Chitin, the second most abundant biopolymer on earth after cellulose, is composed of β-1,4-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) units. It is widely distributed in nature, especially as a structural polysaccharide in the cell walls of fungi, the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, and nematodes. However, the principal commercial source of chitin is the shells of marine or freshwater invertebrates. Microbial chitinases are largely responsible for chitin breakdown in nature, and they play an important role in the ecosystem's carbon and nitrogen balance. Several microbial chitinases have been characterized and are gaining prominence for their applications in various sectors. The current review focuses on chitinases of microbial origin, their diversity, and their characteristics. The applications of chitinases in several industries such as agriculture, food, the environment, and pharmaceutical sectors are also highlighted.
- MeSH
- bezobratlí metabolismus MeSH
- chitin chemie metabolismus MeSH
- chitinasy * MeSH
- ekosystém * MeSH
- houby metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
CONTEXT: Bryostatins represent an important group of pharmaceutically promising substances. These compounds are produced by commensal microorganisms naturally occurring in marine invertebrates, mainly in bryozoans. The most frequently investigated substance is bryostatin-1, which is a highly oxygenated macrolide with a polyacetate backbone. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to summarize documented preclinical and clinical effects of bryostatin-class compounds. METHODS: A literature search was made of Medline and Web of Science databases in 2012. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Our review showed that bryostatins are potent agonists of protein kinase C. In addition to this, their significant antineoplastic activity against several tumor types has also been established and described. Bryostatin's anticancer activity has been proved against various cancer types. Moreover, significant results have been achieved by using bryostatin-1 in combination with other therapies, including combination with vaccine testing. Concerning other important properties that bryostatins possess, their ability to sensitize some resistant cells to chemotherapy agents, or immunoactivity and further stimulating growth of new neural connections, and enhancing effect on long-term memory are worth mentioning. In particular, some new bryostatin analogs could represent potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer and other diseases in future.
- MeSH
- bezobratlí metabolismus MeSH
- biologické přípravky chemie farmakologie MeSH
- bryostatiny chemie farmakologie MeSH
- klinické zkoušky jako téma MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nádory farmakoterapie patologie MeSH
- preklinické hodnocení léčiv MeSH
- proteinkinasa C účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- protinádorové látky chemie farmakologie MeSH
- vodní organismy metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
