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A novel serum chitinase that is expressed in bovine liver
Author(s) -
Suzuki Masako,
Morimatsu Masami,
Yamashita Tetsuro,
Iwanaga Toshihiko,
Syuto Bunei
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(01)02893-9
Subject(s) - chitinase , chitin , gastrointestinal tract , biology , biochemistry , enzyme , human gastrointestinal tract , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , chitosan
Chitinases are ubiquitous chitin‐fragmenting hydrolases. They are synthesized by a vast array of organisms, including those not composed of chitin. Here, we describe a novel serum chitinase (chitin‐binding protein b04, CBPb04), which is expressed in bovine liver. Although CBPb04 is secreted as an endocrine chitinase, it shows higher homology with human gastrointestinal tract exocrine chitinase (AMCase) than with macrophage endocrine chitinase (human chitotriosidase). This suggests that cows have a specific defense against chitin‐containing microorganisms. CBPb04 mRNA is expressed in hepatocytes. This is the first report of a hepatogenic mammalian chitinase.