High level expression of the chitosanase from Streptomyces sp.N174 and study of its intramolecular interactions

Chitosan, a natural polymer derived from chitin possesses several properties depending on its degree of polymerization. The molecular weight of chitosan can be controlled by enzymatic hydrolysis using chitosanases. Stable enzymes produced by efficient expression systems are needed to fulfill the needs of chitosan hydrolysis at an industrial scale. The knowledge on the structure-function relationships of the chitosanases will open the way to rational approaches of improvement of enzyme thermostability. The article describes recent developments in chitosanase studies, focusing on the properties of the chitosanase from Streptomyces sp. N174.