Team:Northwestern/Project/Chitin Synthesis
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- | + | 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).[[image:chitin_wikipedia.png|frame|right|alt=alt text|'''Figure 1''' Chitin molecular structure. <br /> Source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitin Wikipedia - Chitin]]] <br /> | |
- | + | 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 ([http://partsregistry.org/Part:BBa_K418007 BBa_K418007]). [[image:chitin synthesis small.jpg|frame|center|alt=alt text|'''Figure 2''' Chitin synthesis pathway. <br /> Adapted from Figure 3.1 of <u>Chitin: Fulfilling a Biomaterials Promise</u> by Eugene Khor.]]<br /> | |
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+ | 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''': | ||
+ | |||
+ | <u>Medicinal Use</u>: | ||
+ | |||
+ | *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) | ||
+ | |||
+ | <u>Industrial Use</u>: | ||
+ | |||
+ | *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 |
Latest revision as of 20:11, 25 October 2010
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