Synergistic Action of the Antifungal β-chitin Binding Protein CBP50 from Bacillus thuringiensis with Bacterial Chitinases

Purified chitin binding protein the CBP50 from Bacillus thuringiensis and three bacterial chitinases (Chi74, Chi39 and ChiA) from two different genome sources i.e. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Serratia proteamaculans, were used to study the crystalline chitin degradation using different combinations of chitinases with and without chitin binding protein CBP50. Overall 2-4 folds increase in enzymatic activity of all three chitinases was observed when used in combination with the CBP50. But the highest increase, 4.64 folds, was observed when combination Chi74+Chi39+CBP50 was used. Gene loci of all proteins involved in Bt-chitin degradation and protein association network were also analyzed. This is the first report of synergistic action of Bt-proteins on chitin degradation. Present study will lead us to develop a technology for environmental friendly conversion of chitin to valuable products.