| Type: | Active_site | Name: | Glycoside hydrolase, chitinase active site |
| Description: | O-Glycosyl hydrolases () are a widespread group of enzymes that hydrolyse the glycosidic bond between two or more carbohydrates, or between a carbohydrate and a non-carbohydrate moiety. A classification system for glycosyl hydrolases, based on sequence similarity, has led to the definition of 85 different families [, ]. This classification is available on the CAZy (CArbohydrate-Active EnZymes) web site.Chitinases () [] are enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of the beta-1,4-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine linkages in chitin polymers. From the view point of sequence similarity chitinases belong to either family 18 or 19 in the classification of glycosyl hydrolases [].Chitinases of family 18 (also known as classes III or V) groups a variety of chitinases and other proteins. Site directed mutagenesis experiments [] and crystallographic data [, ] have shown that a conserved glutamate is involved in the catalytic mechanism and probably acts as a proton donor. This glutamate is the last residue of this active site signature. | Short Name: | Glyco_hydro_18_chit_AS |
