Binomium chitin-chitinase; recent issues.

9781606923399

Binomium chitin-chitinase; recent issues.

Ed. by Salvatore Musumeci and Maurizio G. Paoletti.

Nova Science Publishers

2009

457 pages

$89.00

Hardcover

QP702

Chitinase is the biological response to chitin, the second most widespread bio-polymer in nature. Chitinase expression in humans is a useful clinical marker in the diagnosis of conditions in which innate immunity plays a role. This work collects 23 international articles in the field of chitin and chitinase research, from pioneering researchers. Some chapters explore the role of chitinase in nature, and speculate on the evolutionary relationships between chitin, chitinases, and chitinase-like proteins. Papers on the origin and genetics of human chitinases report on findings in the polymorphism of chitinases in human populations, and the Gaucher cell and chitotriosidase. Many chapters describe the role of chitin, chitinase, and chitotriosidase in conditions such as atherosclerosis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, neurological diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and asthma. One chapter is devoted to chitin and chitinase in anticancer research. B&w and color images are included. Musumeci is affiliated with the University of Sassari and the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council. Paoletti is affiliated with the University of Padova.

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