Team:Northwestern/Project/Chitin Synthesis

From 2010.igem.org


Tech Institute
Home Brainstorm Team Acknowledgements Project Human Practices Parts Notebook Calendar Protocol Safety Links References Media Contact

Modeling Chassis Induction Chitin Apoptosis


Chitin is an abundant biopolymer found primarily in the exoskeletons of arthropods, including many insects and crustaceans. Composed of N-acetylglucosamine monomers (Figure 1), it functions analogously to keratin in mammalian skin, providing a support matrix for the protective outer surface of these animals. Similarly, most fungi produce chitin in their cell walls for structural support. Chitin production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae depends on a series of enzymatic steps (Figure 2).
alt text
Figure 1 Chitin molecular structure.
Source: Wikipedia - Chitin

One enzyme in this pathway, chitin synthase 3 (CHS3), was previously found to be among the most active chitin sythases in the chitin synthase family of enzymes and does not require additional cofactors to function. As a result, we use CHS3 as the chitin production mechanism in our inducible system (BBa_K418007).
alt text
Figure 2 Chitin synthesis pathway.
Adapted from Figure 3.1 of Chitin: Fulfilling a Biomaterials Promise by Eugene Khor.


Chitin has many applications, particularly in medicine and industry. Currently, nearly all chitin is obtained from natural sources (i.e. shells of crustaceans). Thus, a method of recombinant chitin production may have commercial applications. Several examples of chitin usage are listed below:

SIGNIFICANCE OF CHITIN:

Medicinal Use:

  • Wound and burn treatment/healing
  • Hemostasis for orthopedic treatment of broken bones
  • Viscoelastic solutions for ophthamology and orthopedic surgery
  • Abdominal adhesion treatment
  • Antibacterial and antifungal agents
  • Tumor therapies
  • Microsurgery and neurosurgery
  • Treatment of chronic wounds, ulcers and bleeding (chitin powder)

Industrial Use:

  • Food/Pharmaceutical/Agricultural/Cosmetic thickener, stabilizer
  • Agricultural protection
  • Water resistant properties
  • Dietary supplement
  • Water purification
  • Edible microcrystalline films used to preserve food
  • Sequestering of particles (i.e. oil)
  • Biodegradable/non-pollutant