Purification and properties of plant chitinases: A review

Abstract

Easier susceptibility of plants toward vulnerable pathogens due to lack of an immune system necessitated evolution of different kind of responses priming the release of pathogenesis‐related (PR) defense proteins. With reference to attack of fungal pathogens, the lytic enzyme known as chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) could easily degrade the fungal cell wall chitin and played a crucial role in defending plants. In the present review, various chitinases purified from different plant sources with elaboration of their properties have been explored in detail. Purification studies of chitinases showed a diverse range of molecular mass (25–40 kDa), optimum pH (4.0–6.0), temperature (50–60°C), and kinetic parameters. Along with this, purified chitinases also showed strong antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi and nonpathogenic plant fungi. Practical applications The present review provides a single platform for all the purification protocols adopted for purification of plant chitinases in a single article. It results into simplification of study of plant chitinases purified from different parts of plants so far. For the readers, who want to be benefitted with the summarized study of plant chitinases and their properties, this review article fulfills their need and quite helpful in context of other review article. Along with this, the review emphasizes on the antifungal properties of plant‐purified chitinases and seems to be helpful for those who want to employ these chitinases as a biocontrol agent at larger scale in managing plant fungal diseases.

Defense response-like reaction associated with an anomaly in Eucalyptus grandis

“…The three gene families most representative in abnormal upregulated genes (class I chitinase, thaumatin family, and pathogenesis-related protein BET v1) play an important role in resistance against pathogens. Chitinases are enzymes that degrade chitin, a cell wall constituent of pathogenic fungi, thus playing a crucial role in plant defense against biotic stress (Flach et al 1992;Kasprzewska 2003;Kumar et al 2018;Malik 2019). In addition to gene upregulation in all tissues, abnormal plants showed a statistically significant presence of GO terms related to chitinase activity in the set of upregulated genes.…”

The potential of plant proteins as antifungal agents for agricultural applications

“…Chitinases are strongly induced when the host plants are under attack from pathogens and function as defense molecules against fungal infection [ 23 ]. These proteins inhibit fungal growth by lysing hyphal tips in fungi and break down chitin into its oligomers [ 24 ]. Chitinases display strong antifungal activity against a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi.…”

Distribution and Biotechnological Applications of Chitinase: A Review

“…Plant chitinases considered as pathogen related (PR) proteins, because they are produced in response to attack by the phytopathogens [60]. They are induced by growth regulators or elicitors such as chitooligosaccharides.…”