The molecular biology of chitin digestion.

Chitinases catalyze the hydrolysis of chitin, an unbranched polymer of beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosamine. In recent years, soil-borne microorganisms that produce chitinases are considered as potential biocontrol agents against fungi and nematodes which causes diseases of agricultural crops. Chitinases also play an important physiological and ecological role in ecosystems as recyclers of chitin, by generating carbon and nitrogen sources. Many chitinases of varied organisms have been isolated and their corresponding genes cloned.