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Entamoeba invadens: Cloning and molecular characterization of chitinases
Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amebiasis infects through its cyst form and this transmission may be blocked using encystation specific protein as drug target. In this study, we have characterized the enzyme chitinase which express specifically during encystation. The reptilian parasit...
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Published in: | Experimental parasitology 2009-11, Vol.123 (3), p.244-249 |
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Main Authors: | , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amebiasis infects through its cyst form and this transmission may be blocked using encystation specific protein as drug target. In this study, we have characterized the enzyme chitinase which express specifically during encystation. The reptilian parasite
Entamoeba invadens, used as a model for encystation study contain three chitinases. We report the molecular cloning, over-expression and biochemical characterization of all three
E. invadens chitinase. Cloned chitinases were over-expressed in bacterial system and purified by affinity chromatography. Their enzymatic profiles and substrate cleaving patterns were characterized. All of them showed binding affinity towards insoluble chitin though two of them lack the chitin binding domain. All the chitinases cleaved and released dimmers from the insoluble substrate and act as an exochitinase. Homology modeling was also done to understand the substrate binding and cleavage pattern. |
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ISSN: | 0014-4894 1090-2449 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.exppara.2009.07.008 |