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chitinase |
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chitinase [′kīt·ən‚ās] (biochemistry) An externally secreted digestive enzyme produced by certain microorganisms and invertebrates that hydrolyzes chitin. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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The enzyme is known as a chitinase because it breaks down the complex sugar chitin, a tough molecule found in the cell walls of fungi, the surface of parasitic worms, and the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans. Aldwinckle's goal: to strengthen McIntosh trees by giving them a protective gene that includes an enzyme (a special protein in cells that causes chemical reaction), called chitinase (KY-tin-ays). Among the genes that kicked into higher activity in vetch-mulched plants are a gene for chitinase, an enzyme that chews up the cell walls of attacking fungi, and a gene for osmotin, another defensive compound. |
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