Plant Chitinases: Molecular Structure, Importance and Utilizations

Abstract

Chitinase proteins are extensively distributed throughout various biological systems. Plant chitinases
are found in the GH18 and GH19 families of the glycoside hydrolase gene family. Based on structure, substrate
specifty, amino acid sequence similarity, mechanisms of catalysis and sensitivity to inhibitors, plant chitinases are
classifed into seven classes (I–VII). The most important chitinases are pathogenesis-related proteins which class
I, II, IV, VI and VII are found in the GH19 family. In general, plant chitinases are produced by plants as an answer
to pathogens and abiotic factors. They develop antifungal, antibacterial, insecticidal, nematicidal, and antiviral
defence mechanisms in plants. Kitinases are transferred into commercially important plants via gene engineering
applications. In this way, resistant transgenic plants are being developed counter to biotic and abiotic effects. In this
review is giving information about the properties, importance and applications of plant chitinases.

Keywords

• Chitinases,plant defense,pathogen,genetic engineering

Bitki Kitinazları: Moleküler Yapıları, Önemleri ve Kullanımları

Abstract

Kitinaz proteinleri biyolojik sistemlerde doğada yaygın şekilde bulunurlar. Bitki kitinazları, glikozid
hidrolaz gen ailesinden GH18 ve GH19 aileleri içerisinde yer almaktadır. Yedi sınıfa (I-VII) ayrılan bitki kitinazları,
yapıları, amino asit dizi benzerlikleri, substrat spesifteleri, kataliz mekanizmaları ve inhibitör hassasiyetlerine
göre birbirlerinden farklılaşırlar. GH19 ailesinde bulunan sınıf I, II, IV, VI ve VII kitinazlarının en önemlileri
patojen bağlantılı proteinlerden oluşmaktadır. Genel olarak bitki kitinazları patojenlere ve abiyotik faktörlere
yanıt olarak bitkiler tarafından üretilirler. Bunlar, bitkilerde antifungal, antibakteriyel, insektisidal, nematisidal ve
antiviral savunma mekanizmaları geliştirirler. Kitinazlar, gen mühendisliği uygulamaları aracılığıyla ticari öneme
sahip bitkilere aktarılmaktadır. Böylece, biyotik ve abiyotik etkilere karşı dirençli bitkiler geliştirilmektedir. Bu
derlemede, bitki kitinazlarının özellikleri, önemleri ve kullanımları hakkında bilgiler verilmiştir.

Keywords

• Kitinazlar,bitki savunma,patojen,genetik mühendislik

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