Expression of two cDNAs encoding class I chitinases of rice in Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT

Two cDNAs encoding class I chitinases of rice were expressed in Escherichia coli. The cDNAs were fused to the MS2-polymerase gene in an expression vector, pEx31. The fusion proteins, expressed under the control of the lambda PL-promoter, showed the chitinase activity independent of the existence of the hevein domain. The enzymatic hydrolysis of colloidal chitin by the fusion proteins showed that the proteins were endo-type enzymes.