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Characterization of a Chitinase (Chit62) from Serratia marcescens B4A and Its Efficacy as a Bioshield Against Plant Fungal Pathogens

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Abstract

Chitinases have been suggested to be involved in pathogen–antagonist interaction during biological control progress of plant pathogenic fungi. Here, a recombinant bacterial chitinase originally from Serratia marcescens B4A was produced, purified, and assayed biochemically to ascertain the activity and determine the kinetics parameters. Active enzyme was used to determine its biocontrol features against fungal phytopathogens. The results demonstrated that the optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme activity were 6.0 and 55 °C, respectively. The K m and V max values were 3.30 mg ml−1 and 0.92 units, respectively. The recombinant chitinase was demonstrated to be highly active in controlling fungal pathogens.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the International Foundation for Science (IFS), COMSTECH (Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation) Grant no. F/4900-1, and NIGEB (Grant no. 388) for financial support of this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Shahrak-e Pajoohesh, Km 15 Tehran-Karaj Highway, PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran

    S. Babashpour, S. Aminzadeh, A. Karkhane & K. Haghbeen

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    S. Babashpour

  3. Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran

    N. Farrokhi

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  1. S. Babashpour
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  2. S. Aminzadeh
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  3. N. Farrokhi
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  4. A. Karkhane
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  5. K. Haghbeen
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Correspondence to S. Aminzadeh.

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Babashpour, S., Aminzadeh, S., Farrokhi, N. et al. Characterization of a Chitinase (Chit62) from Serratia marcescens B4A and Its Efficacy as a Bioshield Against Plant Fungal Pathogens. Biochem Genet 50, 722–735 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10528-012-9515-3

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