown that chitinases possess several other functions beyond just chitin degradation. Their potential as biopesticides, therapeutic agents, and tools for bioremediation underscores their significance in addressing global challenges. More importantly, we noted that they may be applied as bioweapons if ethical regulations regarding production, engineering and application are overlooked.
