Impact of chitin-derived β-N-acetyl-d-glucosaminyl-(1,4)-d-glucosamine on chitinase upregulation in Shewanella baltica.

The first steps in chitin degradation in marine bacteria involve chitinase, which produces N,N′ -diacetylchitobiose (GlcNAc)2 from chitin. Moreover, in Vibrio bacteria, chitinase activity is enhanced by heterodisaccharide β- N -acetyl- d -glucosaminyl-(1,4)- d -glucosamine (GlcNAc–GlcN) produced from (GlcNAc)2 by chitin oligosaccharide deacetylase (COD). However, the role of COD in other marine bacteria, such as Shewanella , remains unexplored. This study investigates GlcNAc–GlcN's impact on chitinase gene expression and enzyme production in S. baltica ATCC BAA-1091, drawing parallels with Vibrio parahaemolyticus RIMD2210633. Using real-time quantitative PCR, the study assesses the upregulation of chitinase gene expression in S. baltica in response to GlcNAc–GlcN, informed by COD's known ability to produce GlcNAc–GlcN from (GlcNAc)2. In Vibrio , GlcNAc–GlcN considerably upregulates chitinase gene expression. This study posits a similar regulatory mechanism in S. baltica , with preliminary investigations indicating COD's capacity to produce GlcNAc–GlcN. This study highlights the importance of exploring GlcNAc–GlcN's regulatory role in chitin metabolism across diverse marine bacteria. The potential induction of chitinase production in S. baltica suggests broader ecological implications. Further research is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of chitin utilization and regulatory pathways in marine bacterial genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]