In vitro Chitin Binding Assay

Abstract

Chitin is polymer of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) found in the exoskeleton of arthropods and the fungal cell wall. GlcNAc is also implicated in bacterial development, adherence, and signal transduction but can also be used as a carbon source. In vitro chitin binding assay is performed to determine the affinity of a purified protein to the chitin molecule. The principle is based on the co-sedimentation of chitin-binding proteins together with chitin-coated beads.