(Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology) 1st ed. 2019 Edition
by Qing Yang (Editor), Tamo Fukamizo (Editor)
This book provides a comprehensive overview of chitin biology and
chitin metabolism related enzymes. Chitin, the second most abundant
biopolymer in nature after to cellulose, is a linear biopolymer composed
of β-1,4-linked N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), and an essential
component in the exoskeletons of insects, mites, ticks and crustaceans,
the egg shells of parasitic nematodes, and fungal cell walls. Although
some chitin-containing organisms are a threat to human health, food
safety and agricultural production, non-chitin containing organisms like
humans, mammals and plants have an innate immune response to these
hazardous organisms. The book provides researchers and students with
information on the recent research advances concerning the biology of
chitin-containing organisms as well as cross-talks between
chitin-containing and non-chitin-containing organisms. Highlighting
chitin remodeling enzymes and inhibitors, it also offers drug developers
essential insights into designing specific molecules for the control of
hazardous chitin-containing organisms.
